1 Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the advice of the wicked,
or stand in the pathway with sinners,
or sit in the assembly of mockers.
2 But his delight is in the law of Yahweh,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water
that produces its fruit in its season,
whose leaves do not wither;
whatever he does will prosper.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like the chaff that the wind drives away.
5 So the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For Yahweh approves of the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
Psalm 1 is usually considered to be a "wisdom psalm," which gives advice to those who hear it read or sung. (See: wise)
A main theme in this psalm is what it means to be blessed. Here "blessed" refers to anyone who is well off because of a good relationship to God. The contrasting theme is that there are ungodly people, those who refuse to honor God. (See: bless and godly)
There are several words in this psalm for those who oppose God: "the wicked" (those who do evil), "sinners" (those who ignore God's law), and "mockers" (those who mock God and the righteous people). (See: evil, sin and lawofmoses and righteous)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
The "advice of the wicked" is spoken of as if it were a path to follow. Alternate translation: "who does not follow the advice of the wicked" or "who does not do what wicked people advise"
Here the word "pathway" represents the way people live. The word "stand" is in parallel with "walk." Alternate translation: "imitate the behavior of sinful people"
Sitting with people who mock God represents joining people who mock God. Alternate translation: "or join those who mock God" or "or mock God with others who mock him"
The word "delight" is an abstract noun that can be stated as a verb. A person who can "delight ... in the law" is happy because the law is good and because one is obeying it. Alternate translation: "what makes him truly happy is the law of Yahweh" or "what makes him truly happy is to know that he is obeying the law of Yahweh"
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament. See the translationWord page about Yahweh concerning how to translate this.
This passage introduces an elaborate image in which a righteous person is thought of in terms of a flourishing tree.
In the Bible, people are often spoken of as trees. People who delight in Yahweh's law can do all God wants them to do just as a tree that is planted by water produces good fruit. Alternate translation: "He will be prosperous like a tree ... fruit in its season"
A tree that is planted by a stream can get enough water to be healthy.
Healthy trees produce good fruit at the right time.
If a tree gets enough water, its leaves do not dry out and die.
"He will be successful at whatever he does"
How they are not like that can be stated clearly. "The wicked are not prosperous" or "The wicked do not prosper"
How they are like chaff can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "but are worthless like the chaff"
Possible meanings are 1) not standing in the judgment is a metonym for being judged by God and having to leave his presence. Alternate translation: "will not continue to stay before God when he judges them" or "will have to leave God's presence when he judges them as guilty" or 2) not standing in the judgment is a metaphor for being condemned in the judgment. "Alternate translation: "will be condemned in the judgment" or "will be condemned when God judges them"
The noun judgment can be expressed as a verb. This probably refers to the final judgment when God judges all people. Alternate translation: "when God judges everyone"
Translators can supply the verb "stand." Alternate translation: "neither will sinners stand in the assembly of the righteous" or "and sinners will not stand in the assembly of the righteous"
Being accepted by God as righteous is spoken of as standing with the group of righteous people. Alternate translation: "and God will not accept sinners along with the righteous people"
These two clauses contrast what happens to righteous people with what happens to wicked people.
How people live is spoken of as if it were a "way" or "road" that they are walking on. Alternate translation: "how the righteous live"
How people live and what they do is spoken of as if it were a "way" or "road" that they walk on. Possible meanings are 1) the way perishing represents the wicked perishing because of how they live. Alternate translation: "The wicked will die because of how they live" or 2) the way perishing is a metaphor for no longer being able to live the way they do. Alternate translation: "the wicked will no longer be able to live the way they live"
1 Why are the nations in turmoil,
and why do the peoples devise vain plans?
2 The kings of the earth take their stand together
and the rulers take counsel together
against Yahweh and against his Messiah, saying,
3 "Let us tear off the shackles they put on us
and throw off their chains."
4 He who sits in the heavens will sneer at them;
the Lord mocks them.
5 Then he will speak to them in his anger
and terrify them in his rage, saying,
6 "I myself have set my king in place
on Zion, my holy mountain."
7 I will announce a decree of Yahweh.
He said to me, "You are my son!
This day I have become your Father.
8 Ask me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance
and the ends of the earth for your possession.
9 You will break them with an iron rod;
like a jar of a potter, you will smash them to pieces."
10 So now, you kings, be prudent;
be corrected, you judges of the earth.
11 Worship Yahweh in fear
and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the son or he will be angry with you,
and you will die in the way when his anger burns for just a moment.
How blessed are all those who seek refuge in him.
Psalm 2 is usually considered a royal psalm because it is about the king. It was probably first sung when a new person became the king. It is often thought to be about the Messiah because of verse 6 and 7 reference the Son of God. (See: christ and sonofgod)
The main theme of this psalm is that God is protecting and empowering the king he has appointed and that it is useless for the foreign nations to oppose God and his king.
"Today I have begotten you" here is a metaphor meaning that God acknowledges the king as his special person.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
These questions are used to show surprise that the people are doing things that are so wrong and foolish. Alternate translation: "The nations are in turmoil and the peoples are devising vain plans."
This probably means that the nations were making a noisy and angry commotion.
This represents either the leaders or the people of the nations.
These are probably plots against God and his people.
These two clauses have similar meanings.
These phrases have similar meanings, implying that the leaders stand together in order to fight against Yahweh and his Messiah. This can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: "gather to fight ... plan together to revolt"
The people of other nations speak of Yahweh and the Messiah's rule over them as if it were shackles and chains. Alternate translation: "We should free ourselves from their control; we should not let them rule over us any longer"
These phrases refer to Yahweh. Yahweh is often called "the Lord" but the words for "Yahweh" and "the Lord" are different.
Here sitting represents ruling. What he sits on can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "rules in the heavens" or "sits on his throne in heaven"
"the Lord mocks those people." Why he mocks them can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "The Lord mocks them for their foolish plans"
The abstract noun "rage" can be stated as "furious." Alternate translation: "he will be furious and terrify them"
greatly frighten
Yahweh is emphasizing that he, and not someone else, has set his king in place.
"appointed my king to rule"
The person saying this is the king. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "The king says, 'I will announce a decree of Yahweh.' He"
"Yahweh said to me"
Among many peoples in that part of the world then, men could decide to legally adopt children, who would become their heirs. Here Yahweh adopts a man and makes him king of Israel. Alternate translation: "I make you my son. This day I have become your Father" or "Now you are my son and am your Father"
Yahweh continues speaking to the new king of Israel.
These phrases express very similar ideas.
"the lands that are very far away"
These phrases express very similar ideas.
Defeating the nations is spoken of as breaking them, and his power is spoken of as an iron rod. Alternate translation: "You will defeat them completely by your power"
Destroying nations is spoken of as if they could be smashed like a clay jar. Alternate translation: you will completely destroy them like a clay pot"
A potter is a person who makes clay pots and jars. These are fragile and can be broken easily. Alternate translation: "a clay jar" or "a clay pot"
This can be stated with an active form. Alternate translation: "listen to this correction" or "take this correction"
"powerful people who govern the nations on earth"
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People would show their king that they were loyal to him by kissing him, perhaps on the feet. Alternate translation: "Show the son that you are truly loyal to him" or "Bow down humbly before his son"
This may refer to dying right there, before the person has a chance to go away. Alternate translation: "you will die immediately"
The king's anger is spoken of as if it were a fire that could burn. Alternate translation: "when he suddenly becomes very angry"
Asking the king for protection is spoken of as seeking refuge in him. Alternate translation: "ask the king to protect them"
1 Yahweh, how many are my enemies!
Many have risen against me.
2 Many say about me,
"There is no deliverance for him from God." Selah
3 But you, Yahweh, are a shield around me,
my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.
4 I lift up my voice to Yahweh,
and he answers me from his holy hill. Selah
5 I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for Yahweh protected me.
6 I will not be afraid of the multitudes of people
who have set themselves against me on every side.
7 Rise up, Yahweh! Save me, my God!
For you will hit all my enemies on the jaw;
you will break the teeth of the wicked.
8 Salvation comes from Yahweh.
May your blessings be on your people. Selah
Psalm 3 is a psalm of deliverance. It is a morning song intended to be sung in the temple accompanied by musical instruments during morning worship. (See: temple)
Although the psalmist has many enemies and is saying he is without help, God is protecting him and delivering him from danger.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
Possible meanings are 1) David wrote the psalm or 2) the psalm is about David or 3) the psalm is in the style of David's psalms.
This exclamation shows that David is afraid of his enemies. Alternate translation: "Oh Yahweh, I have so many enemies!"
Fighting against someone is spoken of as rising against him. Alternate translation: "come against me"
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A shield protects a soldier. David speaks as if God were a shield protecting him. Alternate translation: "you, Yahweh, protect me like a shield"
"you are my glory." By calling God his glory, David says that God is the one who gives him glory. Since David has just spoken about his enemies and God being his protector, he probably meant that God gives him glory by giving him victory over his enemies. Alternate translation: "you are the one who gives me glory" or "you are the one who gives me victory"
"you are the one who lifts up my head." Giving someone courage is spoken of as lifting up his head. Alternate translation: "the one who encourages me"
Using one's voice to cry out is spoken as as lifting up his voice. Alternate translation: "I cry out"
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"have surrounded me to destroy me"
David speaks of starting to do something as getting up. Alternate translation: "Take action" or "Do something"
These phrases say very similar things. The phrases "my enemies" and "the wicked" refer to the same group of people.
This was a way of insulting people. David speaks as if Yahweh would come and physically hit his enemies. Alternate translation: "For you will insult all my enemies like someone hitting them on the jaw"
Animals attack with their teeth. Breaking their teeth takes away their power to attack. David speaks as if Yahweh would come and physically fight against the wicked. Alternate translation: "you will make the wicked unable to harm me like someone breaking the teeth of a ferocious animal"
The abstract noun "salvation" can be expressed with the verb "save." Alternate translation: "Yahweh saves his people"
1 Answer me when I call, God of my righteousness;
give me room when I am hemmed in.
Have mercy on me and listen to my prayer.
2 You people, how long will you turn my honor into shame?
How long will you love what is worthless and seek after lies? Selah
3 But know that Yahweh has set apart the faithful ones for himself.
Yahweh will hear when I call to him.
4 Tremble in fear, but do not sin!
Meditate in your heart on your bed and be silent. Selah
5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness
and put your trust in Yahweh.
6 Many say, "Who will show us anything good?"
Yahweh, lift up the light of your face on us.
7 You have given my heart more gladness
than others have when their grain and new wine abound.
8 It is in peace that I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, Yahweh, make me safe and secure.
Psalm 4 is a psalm of deliverance. It is an evening song, intended to be sung in the temple accompanied by musical instruments during evening worship. (See: deliverer and temple)
God protects all those who truly trust in him for protection. (See: trust)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
"people should play stringed instruments with this song"
"Respond to me when I call" or "Help me when I call"
"God, who shows that I am righteous"
Being in danger is spoken of as being in a narrow space. Alternate translation: "rescue me when I am in danger"
David sings this part of the song as if he is speaking to his enemies.
David uses this question to rebuke his enemies. Alternate translation: "You people continually turn my honor into shame!"
Shaming him instead of honoring him is spoken of as making his honor become shame. Alternate translation: "shame me instead of honoring me" or "bring me shame when you should be honoring me"
David uses this question to rebuke his enemies. Alternate translation: "You continue to love things that are worthless and seek after lies."
These two phrases are very similar in meaning. The lies are worthless. Alternate translation: "love worthless lies"
"Yahweh chooses godly people for himself"
The relationship between "tremble" and "fear" and who people should fear can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "Fear Yahweh so much that you tremble" or "Stand in awe of Yahweh"
shake from fear
The heart represents a person's thoughts. Thinking carefully is spoken of as meditating in one's heart. Alternate translation: "Think carefully"
"Offer the right sacrifices"
Here "trust" is spoken of as if it were an object that could be put somewhere. The abstract noun "trust" can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: "trust in Yahweh" or "trust Yahweh"
This question is used either to ask for something or to express a wish about something that has not happened. Alternate translation: "Please show us something good!" or "We wish someone would show us something good!"
Possible meanings are 1) showing something good represents bringing good things. Alternate translation: "Who will bring good things to us?" or 2) showing something good represents saying that good things have happened. Alternate translation: "Who will say that anything good has happened?"
The writer speaks of Yahweh acting favorably towards them as if Yahweh's face shone a light on them. Alternate translation: "act favorably towards us"
The heart represents the person. Alternate translation: "You have given me more gladness"
Here "gladness" is spoken of as if it is an object that can be given. The abstract noun "gladness" can be stated as "glad." Alternate translation: "You have made me more glad than others are"
"New wine" may represent grapes. Alternate translation: "when they reap plentiful harvests of grain and grapes"
Peace is spoken of as if it were a place. This can be restated to remove the abstract noun "peace." Alternate translation: "I will be peaceful when I lie down and sleep" or "I will not be afraid of danger when I lie down and sleep"
The words "safe" and "secure" mean basically the same thing and emphasize complete safety. Alternate translation: "make me completely safe"
1 Give ear to my words, Yahweh;
think about my groanings.
2 Listen to the sound of my call, my King and my God,
for it is to you that I pray.
3 Yahweh, in the morning you hear my cry;
in the morning I will bring my petition to you and wait expectantly.
4 Certainly you are not a God who takes pleasure in evil;
evil people will not be your guests.
5 The arrogant will not stand in your presence;
you hate all who behave wickedly.
6 You will destroy liars;
Yahweh abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.
7 But as for me, because of your great covenant faithfulness,
I will come into your house;
in reverence I will bow down toward your holy temple.
8 Oh Lord, lead me in your righteousness because of my enemies;
make your path straight before me.
9 For there is no truth in their mouth;
their inward being is wicked;
their throat is an open tomb;
they flatter with their tongue.
10 Declare them guilty, God;
may their schemes be their downfall!
Drive them out for their many transgressions,
for they have rebelled against you.
11 But may all those who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them always shout for joy because you defend them;
let them be joyful in you, those who love your name.
12 For you will bless the righteous, Yahweh;
you will surround them with favor as with a shield.
Psalm 5 is a psalm of deliverance. Notice how the psalmist both praises God and asks him for help in defeating the wicked. It was intended to be sung accompanied by flutes. (See: deliverer and evil)
God does not help people who do evil but he blesses those who are good and trust in him. (See: bless and trust)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
"This song should be accompanied by people who play wind instruments."
This is a call for help. Alternate translation: "Listen to me as I call to you for help"
low sounds that people make with the voice when they are suffering
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These two phrases are very similar in meaning.
"I will make my request" or "I will ask you for what I need"
"wait, expecting you to do what I ask you to do"
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Since David is speaking to God in this psalm, this sentence can be stated with the word "you." Alternate translation: "Yahweh, you abhor"
The phrase "the man" here refers to any person. Alternate translation: "anyone who kills or deceives others"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "because you are faithful to your covenant"
This refers to God's temple. Alternate translation: "your temple"
David speaks of righteousness as if it were a path and of teaching as leading. The phrase "your righteousness" means that God is righteous Alternate translation: "teach me to do what is righteous as you do"
David speaks of righteousness as if it were a path. A straight path is easy to see or walk on. Alternate translation: "show me clearly how to live in the right way" or "make it easy for me to do what is right"
David talks about his enemies.
Truth being in the mouth represents speaking truthfully. Alternate translation: "For they never say what is true"
The inward being represents people's thoughts and desires. Alternate translation: "their thoughts and desires are wicked"
The throat represents people's speech. Alternate translation: "their speech" or "what they say"
Their throat is spoken of as if it were an open tomb, ready for dead bodies to put into it. Possible meanings are 1) "they say that they will kill people" or 2) "What they say kills people"
"they say nice things about people without really meaning it"
The tongue represents what people say.
"may their schemes cause them to experience disasters" or "may they become less important because of their schemes"
plans to harm people
This is something that causes a person to experience disasters or to lose power. Experiencing disaster or becoming less important is spoken of as falling.
God is spoken of as if he were a refuge, a place where people can be protected. Alternate translation: "May all those who go to you for protection rejoice"
These two clauses express similar thoughts.
Going to Yahweh for protection is spoken of as taking refuge in him. Alternate translation: "go to you for protection"
God's name represents him. Alternate translation: "those who love you"
God's favor is spoken of as if it were a shield. Alternate translation: "you will favor them and protect them as a soldier protects himself with his shield" or "because you are kind to them, you will protect them
1 Yahweh, do not rebuke me in your anger
or discipline me in your wrath.
2 Have mercy on me, Yahweh, for I am frail;
heal me, Yahweh, for my bones are shaking.
3 My soul also is very troubled.
But you, Yahweh—how long will this continue?
4 Return, Yahweh! rescue me.
Save me because of your covenant faithfulness!
5 For in death there is no remembrance of you.
In Sheol who will give you thanks?
6 I am weary with my groaning.
All night I drench my bed with tears;
I dissolve my couch with my tears.
7 My eyes grow dim from grief;
they grow weak because of all my adversaries.
8 Get away from me, all you who behave wickedly;
for Yahweh has heard the sound of my weeping.
9 Yahweh has heard my appeal for mercy;
Yahweh has accepted my prayer.
10 All my enemies will be ashamed and greatly troubled.
They will turn back and be suddenly humiliated.
Psalm 6 is a deliverance psalm: a call to God for help. (See: deliverer)
He is in deep trouble and needs God to help him in his difficult situation. But then God hears his prayer and scatters his enemies.
This psalm is written using first person making its perspective very personal. There are many uses of the first person in this Psalm.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
"people should play stringed instruments with this song"
This may refer to a style of music.
The bones represent the whole body. His body may have been shaking because he was sick or extremely tired. Alternate translation: "my whole body is shaking"
"terrified" or "worried"
David uses this question to show that he does not want to continue feeling weak and troubled. Alternate translation: please, do not let this continue!"
David speaks of God being kind to him as God returning to him. Alternate translation: "Yahweh, come back to me" or "Have mercy on me, Yahweh"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "Save me because you are faithful to your covenant"
These two sentences express similar meanings.
The abstract noun "remembrance" represents praise. Alternate translation: "For when people die, they no longer praise you"
David uses this question to emphasize that no one in Sheol thanks God. Alternate translation: "No one in Sheol will give you thanks!" or "The dead cannot praise you!"
His groaning represents the pain or distress that he feels. Alternate translation: "I am very tired because of my pain"
This is an exaggeration. Alternate translation: "I make my bed wet with my tears" or "I cry in my bed"
Possible meanings are 1) these are two words for the same thing or 2) the "couch" is the main cushion on the bed or 3) the "bed" is where he sleeps at night and the "couch" is another item of furniture.
This is an exaggeration. "My couch is very wet because of my tears" or "I cry hard when I am on my couch"
The ability to see is spoken of in terms of the eyes. Alternate translation: "My vision is blurry" or "I cannot see clearly"
Grief here represents crying. Alternate translation: "from crying" or "because I cry so much"
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These two lines have very similar meanings.
Being willing to do what David has prayed for is spoken of as accepting his prayer. Alternate translation: "Yahweh will respond to my prayer"
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1 Yahweh my God, I take refuge in you!
Save me from all who chase me, and rescue me.
2 Otherwise, they will rip me apart like a lion,
tearing me in pieces with no one else able to bring me to safety.
3 Yahweh my God, if I have done this,
and there is injustice on my hands—
4 if I have done evil to him who was at peace with me,
or harmed my enemy for no reason—
5 then let my enemy pursue my life and overtake me;
let him trample my life to the ground
and lay my honor in the dust. Selah
6 Arise, Yahweh, in your anger;
stand up against the rage of my enemies;
wake up for my sake and carry out the righteous decrees that you have commanded for them.
7 The peoples are assembled all around you;
take once more your rightful place over them.
8 Yahweh, judge the nations;
vindicate me, Yahweh, because I am righteous and innocent, Most High.
9 May the evil deeds of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous people,
righteous God, you who examine hearts and minds.
10 My shield comes from God,
the one who saves the upright in heart.
11 God is a righteous judge,
a God who is indignant each day.
12 If a person does not repent,
God will sharpen his sword
and will prepare his bow for battle.
13 He prepares to use deadly weapons against him;
he makes his arrows flaming shafts.
14 Think about the one who is pregnant with wickedness,
who conceives destructive plans, who gives birth to harmful lies.
15 He digs a pit and hollows it out
and then falls into the pit he has made.
16 His own destructive plans return to his own head,
for his violence comes down on his own head.
17 I will give thanks to Yahweh for his justice;
I will sing praise to the name of Yahweh Most High.
Psalm 7 is a deliverance psalm. (See: deliverer)
The author had not wronged anyone, yet his enemy was trying to attack him. But he knew that God would protect him.
Note the superscription and the specific circumstances. There is no other reference to this incident in the Scriptures. But there are references to David being opposed by those of the tribe of Benjamin during the time he was serving King Saul.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is a song that David wrote"
Going to Yahweh for protection is spoken of as taking refuge in him. Alternate translation: "go to you for protection!"
David speaks of his enemies attacking him as if they would rip his body apart and tear it in pieces as a lion would. Alternate translation: "they will violently kill me like a lion ripping apart its victim's body and tearing it in pieces" or "they will violently kill me"
"and no one else will be able to save me"
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The life represents the person. Alternate translation: "me"
This represents capturing him. Alternate translation: "capture me"
Here "my life" represents the writer. Alternate translation: "allow him to destroy me"
This refers to lying dead and unburied in disgrace.
Arising represents doing something or taking action. Alternate translation: "Do something in your anger" or "Be angry at my enemies and take action:
Fighting against people is spoken of as standing up against them. Alternate translation: "fight against the rage of my enemies" or "attack my enemies who rage against me"
Their rage represents their attacks. Alternate translation: "the attacks of my enemies" or "my enemies who attack me"
Waking up represents starting to do something or take action. Alternate translation: "Take action" or "Do something"
"for me" or "to help me"
Here the word "peoples" represents all of the armies that have gathered to attack.
Ruling people is spoken of as being over them. Yahweh's rightful place refers either to heaven or to ruling in general. Alternate translation: "Rule over them from heaven" or "Rule over them"
"show them that I am not guilty"
"make the righteous people strong" or "make the righteous people prosper"
The hearts and minds represent people's desires and thoughts. Alternate translation: "you who know our inner thoughts"
The word "shield" represents God's protection.
Who God is angry with can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: "a God who is angry with the wicked every day"
In verses 12 and 13, David speaks of God deciding to punish the wicked as if God were a warrior preparing to fight against them with weapons. Alternate translation: "God will take action against him like a warrior who sharpens his sword and prepares his bow for battle"
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David speaks of the things that a wicked person does as if the person were pregnant and wickedness was the baby. Alternate translation: "the wicked person. He makes plans to destroy people and produces harmful lies"
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Destruction and violence are spoken of as if they hit a person's head or fall down on it. Alternate translation: "His own destructive plans destroy him, for his violence attacks him" or "When he plans to destroy others, others destroy him; when he attacks others, others attack him"
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1 Yahweh our Lord, how magnificent is your name in all the earth,
you who reveal your glory in the heavens above.
2 Out of the mouth of babies and infants you have established praise [1]
because of your enemies,
so that you might silence both the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I look up at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
4 Of what importance is the human race that you notice them,
or mankind that you pay attention to them?
5 Yet you have made them only a little lower than the heavenly beings
and have crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You make him to rule over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under his feet:
7 all sheep and oxen,
and even the wild animals of the field,
8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
everything that passes through the currents of the seas.
9 Yahweh our Lord,
how magnificent is your name in all the earth!
Psalm 8 is a psalm of worship and praise to God. This was to be sung by a choir.
God has made awesome things in the universe and has exalted humans to be rulers over this creation. (See: exalt)
Psalms Psalm 8:4-6 is quoted in Hebrews 2:6-8, where it is applied to Jesus. (See: heaven and glory)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
This may refer to a style of music.
God's "name" represents his whole being. Alternate translation: "people all over the world know that you are very great"
Possible meanings are 1) praise is spoken of as a solid object that God takes out of babies' mouths and sets up as a defensive wall or 2) God has created the world so that true praise comes to him from babies. Alternate translation: "You have given babies and infants the ability to praise you" or "It is babies and infants who truly praise you"
God's fingers represent him. Alternate translation: "the heavens, which you have made"
These remarks have been expressed in the form of a question to add emphasis. Alternate translation: "It is amazing that you think about people and are concerned about them!"
Both of these phrases refer to people in general.
Glory and honor are spoken of as if they were crowns. The words "glory" and "honor" are similar in meaning. Alternate translation: "have given them glory and honor" or "have caused them to be like kings"
These two clauses express similar meanings.
"you make them ... under their feet." The words "him" and "his" here refer to people.
The hands represent what God has done. Alternate translation: "the things that you made"
Having authority to rule others or control things is spoken of as having them under one's feet. This means God gave people authority over all that he created. Alternate translation: "you have given him authority over all things"
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With this exclamation, David shows his joy and awe about how great God is. Alternate translation: "your name is wonderfully magnificent in all the earth" or "people in all the earth know how magnificent you are"
God's "name" represents him or his reputation. Alternate translation: "your reputation"
excellent, great
1 I will give thanks to Yahweh with my whole heart;
I will tell about all your marvelous deeds.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing praise to your name, Most High!
3 When my enemies turn back,
they stumble and perish before you.
4 For you have defended my just cause;
you sit on your throne, a righteous judge!
5 You rebuked the nations;
you have destroyed the wicked;
you have blotted out their name forever and ever.
6 The enemy crumbled like ruins
when you overthrew their cities.
All remembrance of them has perished.
7 But Yahweh remains forever;
he has established his throne for justice.
8 He will judge the world with righteousness,
and he will execute judgment for the nations with fairness.
9 Yahweh also will be a stronghold for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
10 Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, Yahweh, do not abandon those who seek you.
11 Sing praises to Yahweh, who rules in Zion;
tell the nations of his deeds.
12 For the God who avenges bloodshed remembers;
he does not forget the cry of the oppressed.
13 Have mercy on me, Yahweh; see my affliction by those who hate me,
you who can snatch me from the gates of death.
14 Oh, that I might proclaim all your praise.
In the gates of the daughter of Zion
I will rejoice in your salvation!
15 The nations have sunk down into the pit that they made;
their feet are caught in the net that they hid.
16 Yahweh has made himself known; he has executed judgment;
the wicked is ensnared by his own actions. Selah
17 The wicked are turned back and sent to Sheol,
all the nations that forget God.
18 For the needy will not always be forgotten,
nor will the hope of the oppressed be forever dashed.
19 Arise, Yahweh; do not let man win against you;
may the nations be judged in your sight.
20 Terrify them, Yahweh;
may the nations know that they are mere men. Selah
Psalm 9 is a psalm of praise.
God is a protector. He is all-powerful and his enemies cannot withstand him.
This psalm along with Psalm 10 form an acrostic. Which means that each unit begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
This psalm has a superscription but Psalm 10 doesn't. This fact and the acrostic nature of the two psalms has lead some scholars to believe these two psalms may have originally been written as one psalm.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
This may refer to a style of music.
Since this song is addressed to Yahweh, Yahweh can be referred to as "you." Alternate translation: "Yahweh, I will give thanks to you with all my heart"
The noun "deeds" can be expressed with the verb "do." Alternate translation: "all the marvelous things you do" or "all the marvelous things you have done"
Here God's name represents God. Alternate translation: "I will sing praise to you"
"retreat" or "flee in fear"
Kings had authority to judge people, and they would sit on their throne when they judged. David speaks as if God were an earthly king. Alternate translation: "you judge like a king who sits on his throne, and you are righteous"
Causing people to be forgotten is spoken of as blotting out their name. Alternate translation: "you have caused them to be forgotten as if their name was blotted out" or "no one will ever remember them again"
"erased"
The enemy is spoken of as if it were a city full of broken down buildings. Alternate translation: "Our enemies were destroyed"
"when you destroyed their cities"
Here "remembrance" is spoken of as if it were a living being that could die. Alternate translation: "All remembrance of them has stopped" or "There is no longer any remembrance of them"
The abstract noun "remembrance" can be expressed with the verb "remember." Alternate translation: "No one remembers them at all"
"Remain" probably represents sitting on the throne as king. Alternate translation: "Yahweh sits on his throne forever" or "Yahweh rules forever"
The phrase "his throne" represents God's rule. Possible meanings are 1) "He rules in order to judge people" or "He rules over people justly"
These two clauses express the same meaning.
Here "the world" refers to all the people in the world. Alternate translation: "He will judge all the people of the world righteously"
God is spoken of as if he were a place that people could go to for safety. Alternate translation: "Yahweh will also protect the oppressed" or "Yahweh will also provide safety for those who are oppressed"
Here the words "your name" represent God. Alternate translation: "Those who know you"
"do not forsake" or "do not leave"
"who is king in Jerusalem"
Here "the nations" represents the people of the nations.
What he remembers can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "For the God who avenges bloodshed remembers those who were killed" or "For God remembers those who were killed and he punishes the killers"
"He does not ignore the cry"
This can be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: "see how those who hate me oppress me" or "see how badly my enemies treat me"
Death is spoken of as if it were a city that had gates through which people enter it. If someone is near the gates of death, it means that he will die soon. Keeping someone from dying is spoken of as taking him away from the gates of that city. Alternate translation: "you who can rescue me from death" or "you who can keep me from dying"
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People dig pits so they can catch animals that fall into them. Here digging a pit represents making plans to destroy people. Alternate translation: "The nations are like people who dig a pit for others and then fall into it"
People hide nets so they can catch animals that get caught in them. Here hiding a net represents making plans to destroy people. Alternate translation: "they are like people who hide a net and get trapped in it"
Here "wicked" is a nominal adjective that refers to any wicked person. A wicked person acting to harm other people is spoken of as if the wicked person had made a trap and then fallen into it and been unable to escape. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "when a wicked person tries to harm other people, his actions will end up harming him"
"is trapped"
"rejected"
This refers to "the wicked."
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God will not always forget the needy" or "God will remember the needy"
Hopes are spoken of as if they were objects that could be broken or destroyed. Hopes being destroyed represents the things that people hope for never happening. Alternate translation: "and the oppressed will not hope forever without results" or "and someday what the oppressed hope for will happen"
Getting up represents starting to do something. Alternate translation: "Do something" or "Take action"
people
Here judging represents punishing. Alternate translation: "be punished"
Here sight represents presence. Alternate translation: "in your presence"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "judge the nations in your presence" or "take the nations into your presence and punish them"
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1 Why, Yahweh, do you stand far off?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
2 Because of their arrogance, wicked people chase the oppressed;
but please let the wicked be trapped by their own schemes that they have devised.
3 For the wicked person boasts of his deepest desires;
he blesses the greedy and insults Yahweh.
4 The wicked in the haughtiness of his face does not seek God.
All his thoughts are that there is no God.
5 He is secure at all times,
but your righteous decrees are too high for him;
he snorts at all his enemies.
6 He says in his heart," I will never fail;
throughout all generations I will not meet adversity."
7 His mouth is full of curses and lies and oppression;
under his tongue are mischief and evil.
8 He waits in ambush near the villages;
in the secret places he murders the innocent;
his eyes look for some helpless victim.
9 He lurks in secret like a lion in the thicket;
he lies in wait to catch the oppressed.
He catches the oppressed when he pulls in his net.
10 His victims are crushed and beaten down;
they fall into his strong nets.
11 He says in his heart, "God has forgotten;
he covers his face; he will never see it."
12 Arise, Yahweh! Lift up your hand, God!
Do not forget the oppressed.
13 Why does the wicked man reject God
and say in his heart, "You will not hold me accountable"?
14 You have taken notice, for you always see the one who inflicts the misery and sorrow.
The helpless entrusts himself to you;
you rescue the fatherless.
15 Break the arm of the wicked and evil man.
Make him account for his evil deeds,
which he thought you would not discover.
16 Yahweh is King forever and ever;
the nations are driven out of his land.
17 Yahweh, you have heard the needs of the oppressed;
you strengthen their heart, you listen to their prayer;
18 You defend the fatherless and the oppressed
so that no man on the earth will cause terror again.
Psalm 10 is a psalm of deliverance. (See: deliverer)
The wicked people are prospering and think that God does not care. They think that he is not involved in these affairs. They destroy the innocent. The godly need God to come to their rescue and to punish the wicked people for the evil that they are doing to the good people. (See: evil, innocent and godly and good)
As noted in the intro to the last psalm, this one is part of an acrostic poem. This psalm covers the last half on the Hebrew alphabet. It also does not have a superscription to introduce it. However, the psalms do separate well on the subjects they address. One addresses thanksgiving and praise whereas Psalm 10 is a lament. (See: lament)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
The speaker uses these questions to express his distress that God has not helped him. Alternate translation: "Yahweh, it seems as though you are far away from me and you hide from me whenever I am in trouble"
evil plans
This refers to wicked people in general. Alternate translation: "wicked people"
The noun "desires" can be expressed with the verb "want. "Alternate translation: "the things that he wants very much to do"
"greedy people"
This refers here to wicked people in general. Alternate translation: "the wicked person"
The word "face" here is a metonym for the person and how he thinks. Alternate translation: "has an arrogant attitude and" or "is proud and"
Seeking God represents either 1) asking God for help or 2) thinking about God and obeying him. Alternate translation: "does not ask God for help" or "does not think about God"
"He is safe at all times." He is not really safe, but he thinks that he is.
Something that is hard to understand is spoken of as if it were too high to reach. Alternate translation: "he cannot understand your righteous decrees"
People snort at their enemies when they think that their enemies are weak and worthless. Alternate translation: "he thinks that all his enemies are weak and worthless" or "he sneers at all his enemies"
This means that he blows air out noisily through his nose.
"The wicked man says"
This probably simply means "forever."
Experiencing adversity is spoken of as meeting it. Alternate translation: "I will not have any troubles"
What people say is spoken of as being in their mouth. Alternate translation: "He always curses people, tells lies, and threatens to harm people"
Here the tongue represents speaking. Alternate translation: or "what he says injures and destroys people" or "he speaks words that threaten and hurt people"
The word "he" refers to the wicked man.
The eyes represent him. Alternate translation: "he looks for some helpless victim"
This speaks of the wicked person as if he were a lion. Alternate translation: "He hides while he waits for the weak to walk near him, the same way a lion quietly waits in the bush for the animal it wants to attack"
This means to hide or wait with intent to harm or kill.
"lies down waiting" or "he hides and waits"
The writer speaks of the wicked person catching people as if he were a hunter using a net to catch animals. Alternate translation: "He catches the oppressed like a hunter that catches an animal in a net and drags it away"
The writer continues to speak of the wicked person catching people as if he were a hunter, his plans were nets, and the people were animals that fall into his net. Alternate translation: "his victims are caught by his plans like animals that fall into a hunter's strong nets"
The word "He" refers to the wicked person, and to wicked people in general.
Refusing to pay attention to what people do is spoken of as forgetting. Alternate translation: "God does not pay attention" or "God does not care about what I do"
Refusing to pay attention to what someone does is spoken of as covering one's face. Alternate translation: "God refuses to see what is happening"
"he will never see what I am doing" or "he does not care what I am doing" or "he will never punish me for what I am doing"
Starting to do something is spoken of as getting up. Alternate translation: "Do something"
Here lifting the hand to hit someone represents punishing him. Alternate translation: "Hit him hard" or "Punish the wicked person"
The speaker uses this question to show that he is very sad that wicked people do these things. Alternate translation: "Wicked people are always rejecting God and saying ... 'You will not hold me accountable.'"
"You will not require me to tell you why I do what I do." Holding someone accountable here represents punishing him. Alternate translation: "You will not punish me"
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Here "arm" represents power. Alternate translation: "Destroy the power of the wicked and evil man" or "Make the wicked and evil man weak"
These words have the same meaning. You can use one word to express both concepts.
Making someone account for his evil deeds represents punishing him. Alternate translation: "Punish him for the evil things he has done"
This can be stated in active form. "Yahweh forces the people of other nations to leave his land"
It is implied that the oppressed people cried out to God. Alternate translation: "when oppressed people cried out to you, you listened to them tell you what they need"
A strong heart represents courage, and making people's hearts strong represents encouraging them. Alternate translation: "you encourage them" or "you make them confident"
"no one ... will cause people to be afraid again"
1 I take refuge in Yahweh;
how will you say to me,
"Flee like a bird to the mountain"?
2 For see! The wicked prepare their bows.
They make ready their arrows on the strings
to shoot in the darkness at the upright in heart.
3 For if the foundations are ruined,
what can the righteous do?
4 Yahweh is in his holy temple;
his eyes watch, his eyes examine the children of mankind.
5 Yahweh examines both the righteous and the wicked,
but he hates those who love to do violence.
6 He rains burning coals and sulfur upon the wicked;
a scorching wind will be their portion from his cup!
7 For Yahweh is righteous, and he loves righteousness;
the upright will see his face.
Psalm 11 is a worship psalm. It tells how great God is and that God delivers the good people from the evil people. (See: deliverer and good and evil)
The wicked people try to destroy the good people but God knows everything that is being done and he saves the good people and destroys the evil people. (See: justice and save)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
Going to Yahweh for protection is spoken of as taking refuge in him. Alternate translation: "go to Yahweh for protection"
This question is asked to provide emphasis. It can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "So do not ask me to run away!"
"Look! the wicked are preparing to attack upright people"
Here "upright in heart" refers to godly or righteous people.
Here "the foundations" may refer to law and order. This rhetorical question is asked to add emphasis. It can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "Righteous people cannot do anything when evil people are not punished when they disobey the laws!"
Here Yahweh is represented by his "eyes." Yahweh is aware of everything that happens. Alternate translation: "He examines all that humanity does"
"humanity"
"Yahweh watches carefully"
"hurt others"
God's punishment is described as if it were burning coals and sulfur from a volcano. Alternate translation: "He punishes the wicked; there will be no relief for them!"
burning sulphur
"be in his presence"
1 Help, Yahweh, for the faithful ones have disappeared;
those who have integrity have vanished from the children of men.
2 Everyone says empty words to his neighbor;
everyone speaks with flattering lips and a double heart.
3 Yahweh, cut off all flattering lips,
every tongue declaring great things.
4 These are those who have said, "With our tongues we will prevail.
When our lips speak, who can be master over us?"
5 "Because of violence against the poor, because of the groans of the needy,
I will arise," says Yahweh.
"I will provide the safety for which they long."
6 The words of Yahweh are pure words,
like silver purified in a furnace on the earth,
refined seven times.
7 You are Yahweh! You keep them.
You preserve the godly people from this wicked generation and forever.
8 The wicked walk on every side
when evil is exalted among the children of mankind.
Psalm 12 is a judgment psalm, where the author asks God to judge and punish the wicked people. (See: judge and evil)
There are so many wicked people now and they are proud of their evil. But God will save the poor who call out to him. (See: save and call)
This relatively short psalm focuses on the words people use.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
This may refer to a style of music. See how you translated this in Psalms 6:1.
"Yahweh, come to my aid"
"faithful people have all vanished"
The two occurrences of "everyone" are exaggerations, used to emphasize that this is true of very many people.
Here "lips" is a metonym for what people say, and "a double heart" is a metaphor for deception. Alternate translation: "everyone speaks with flattering words and deception" or "everyone praises people falsely and tells lies"
Here "flattering lips" is a metonym for people who flatter others. Possible meanings are 1) "cut off" is a metaphor for killing. Alternate translation: "kill all who flatter others" or 2) "cut off" is a metaphor for stopping something. Alternate translation: "stop all those who flatter others"
Here "every tongue" represents every person who declares great things. Alternate translation: "every person who boasts"
Here the word "tongues" represents what people say. Alternate translation: "We will prevail because of what we say"
"we will succeed" or "we will win" or "we will be victorious"
Here the "lips" represents the people who speak. Alternate translation: "When we speak"
This rhetorical question is asked to emphasize that they believed no one could rule over them. It can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "no one can rule over us!"
These are deep sounds that people make because of pain or some strong emotion.
This means Yahweh will do something to help the people.
Yahweh's words are compared to silver that has been purified. Alternate translation: "they are without any imperfection"
"You keep the righteous people safe"
"surround us"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "when people everywhere are praising evil"
"human beings" or "people"
1 How long, Yahweh, will you forget me? Forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I worry
and have grief in my heart all day?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look at me and answer me, Yahweh my God!
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death.
4 Do not let my enemy say, "I have defeated him,"
so that my enemy may not say, "I have prevailed over my adversary";
otherwise, my enemies will rejoice when I am brought down.
5 But I have trusted in your covenant faithfulness;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing to Yahweh
because he has treated me very generously.
Psalm 13 is a psalm of deliverance because the psalmist is calling on God to deliver him from death and his enemies. (See: deliverer and call)
The author needs God to help him because his enemies will rejoice if they are able to defeat him. The string of rhetorical questions is very effective at heightening the fear David is feeling. (See: and fear)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
The writer asks these question to get the reader's attention and to add emphasis. They can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "Yahweh, it seems that you have forgotten about me and will never remember me!"
The words "your face" represent God's whole being. This rhetorical question is asked to add emphasis. It can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "It seems like you are hiding from me!"
This rhetorical question is asked to add emphasis. It can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "Surely my enemies will not always defeat me!"
"Give me your attention and listen to me"
This is a way of asking for strength. Alternate translation: "Make me strong again"
To "sleep in death" means to die.
"Do not let my enemy say about me ... so that my enemy may not say about me"
"when I fall" or "when they defeat me"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "I have trusted that you are faithful to your covenant" or "I have trusted you because you are faithful to your covenant"
Here "my heart" represents the whole person. Alternate translation: "I will rejoice because you have rescued me"
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1 A fool says in his heart, "There is no God."
They are corrupt and have done abominable iniquity;
there is no one who does good.
2 Yahweh looks down from heaven on the children of mankind
to see if there are any who understand,
who seek after him.
3 They have all turned away. Together they have become corrupt.
There is no one who does good, no, not one.
4 Do they not know anything, those who behave wickedly,
those who eat up my people as they eat bread,
but who do not call on Yahweh?
5 They tremble with dread,
for God is with the righteous generation!
6 You want to humiliate the poor person
even though Yahweh is his refuge.
7 Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come from Zion!
When Yahweh brings back his people from the captivity,
then Jacob will rejoice and Israel will be glad!
Psalm 14 is a deliverance psalm because he is trusting God to deliver the poor. (See: deliverer and trust)
Wicked people do not even consider God when they make their plans. (See: evil)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
This is an idiom that means to say to oneself or to think to oneself. Alternate translation: "A foolish person says to himself"
The word "they" refers to all foolish human beings who say there is no God.
This phrase refers to all humans.
This describes those who desire to know God as if they were actually following him on a path. Alternate translation: "who desire to know him"
This describes people who have rejected God as if they had stopped walking on the right path and had gone in another direction. Alternate translation: "They have all turned away from Yahweh"
This rhetorical question is asked to add emphasis. It can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "They act as if they do not know anything ... who do not call on Yahweh. But they know what they are doing!"
This refers to those who do evil things and destroy God's people as if they were eating food.
The word "they" refers to those who do evil things.
To say that "God is with" those who are righteous means that he helps them. This can be stated clearly in the translation. Alternate translation: "God helps those who act righteously" or "God helps those who do the right things"
The word "you" here refers to the wicked people.
"to make the person who is poor feel ashamed"
This speaks of the protection that Yahweh provides as if he were a shelter that one might seek in a storm. Alternate translation: "Yahweh is like a shelter of protection to him"
This is an exclamation. The writer is saying what he wishes or longs for God to do. Alternate translation: "I wish so much that the salvation of Israel would come from Zion!"
Here "the salvation of Israel" is a metonym for Yahweh, the one who saves Israel. Alternate translation: "Oh, that Yahweh would come from Zion and save Israel!" or "I wish that Yahweh would come from Zion and rescue his people Israel!"
These two phrases mean the same thing. Here both "Jacob" and "Israel" represent the people of Israel. The two phrases can be combined in the translation. Alternate translation: "then all the people of Israel will rejoice greatly"
1 Yahweh, who may stay in your tabernacle?
Who may live on your holy hill?
2 Whoever walks blamelessly, does what is right
and speaks truth from his heart.
3 He does not slander with his tongue,
he does not harm others,
and he does not insult his neighbor.
4 The abhorrent is despised in his eyes,
but he honors those who fear Yahweh.
He swears to his own disadvantage
and does not take back his promises.
5 He does not charge interest when he lends money.
He does not take bribes to testify against the innocent.
He who does these things will never be shaken.
Psalm 15 is a wisdom psalm telling how people who honor God should live. (See: wise and life)
This psalm outlines a person who is godly and sees others from a godly perspective. There are several good actions mentioned. Such a person treats his neighbor right, does not slander him, does not take a bribe or interest from him, and keeps his promises even when it is difficult to do so. (See: godly and good and promise)
Scholars have noted that this psalm contains a list of ten different conditions for those who want to participate in worship at the temple. The list consists of three positives in verse 2, 3 negatives in verse 3, two positives in verse 4, followed by two negatives in verse 5. (See: temple)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
God's "holy hill" represents God's temple, which was on Mount Zion. Alternate translation: "Who may live in your holy place?"
"speaks honestly"
Here "tongue" represents what a person says. The word "he" refers to the "righeous person"
hurt
"Righteous people hate those who have rejected God, but they honor those who respect God"
This phrase refers to any person whom Yahweh abhors. Alternate translation: "The wicked person" or "The person who has rejected Yahweh"
Here "to be shaken" represents not living safely any longer. This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "will live in safety"
1 Protect me, God,
for I take refuge in you.
2 I say to Yahweh, "You are my Lord;
my goodness is nothing apart from you.
3 As for the holy people who are on the earth,
they are noble people; all my delight is in them.
4 Their troubles will be increased, those who seek out other gods.
I will not pour out drink offerings of blood to their gods
or lift up their names with my lips.
5 Yahweh, you are my chosen portion and my cup.
You hold onto my lot.
6 Measuring lines have been laid for me in pleasant places;
surely a beautiful inheritance is mine.
7 I will bless Yahweh, who counsels me;
even at night my mind instructs me.
8 I set Yahweh before me at all times,
so I will not be shaken from his right hand!
9 Therefore my heart is glad; my glory is rejoicing.
Surely I will live in security.
10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol.
You will not let your faithful one see the pit.
11 You teach me the path of life;
abundant joy resides in your presence;
delights abide in your right hand forever!"
Psalm 16 is a psalm of praise, thanking God for all his mercies. The New Testament considers this psalm to be a messianic psalm: a psalm about Christ. (See: mercy and christ)
God has been so good to the psalmist, who will worship no other god. The New Testament considers the tenth verse to be about Christ's resurrection when it says that he is God's anointed one, and that God will not leave his body in the grave to decay. (See: good, falsegod and resurrection and anoint)
The term "Michtam" is used in the superscription for this psalm. There is much discussion about this term, but in the end no one is certain what it means. So it is easiest to transliterate this word into your language, or you are welcome to translate it as "psalm."
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
Going to Yahweh for protection is spoken of as taking refuge in him. Alternate translation: "go to you for protection"
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Here "holy people" refers to God's own people who trust him. Alternate translation: "your people who live in this land"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "The troubles of those who seek other gods will increase"
"pour out blood as a sacrifice to their gods"
Lifting up their names is a metaphor for praising them, and "lips" is a metonym for what one says. Alternate translation: "or praise them with my words" or "and I will not praise their gods"
Here David speaks of Yahweh as if he were a portion of land that has been given to him.
Here David speaks of Yahweh as if he were a cup that contains many blessings. Alternate translation: "the one who blesses me"
"You determine my future" or "You control what will happen to me"
Here laying down measuring lines is a metonym for measuring land and giving it to someone, and here this is a metaphor for God blessing David in many great ways. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "You have measured off land for me in pleasant places" or "You have given me land in pleasant places" or "You bless me like one who gives land in pleasant places"
These are ropes that people use to measure a plot of land and mark its boundaries.
Here David speaks of Yahweh's blessings as if they were an inheritance that he has received. Alternate translation: "I am delighted with all the things that he has given me"
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"I always remember that Yahweh is with me"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "nothing will take me away from his side"
David continues to speak to God.
Here the "heart" represents the speaker's thoughts and emotions. Alternate translation: "Therefore I am glad"
Possible meanings are 1) the word "glory" represents the honor a person feels. Alternate translation: "I am honored to rejoice in God" or 2) the word translated "glory" really means "liver" and represents the speaker's emotions. Alternate translation: "I am rejoicing"
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"great joy" or "a large amount of joy"
The writer speaks of "joy" as if it were a person.
The words "right hand" indicate being in God's special presence. Alternate translation: "when I am near you"
1 Listen to my plea for justice, Yahweh;
pay attention to my cry for help!
Give ear to my prayer from lips without deceit.
2 Let my vindication come from your presence;
let your eyes see what is right!
3 If you test my heart, if you come to me in the night,
you will purify me and will not find any evil plans;
my mouth will not transgress.
4 As for the deeds of mankind,
it is at the word of your lips
that I have kept myself from the ways of the lawless.
5 My steps have held firmly to your tracks;
my feet have not slipped.
6 I call to you, for you answer me, God;
turn your ear to me and listen when I speak.
7 Show your covenant faithfulness in a wonderful way,
you who save by your right hand
those who take refuge in you from their enemies!
8 Protect me like the apple of your eye;
hide me under the shadow of your wings
9 from the presence of the wicked ones who deal violently with me,
my enemies who surround me.
10 They have no mercy on anyone;
their mouths speak with pride.
11 They have surrounded my steps.
They set their eyes to strike me to the ground.
12 They are like a lion eager for a victim,
like a young lion crouching in hidden places.
13 Arise, Yahweh! Attack them! Throw them down on their faces!
Rescue my life from the wicked by your sword!
14 Rescue me from men by your hand, Yahweh,
from men of this world whose prosperity is in this life alone!
You will fill the bellies of your treasured ones with riches;
they will have many children
and will leave their wealth to their children.
15 As for me, I will see your face in righteousness;
I will be satisfied, when I awake, with a sight of you.
Psalm 17 is a prayer for deliverance from all his enemies. (See: deliverer)
The psalmist is innocent and needs God to rescue him from these enemies. (See: innocent)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
The phrase "give ear" is a metaphor for listening, and "lips without deceit" is synecdoche for a person who does not lie. Alternate translation: "Listen to my prayer for I speak without deceit"
Vindication coming from God represents God judging someone and declaring him innocent. God's "presence" is a metonym for God himself. Alternate translation: "Let my vindication come from you" or "Declare that I am innocent"
Here "your eyes" is synecdoche for God himself, and "see" is a metaphor for paying attention and firmly deciding to do something. Alternate translation: "please see what is right" or "do what is right"
Here "test my heart" means to examine my thoughts and motives. Alternate translation: "If you examine my thoughts in the night"
Here the mouth is spoken of as if it were capable of acting on its own. It also represents the words that a person speaks. Alternate translation: "I will not tell lies or sin with my words"
Here "the word of your lips" is a metonym for God's instruction, and "the ways of the lawless" is a metaphor for the things that lawless people do. Alternate translation: "it is by obeying your instruction that I have kept myself from doing the things that lawless people do" or "your instruction has caused me to avoid doing wicked things"
Both of these clauses mean the same thing. The repetition adds emphasis.
The writer speaks of his obedience to God as if he were walking on a path. Alternate translation: "I am determined to follow your ways"
These phrases mean the same thing. Here "your ear" refers to God's willingness to hear someone who prays to him. Alternate translation: "pay attention to me ... listen when I speak"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "Show in a wonderful way that you are faithful to your covenant"
The "right hand" refers to God's power. Alternate translation: "your mighty power"
Going to Yahweh for protection is spoken of as taking refuge in him. Alternate translation: "go to you for protection"
The "apple of your eye" refers to something that is valuable. Alternate translation: "Protect me as you would something most valuable and precious"
David speaks of God's protection as if he were a bird protecting its young under its wings. Alternate translation: "Keep me safe as a mother bird protects her babies by gathering them under her wing"
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Here "their mouths speak" represents his enemies when they speak. Alternate translation: "they speak with pride" or "they are always boasting"
Here "surrounded my steps" represents how David's enemies have followed him everywhere he goes in order to capture him. Alternate translation: "My enemies have surrounded me"
These two phrases express very similar ideas. The repetition adds intensity.
The writer feels pursued the way a lion hunts its prey
This is a metaphor for Yahweh's power and for violent death in war. Alternate translation: "by having them die in war" or "by killing them in battle"
This clause adds intensity to the words "Rescue my life from the wicked by your sword"
These words represent the power of Yahweh and add intensity to the words "by your sword"
The ancient text is hard to understand. Possible meanings are 1) "treasured" is a metaphor for loved, and "your treasured ones" refers to the people whom God loves. Alternate translation: "you will fill the bellies of the people you love with riches" or 2) "your treasured ones" refers to treasures that God gives to people, the "men of this world" Alternate translation: "you will fill their bellies with rich treasures"
Here "fill the bellies ... with riches" is a metaphor for giving them many valuable things. Possible meanings are 1) "You will give many riches to the people you love" or 2) "you will give the men of this world many riches"
Here "face" represents Yahweh in all of his being. David is confident he will see Yahweh. Alternate translation: "because I act in the right way, I will be with you one day"
David believes that after he dies, he will be with Yahweh. This can be made clear in the translation. Alternate translation: "After I die, I will be happy to wake up in your presence"
1 I love you, Yahweh, my strength.
2 Yahweh is my rock, my fortress, the one who brings me to safety;
he is my God, my rock; I take refuge in him.
He is my shield, the horn of my salvation, and my stronghold.
3 I will call on Yahweh who is worthy to be praised,
and I will be saved from my enemies.
4 The cords of death surrounded me,
and the rushing waters of worthlessness overwhelmed me.
5 The cords of Sheol surrounded me;
the snares of death trapped me.
6 In my distress I called to Yahweh;
I called for help to my God.
He heard my voice from his temple;
my cry for help went into his presence;
it went into his ears.
7 Then the earth shook and trembled;
the foundations of the mountains also trembled
and were shaken because God was angry.
8 Smoke went up from out of his nostrils,
and blazing fire came out of his mouth.
Coals were kindled by it.
9 He opened the heavens and came down,
and thick darkness was under his feet.
10 He rode on a cherub and flew;
he glided on the wings of the wind.
11 He made darkness a tent around him,
heavy rainclouds in the skies.
12 Hailstones and coals of fire fell from the lightning before him.
13 Yahweh thundered in the heavens!
The voice of the Most High shouted. [1]
14 He shot his arrows and scattered his enemies;
many lightning bolts dispersed them.
15 Then the water channels appeared;
the foundations of the world were laid bare
at your rebuke, Yahweh,
at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.
16 He reached down from above; he took hold of me!
He pulled me out of the surging water.
17 He rescued me from my strong enemy,
from those who hated me, for they were too strong for me.
18 They came against me on the day of my distress
but Yahweh was my support!
19 He set me free in a wide open place;
he saved me because he was pleased with me.
20 Yahweh has rewarded me because of my righteousness;
he has restored me because my hands were clean.
21 For I have kept the ways of Yahweh
and have not wickedly turned away from my God.
22 For all his righteous decrees have been before me;
as for his statutes, I have not turned away from them.
23 I have also been innocent before him,
and I have kept myself from iniquity.
24 Therefore Yahweh has restored me because of my righteousness,
because my hands were clean before his eyes.
25 To one who is faithful, you show yourself to be faithful;
to a man who is blameless, you show yourself to be blameless.
26 To one who is pure, you show yourself to be pure;
but to one who is perverse, you show yourself to be shrewd.
27 For you save afflicted people,
but you abase those with proud, uplifted eyes!
28 For you give light to my lamp;
Yahweh my God lights up my darkness.
29 For by you I can run over a barricade;
by my God I can leap over a wall.
30 As for God—his way is perfect!
The word of Yahweh is pure!
He is a shield to everyone who takes refuge in him.
31 For who is God except Yahweh?
Who is a rock except our God?
32 It is God who puts strength on me like a belt,
who places the blameless person on his path.
33 He makes my feet swift like a deer
and places me on the heights!
34 He trains my hands for war
and my arms to bend a bow of bronze.
35 You have given me the shield of your salvation.
Your right hand has supported me,
and your favor has made me great.
36 You have made a wide place for my feet beneath me
so that my feet have not slipped.
37 I pursued my enemies and caught them;
I did not turn back until they were destroyed.
38 I smashed them so that they were unable to rise;
they have fallen under my feet.
39 For you have girded me with strength for battle;
you put under me those who rise up against me.
40 You gave me the back of my enemies' necks;
I annihilated those who hated me.
41 They called for help, but no one saved them;
they called out to Yahweh, but he did not answer them.
42 I beat them into fine pieces like dust before the wind;
I threw them out like mud in the streets.
43 You rescued me from the disputes of people;
you have made me head over nations;
people whom I have not known serve me.
44 As soon as they heard of me, they obeyed me;
foreigners were forced to bow to me.
45 The foreigners came trembling out of their strongholds.
46 Yahweh lives; may my rock be praised.
May the God of my salvation be exalted.
47 He is the God who executes vengeance for me,
who subdues the nations under me.
48 I am set free from my enemies!
Indeed, you lifted me above the ones who rose against me!
You rescued me from violent men.
49 Therefore I will give thanks to you, Yahweh, among the nations;
I will sing praises to your name!
50 God gives great victory to his king,
and he shows his covenant loyalty to his anointed one,
to David and to his descendants forever.
Psalm 18 is a psalm of praise to God for his strengthening David for war.
God has tremendous power and he enabled David to prosper in war. This psalm, and its superscription, also appears in 1 Samuel 22 with some minor differences.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
Possible meanings are 1) David wrote the psalm or 2) the psalm is about David or 3) the psalm is in the style of David's psalms.
"he sang this song to Yahweh"
"after Yahweh had rescued him"
Here "hand" stands for the power of Saul. Alternate translation: "from Saul's power"
David speaks of Yahweh as if he were a rock. The word "rock" is a picture of a safe place.
Here the words "rock" and "fortress" share similar meanings and emphasize that Yahweh provides safety from enemies.
Going to Yahweh for protection is spoken of as taking refuge in him. Alternate translation: "go to him for protection"
David speaks of Yahweh as if he were a "shield," "the horn" of his salvation, and his "stronghold." Yahweh is the one who protects him from harm. Here a similar idea is repeated three ways for emphasis.
"I will be rescued from my enemies"
David speaks of death as if it were a person who could capture him and bind him with ropes. Alternate translation: "I was about to be killed"
David is as helpless as if he were being carried away by a rushing flood of waters. Alternate translation: "I felt completely helpless"
Here "Sheol," the place of the dead, and "death" are spoken of as if they were people who could surround and trap him. These two clauses have similar meanings and the idea is repeated for emphasis. Alternate translation: "I felt trapped and thought I was going to die"
"In my great need" or "In my despair"
Here David speaks of his "cry for help" as if it were a person who could come into the presence of Yahweh. Alternate translation: "I prayed to him"
Here David speaks of how Yahweh heard his cry for help. The idea is repeated for emphasis. Alternate translation: "he heard my appeal"
God's being angry is spoken of as if the there was a terrible earthquake. Alternate translation: "God was so angry that it was as if the earth ... shaken"
The words "shook" and "trembled" mean basically the same thing and emphasize how greatly the earth shook. Alternate translation: "the land moved back and forth" or "the ground moved up and down" or "there was a violent earthquake"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the foundations of the mountains also trembled and shook"
David speaks of Yahweh as if he were breathing fire. This is a picture of how angry God was.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "blazing fire came out of his mouth and kindled coals"
The word "He" refers to Yahweh.
Though Yahweh does not actually have feet, the Psalmist gives him human characteristics. Alternate translation: "thick darkness was beneath him"
Here the Psalmist speaks of the wind as if it had wings like an angel.
Here the words "He" and "him" refer to Yahweh.
Here darkness is spoken of as if it were a tent. Alternate translation: "He made darkness a covering" or "He made darkness a hiding place"
"clouds heavy with rain" or "thick, dark rainclouds"
stones made of ice
Yahweh's voice sounded like thunder.
"the Most High" refers to Yahweh.
Both of these clauses have similar meanings.
Here lighting strikes are being spoken of as if they were arrows
"sent them in different directions"
The writer continues to speak of Yaweh's great power.
These two clauses have similar meanings. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Then the water channels appeared and the bottom of the ocean became visible; you exposed the foundations of the world"
Though God does not have human physical characteristics as described here, this pictures his mighty strength. The wind is spoken of here as if it came as a mighty blast from God's nostrils.
The word "He" in these verses refers to Yahweh.
Here the Psalmist speaks of the dangers of his enemies as if they were huge waves or forceful waters, from which Yahweh has rescued him.
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Here "They" refers to the strong enemies in verse 17.
The abstract noun "distress" can be stated as an adjective. The abstract noun "support" can be stated as "protected." Alternate translation: "Strong enemies attacked me on a day when I was distressed, but Yahweh protected me"
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Here having clean hands represents being innocent of wrongdoing. Alternate translation: "I was innocent" or "my actions were right"
The laws of Yahweh are spoken of as if they were the paths on which one should walk. Alternate translation: "I have obeyed Yahweh's laws"
Here being wicked is spoken of as if one left the right path and took the wrong path. Alternate translation: "have not done wickedly by turning away from my God"
Both of these clauses have similar meanings. The writer repeats these ideas for emphasis.
"have guided me" or "I have remembered"
"innocent according to him"
"I have not sinned"
To have "clean hands" means that one is innocent of wrongdoing. See how you translated this in [Psalms 18:20]
This refers to God's presence. Alternate translation: "before him" or "according to him"
The writer speaks to Yahweh. He praises Yahweh for relating to people in ways that are approprite for how the people live.
"To anyone who is faithful" or "To those who are faithful"
"you show that you are faithful" or "you are faithful"
"to anyone who is blameless" or "to those who are blameless"
"you show that you are blameless" or "you are blameless"
The writer continuies to speak to Yahweh and to praise Yahweh for relating to people in ways that are approprite for how the people live.
"To anyone who is pure" or "To those who are pure"
"you show that you are pure" or "you are pure"
The perverse person might think that he is wise and can sin without being punished, but God is wiser and will do to the perverse person what that person deserves.
"but to anyone who is perverse" or "but to those who are perverse"
"you show yourself to be wise" or "you are cunning"
"you humiliate"
This idiom refers to those who are proud. Alternate translation: "who are proud"
The writer speaks of Yahweh's presence as if he were a light. These clauses have similar meanings.
"For with your help I can run past anything that is in my way"
A shield protects a soldier. David speaks as if God were a shield protecting him. See how you translated this in [Psalms 3:3]
The implied answer is no one. Alternate translation: "Only Yahweh is God! Only our God is a rock!"
David speaks of Yahweh as if he were a rock that he could climb to get away from his enemies. See how you translated this in [Psalms 18:2]
God gives strength to David as if it were a piece of clothing.
Here David speaks of living a life that is pleasing to God as if he were being placed on the right path. Alternate translation: "causes the blameless person to live a righteous life"
This refers to enabling a person to run fast. Alternate translation: "makes me run very fast"
The deer is especially quick and stable in the mountains.
Here "my hands" refers to the person. Alternate translation: "He trains me"
This refers to the person. Alternate translation: "me"
Here the writer speaks of God's protection as if it were a shield. The abstract noun "salvation" can be stated with the verb "save." Alternate translation: "your protection and saved me"
Here God's right hand represents his power. Alternate translation: "Your power has supported me" or "You have supported me by your power"
Here God's favor represents him acting according to his favor. Alternate translation: "You have made me great according to your favor" or "By your kindness, you have made me great"
The writer speaks of the safety that God has provided as if it were a wide place for him to stand. Here "my feet" represent the person. Alternate translation: "a safe place for me"
Here "my feet" refers to the person. The writer refers to the safety of God's protection as if he were standing on a place where he will not slip or fall. Alternate translation: "I have not slipped" or "I am doing well"
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"I crushed them" or "I broke them to pieces"
"unable to stand"
This idiom means the Psalmist has defeated his enemies. Alternate translation: "I have defeated all of them"
"you have put strength on me like a belt." The Psalmist says that Yahweh has given him strength that surrounds and supports him like a belt. See how you translated a similar phrase in [Psalms 18:32]
Here the Psalmist speaks of the defeat of his enemies as if he were standing on them. Alternate translation: "you defeat for me"
This refers to those who oppose the Psalmist. Alternate translation: "those who are my enemies"
This represents God giving David victory over his enemies. Alternate translation: "You gave me victory over my enemies"
This represents God giving David victory over his enemies. Possible images are 1) David could cut his enemies' heads off at the neck or 2) David could put his foot down on his enemies' necks or 3) David could see his enemies' backs when they ran away from him.
"I defeated those who hated me" or "I destroyed completely those who hated me"
This means Yahweh did not provide any help. Alternate translation: "but he did not help them"
The psalmists enemies are compared to dust to show how defeated they are.
The psalmist's enemies are compared to mud in the streets to show how defeated they are.
disagreements, arguments
Here "head" represents the ruler. Alternate translation: "appointed me to be the ruler over many nations"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God forced foreigners to bow"
Here "trembling" shows that they were very afraid. This can be stated clearly in the translation. Alternate translation: "foreigners came shaking, showing that they were very afraid"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "he is my rock and he should be praised" or "may people praise my rock"
Here the writer speaks of Yahweh's protection as if he were a rock that prevented his enemies from reaching him. See how you translated this in [Psalms 18:2]
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "May people exalt the God of my salvation"
The abstract nouns "salvation" can be stated as "saved" or "rescued." Alternate translation: "the God who rescued me"
To "execute vengeance" means to punish people for their evil actions. This can be restated to remove the abstract noun "vengeance." Alternate translation: "the God who punishes people for the evil things they have done to me"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God has set me free"
Yahweh's protection of the writer is spoken of as if he lifted the writer up so high that his enemies could not reach him to harm him. Alternate translation: "you put me in a safe place high above"
"who attacked me" or "who rebelled against me"
"cruel men" or "savage men"
Here the writer means that he will give thanks to Yahweh so that all people will hear of Yahweh's greatness. Alternate translation: "so all the nations will hear about it"
Here "name" represents God himself. Alternate translation: "in honor of your name" or "to you"
By using the words "his king," David is referring to himself as king.
"he faithfully loves me as he promised in his covenant, and he will love my descendants forever"
1 The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the skies make known the work of his hands!
2 Day after day speech pours out;
night after night it reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech or spoken words;
their voice is not heard.
4 Yet their words go out over all the earth,
and their speech to the end of the world.
He has pitched a tent for the sun among them.
5 The sun is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber
and like a strong man who rejoices when he runs his race.
6 The sun rises from the one horizon
and crosses the sky to the other;
nothing escapes its heat.
7 The law of Yahweh is perfect,
restoring the soul;
the testimony of Yahweh is reliable,
making the simple wise.
8 The instructions of Yahweh are right,
making the heart glad;
the commandment of Yahweh is pure,
bringing light to the eyes.
9 The fear of Yahweh is pure,
enduring forever;
the righteous decrees of Yahweh are true
and altogether right!
10 They are of greater value than gold,
even more than much fine gold;
they are sweeter than honey
and the dripping honey from the honeycomb.
11 Yes, by them your servant is warned;
in obeying them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern all his own errors?
Cleanse me from hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from arrogant sins;
let them not rule over me.
Then I will be perfect,
and I will be innocent from many transgressions.
14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
Yahweh, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19 is a praise psalm, praising God for his creation and for his law.
God's law keeps people from sinning. There are two distinct themes in this psalm. Verses 1-6 are God's glory in the heavens and the second is praising God for his law. (See: lawofmoses and glory and heaven)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
The heavens are described as if they were a person. Alternate translation: "The heavens show" or "The heavens look like they declare"
The skies are described as if they were a teacher. Alternate translation: "people can learn from looking at the skies that God has created them"
What is beautiful about creation is compared to speaking, as if creation were a person. Then those words are compared to water that flows everywhere. Alternate translation: "creation is like a person speaking to everyone"
These phrases express clearly that the first two verses were a metaphor. Alternate translation: "There is no real speech or spoken words; no one hears an actual voice with their ears"
Other translations read "where their voice is not heard," emphasizing that creation's "speech" is available everywhere.
David has just said that creation shows God's glory.
This refers to the unspoken "words" of creation that show God's glory.
The words are described as if they were people who go out with a message. Alternate translation: "the words that creation speaks are like people who go out"
The implied words can be included in the translation. Alternate translation: "their speech goes out to the end of the world"
Here the writer speaks of the place that Yahweh created for the sun as if it were a tent. Alternate translation: "He created a place for the sun"
The word "them" probably refers to the heavens.
The writer speaks of the sun's coming out as if it were a bridegroom. Alternate translation: "The sun is like a bridegroom walking joyfully toward his bride"
This compares the sun to an athlete to emphasize the strength and brightness of the sun.
"a fast runner"
the line where the earth and the sky meet
Here "other" refers to the other horizon. This can be stated clearly in the translation. Alternate translation: "to the other horizon"
"everything feels its heat"
The words "the soul" refer to the whole person. Alternate translation: "making a person strong again"
"those who have no experience" or "those who have not learned"
These words refer to the whole person. Alternate translation: "a person"
"are true" or "are correct"
Possible meanings are 1) "bringing understanding to a person" or 2) "making a person healthy again"
"completely right"
Yahweh's decrees are spoken of as if they could be bought and tasted. Alternate translation: "If you could buy them, they would be of greater value than gold ... if you could taste them, they would be sweeter than honey"
The word "valuable" is understood from the previous phrase and can be repeated. Alternate translation: "even more valuable than a lot of fine gold"
"pure gold" or "expensive gold"
This word marks that there is more to the truth than what has just been said. Alternate translation: "Moreover"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "they warn your servant" or "they are a warning for your servant"
The word "them" refers to Yahweh's righteous decrees.
David calls himself "your servant" when speaking to God as a sign of respect. Alternate translation: "I am warned"
This appears in the form of a question to add emphasis and can be translated as a strong statement. Alternate translation: No one can be aware of his own errors!"
"from secret mistakes I have made"
This idiom pictures the servant as being removed from the sins he does not wish to commit. Alternate translation: "Also, protect your servant from doing" or "Also, make sure that I do not commit"
David calls himself "your servant" when speaking to God as a sign of respect. See how you translated this in [Psalms 19:11]
Sins are described as if they were a king that could rule over someone. Alternate translation: "do not let my sins become like a king who rules over me"
"innocent of rebelling against you" or "innocent of committing many sins"
These expressions taken together describe everything a person says and thinks. Alternate translation: "the things I say and the things I think about"
"receive approval in your sight" or "be pleasing to you"
Here sight represents judgment or evaluation. Alternate translation: "in your judgment"
The writer speaks of God as if he were a rock that one could climb and be protected from his enemies. Alternate translation: "Yahweh, you are like my rock"
1 May Yahweh help you in the day of trouble;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you
2 and send help from the holy place
to support you from Zion.
3 May he call to mind all your offerings
and accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah
4 May he grant you your heart's desire
and fulfill all your plans.
5 Then we will rejoice in your victory,
and, in the name of our God, we will raise banners.
May Yahweh grant all your petitions.
6 Now I know that Yahweh will rescue his anointed one;
he will answer him from his holy heaven
with the saving strength of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and others in horses,
but we trust in the name of Yahweh our God.
8 They will be brought down and fall,
but we will rise and stand upright!
9 Yahweh, rescue the king;
help us when we call.
Psalm 20 is a royal psalm. It is probably a prayer for the king, perhaps when he first became king.
Trusting God is much better than trusting in military might. (See: trust)
This Psalm begins with a group of people speaking to the king of Israel. Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
The word "you" in this Psalm is singular and refers to the king.
"in times of trouble" or "when you are in trouble"
Possible meanings are 1) here "name" is a metonym for God's power. Alternate translation: "may the power of the God of Jacob protect you" or "may the God of Jacob protect you by his power" or 2) here "name" is a metonym for God himself. Alternate translation: "may the God of Jacob protect you"
God helping from his holy place is spoken of as if God were sending help. Alternate translation: "may Yahweh help you from his holy place"
Both of these refer to God's temple in Jerusalem.
The phrase "call to mind" is a way of saying "remember." It does not mean God forgot. It means to consider or think about. Alternate translation: "May he remember"
The word "he" refers to Yahweh.
"May he give"
Here "heart" stands for the entire person. The abstract noun "desire" can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: "what you desire" or "what you want"
The abstract noun "plans" can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: "may he help you to accomplish everything that you plan to do"
Here "we" refers to the people. They will rejoice in the king's victory.
Here "name" represents honor or reputation. Alternate translation: "in honor of our God" or "for the reputation of our God"
"we will raise victory flags." They would do this to show that they were praising God because he gave their king victory over his enemies.
"give you everything you request from him"
This word is used here to mark a break in the psalm. It transitions from the people speaking to the king speaking.
The word "I" probably refers to the king who is speaking in this section.
The king is speaking about himself in the third person. This can be stated in first person. Alternate translation: "me, his anointed one ... answer me"
God dwells in heaven as well as in the temple in Jerusalem (Psalms 20:2).
God's right hand represents his power. Alternate translation: "with his great strength he will rescue him"
Here "chariots" and "horses" represent a king's army.
Many modern translations read, "boast in chariots ... boast in the name."
The word "trust" is understood. Alternate translation: "others trust in horses"
Here the word "name" is a metonym for what everyone knows about Yahweh and so for Yahweh himself. Alternate translation: "we trust in Yahweh our God because of who he is"
Here "we" refers to the writer and the readers.
Here "we" refers to the writer and the readers.
The word "They" refers to the people who trust in chariots and horses. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God will bring them down and make them fall"
Both these verbs mean basically the same thing. Both of these stand for losing in battle.
"we will get up and stand up straight." These two phrases mean basically the same thing. Both of these stand for victory in battle.
Possible interpretations are 1) the people ask God to protect the king or 2) the king continues to speak about himself in the third person.
Some translations understand the Hebrew differently. Some translate it as the people speaking to Yahweh their king. Alternate translation: "King, help us when we call you"
1 The king rejoices in your strength, Yahweh!
How greatly he rejoices in the salvation you provide!
2 You have given him his heart's desire
and have not held back the request of his lips. Selah
3 For you bring him rich blessings;
you placed on his head a crown of purest gold.
4 He asked you for life; you gave it to him;
you gave him the length of his days forever and ever.
5 His glory is great because of your victory;
you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty.
6 For you grant him lasting blessings;
you make him glad with the joy of your presence.
7 For the king trusts in Yahweh;
through the covenant faithfulness of the Most High
he will not be moved.
8 Your hand will seize all your enemies;
your right hand will seize those who hate you.
9 At the time of your anger,
you will burn them up as in a fiery furnace.
Yahweh will consume them in his wrath,
and the fire will devour them.
10 You will destroy their offspring from the earth
and their descendants from among the human race.
11 For they intended evil against you;
they conceived a plot with which they will not succeed!
12 For you will turn them back;
you will draw your bow before them.
13 Be exalted, Yahweh, in your strength;
we will sing and praise your power.
Psalm 21 is a royal psalm. The king is praying for victory. Victory in war comes from the power and help from God.
There is a shift in pronouns in this psalm. In verses 1-6 the psalm addresses Yahweh in second person but in verse 7 the psalmist uses third person before moving back to second person in the latter part.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
It is implied that this is strength Yahweh has given the king to defeat his enemies. Alternate translation: because you, Yahweh, have made him strong enough to defeat his enemies"
"He rejoices greatly"
It is implied that God has saved the king from his enemies. The abstract noun "salvation" can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: "because you have saved him from his enemies"
"his heart's wish." Here "heart" stands for the whole person. Alternate translation: "his desire" or "what he wished for"
"have not refused him" or "you have given him"
Here "lips" stands for the whole person. Alternate translation: "his request" or "what he requested of you"
The abstract noun "blessings" can be stated as "bless" or "good things." Alternate translation: "you bless him greatly" or "you give him many good things"
To place a crown on a person's head is a symbol of making him a king.
Here "purest gold" represents the great honor given to the king.
The abstract noun "life" can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: "He asked that you cause him to live for a long time; you caused it to happen"
The idiom "the length of his days" refers to the duration of his life. Alternate translation: "a long life that lasts forever"
"The king's honor" or "The king's fame"
"you have placed on him splendor and majesty." Causing the king to be wealthy and powerful is spoken of as if splendor and majesty are objects that are placed on him. Alternate translation: "you have made him wealthy and powerful"
"you allow him to have" or "you agree to give him"
"a blessings that will last" or "a blessings that will stay"
"the joy of being in your presence" or "the joy that comes from you being near to you"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "because the Most High is faithful to his covenant"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "no one will remove him as king"
Here "hand" represents power. Alternate translation: "Your power will seize" or "You will powerfully seize"
Possible meaning of all occurrences of "your" and "you" are 1) they refer to the king or 2) they refer to God.
This means the same thing as the first part of the sentence. It emphasizes that God will give the king the power to stop his enemies.
"When you are angry and begin to act"
The words "your" and "you" refers to either 1) God or 2) the king.
Yahweh or the king destroying their enemies is spoken of as if their enemies are wood and Yahweh or the king will throw them into a furnace.
Both clauses mean basically the same thing. Yahweh completely destroying his enemies is spoken of as if his wrath is a fire that completely burns up his enemies.
The word "you" refers to either 1) God or 2) the king.
Both phrases mean the same thing. They emphasize that absolutely none of their enemies will survive.
"they planned." The word "they" refers to the enemies of God and the king.
"to do evil things to you"
"they made a plan" or "they created a scheme"
Possible meanings for "you" and "your" are 1) they refer to the king or 2) they refer to God and speak about him as if he were a warrior with a bow and arrows.
This is a way of saying that God and the king will defeat their enemies in battle.
This implies that he actually shoots his arrows at his enemies.
Possible meanings are 1) "Yahweh, show us that you are very strong" or 2) "Yahweh, because you are strong we will exalt you"
The words "sing" and "praise" share similar meanings. Here the word "power" represents God and his power. Alternate translation: "with singing we will praise you because you are powerful"
1 My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Why are you so far from saving me
and far from the words of my anguish?
2 My God, I cry out in the daytime, but you do not answer,
and at night I am not silent!
3 Yet you are holy;
you sit as king with the praises of Israel.
4 Our ancestors trusted in you;
they trusted in you, and you rescued them.
5 They cried to you and they were rescued.
They trusted in you and were not disappointed.
6 But I am a worm and not a man,
a disgrace to humanity and despised by the people.
7 All those who see me taunt me;
they mock me; they shake their heads at me.
8 They say, "He trusts in Yahweh;
let Yahweh rescue him.
Let him rescue him, for he delights in him."
9 For you brought me from the womb;
you made me trust you when I was on my mother's breasts.
10 I have been thrown on you from the womb;
you are my God since I was in my mother's womb!
11 Do not be far away from me, for trouble is near;
there is no one to help.
12 Many bulls surround me;
strong bulls of Bashan surround me.
13 They open their mouths wide against me
like a roaring lion ripping its victim.
14 I am being poured out like water,
and all my bones are dislocated.
My heart is like wax;
it melts away within my inner parts.
15 My strength has dried up like a piece of pottery;
my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.
You have laid me in the dust of death.
16 For dogs have surrounded me;
a company of evildoers has encircled me;
they have pierced my hands and my feet.
17 I can count all my bones.
They look and stare at me.
18 They divide my garments among themselves,
they cast lots for my clothes.
19 Do not be far away, Yahweh;
please hurry to help me, my strength!
20 Rescue my soul from the sword,
my only life from the claws of wild dogs.
21 Save me from the lion's mouth;
rescue me from the horns of the wild oxen.
22 I will declare your name to my brothers;
in the midst of the assembly I will praise you.
23 You who fear Yahweh, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
Stand in awe of him, all you descendants of Israel!
24 For he has not despised or abhorred
the suffering of the afflicted one;
Yahweh has not hidden his face from him;
when the afflicted one cried to him, he heard.
25 My praise will be because of you in the great assembly;
I will fulfill my vows before those who fear him.
26 The oppressed will eat and be satisfied;
those who seek Yahweh will praise him.
May your hearts live forever.
27 All the peoples of the earth will remember and turn to Yahweh;
all the families of the nations will bow down before you.
28 For the kingdom is Yahweh's;
he is the ruler over the nations.
29 All the prosperous people of the earth will feast and will worship;
all those who are descending into the dust will bow before him,
those who cannot preserve their own souls alive.
30 A generation to come will serve him;
they will tell the next generation of the Lord.
31 They will come and tell of his righteousness;
they will tell to a people not yet born what he has done!
Psalm 22 is a messianic psalm. It contains references to events during the crucifixion of Christ. It is also a psalm of individual lament and praise. (See: christ and crucify and lament)
Christ was despised and taunted by his enemies; but finally people all over the earth will bow down to him.
This psalm is quoted in different places in the New Testament. Verse 1a is cited in Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34 as the words of Christ on the cross. Many of the events in the narratives of the crucifixion are mentioned in this psalm. (See: cross)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
This may refer to a style of music.
The writer repeats "My God" to emphasize that he is desperate for God to hear him.
The writer uses a question to emphasize that he feels like God has abandoned him. It may be best to leave this as a question. It can also be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "my God, I feel like you have abandoned me!"
"you left me all alone"
Again the writer uses a question to emphasize that he feels like God is far away from him. It may be best to leave this as a question. It can also be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "You are far from saving me and far from the words of my anguish!"
The writer feeling like God is not listening to him is spoken of as if God were far from his words of anguish. Alternate translation: "why do you not listen when I speak to you about the anguish I feel" or "I have told you about my suffering but you do not come to me"
The writer uses the words "daytime" and "night" to mean he prays to God all the time.
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "I still speak"
"the praises of Israel are the throne on which you sit as king." The praises of Israel are described as if they are a throne upon which God can sit and rule, or as a house in which God can live. Alternate translation: "you are king and the people of Israel praise you"
Here "Israel" represents the people of Israel.
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This can be stated in active and positive form. Alternate translation: "you did not disappoint them" or "you did not fail them" or "you saved them" or "you did for them what they needed you to do"
The writer speaks of himself as if he were a worm. This emphasizes that he feels worthless or that the people treat him as if he were worthless. Alternate translation: "But it is like I am a worm and not a man"
Both of these phrase mean basically the same thing. The phrase "despised by the people" can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "everyone thinks I am worthless and the people hate me"
These three phrases share similar meanings and emphasize how much people disrespect him.
This describes an action used to mock someone.
The people are saying this to mock the writer. They do not really believe Yahweh will rescue him.
"Let Yahweh rescue him"
Possible meanings are 1) "for Yahweh delights in him" or 2) "for he delights in Yahweh"
The writer uses the word "For" to begin explaining why he is confused and asking God why he is not coming to help.
This is a way of saying "you caused me to be born."
This means that he has been trusting in Yahweh since he was very young. Alternate translation: "even from the time that I drank milk from my mother's breasts"
The phrase "have been thrown on" is a way of saying that Yahweh has taken care of him as if Yahweh had adopted him as his own child. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "It was as though you had adopted me right when I was born"
This implies that Yahweh has always taken care of the writer. Alternate translation: "you, God, have taken care of me"
"since before I was born"
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "Come close to me"
The writer speaks about "trouble" as if it were an object that is near him. Alternate translation: "for my enemies are near me"
"there is no helper"
The writer speaks about his enemies as if they were bulls. This emphasizes how dangerous and powerful his enemies are. Alternate translation: "I have many enemies and they are like bulls that surround me; they are like strong bulls from Bashan that surround me"
The writer speaks about his enemies as if they were lions with the mouths open ready to eat him. His enemies may be speaking lies to discredit him. Or they may be threatening him and attacking him.
The writer speaks about his enemies as if they were lions. This emphasizes how powerful and dangerous his enemies are.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "It is like someone is pouring me out like water"
The writer speaks about feeling completely exhausted and weak as if he were water being poured out of a jar.
"all my bones are out of place." It is possible the writer is in some kind of physical pain. Or he may be speaking of his emotional pain as if it were physical pain.
The writer speaks about no longer having courage as if his heart melted like wax. Here "heart" represents "courage."
a soft substance that melts at a relatively low temperature
"inside of me"
The writer speaks about feeling weak as if his strength were like a dry piece of pottery that can easily break.
an object made of baked clay that can be used in the house
"my tongue sticks to the top of my mouth." The writer may be describing his extreme thirst. Or he may be continuing to speak about being weak as if he were completely dry.
Possible meanings for "dust of death" are 1) it refers to a person turning to dust after they die. Alternate translation: "You are about to let me die and become dust" or 2) it is a way of speaking about the grave, which would mean God is causing the writer to die. Alternate translation: "You have laid me in my grave"
The "you" is singular and refers to God.
The writer speaks about his enemies as if they were dogs. His enemies are coming close to him like wild dogs do to a dying animal. Alternate translation: "my enemies are like dogs that have surrounded me"
"a group of evildoers" or "a gang of evildoers"
stood in a circle
This continues the dog metaphor. The writer speaks about his enemies as if they were dogs that are biting and piercing his hands and feet with their teeth.
stabbed through something with a sharp object
Possible meanings are 1) the writer is so thin that he can see his bones. Alternate translation: "I can see all of my bones" or "I can feel each of my bones" or 2) this continues the dog metaphor and the writer can see his bones after the dogs have ripped his flesh.
The words "look" and "stare" mean basically the same thing and emphasize that people look at him awkwardly and make fun of him.
"my clothes"
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "Be very close"
Here "strength" represents Yahweh who gives him strength. Alternate translation: "you who give me strength"
Here "soul" stands for the whole person. Alternate translation: "Rescue me"
The sword is a common way of referring to a violent enemy. Alternate translation: "those who want to kill me" or "my enemies"
"my precious life" or "the only life I have"
The writer speaks about his enemies as if they were dogs to emphasize how dangerous his enemies are. Also, the claws stand for the animals as a whole in a synecdoche. The writer emphasizes this part of the animal because it is what the animals would use to kill someone.
The word "wild" here means that no one has captured and tamed the animal.
The writer speaks about his enemies as if they were lions and wild oxen to emphasize how dangerous his enemies are. Also, the mouth and horns stand for the animals as a whole in a synecdoche. The writer emphasizes these parts of the animals because they are what the animals would use to kill someone.
The word "wild" here means that no one has captured and tamed the animal.
"I will make known your name." Here "name" stands for God's character or reputation. Alternate translation: "I will talk about your character"
Here "brothers" means "my fellow Israelites" or "my fellow worshipers of Yahweh"
"when my fellow Israelites and I gather together" or "when I am surrounded by my fellow worshipers of Yahweh"
Here "You" is plural.
Both of these refer to the same group of people.
"Be full of awe for him" or "Let God's power amaze you"
Possible meanings are 1) he has not despised the afflicted one because he is suffering or 2) he has not belittled the suffering of the afflicted one
These two words mean basically the same thing and emphasize that God has not forgotten the one who is afflicted and suffering.
strongly disliked or hated
Here, suffering is a metonym for the person who suffers. To abhor something is to think of it as horrible. Alternate translation: "he has not ... thought of the afflicted one who suffers as horrible"
Possible meanings are 1) the author was speaking about how God treats people who are suffering. Alternate translation: "those who suffer ... from them ... those who are suffering cried" or 2) the author was speaking specifically about how God treated him. Alternate translation: "my suffering because of my affliction ... from me ... I cried"
Hiding one's face from someone represents ignoring him. Alternate translation: "has not turned his attention away from him" or "has not ignored him"
"he listened." It is implied that he responded when he heard their cry. Alternate translation: "he answered" or "he helped"
Here "you" refers to Yahweh.
This refers to sacrifices the writer promised to offer to God.
Here "him" refers to Yahweh. It can be stated as "you." Alternate translation: "in the presence of those who fear you"
This refers to the fellowship meal which occurs after the writer offers to God the sacrifices that he promised. He will invite those who were suffering to eat a part of the animal he sacrificed.
Those who want to know Yahweh and please him are spoken of as if they are literally seeking to find Yahweh.
Here "hearts" represent the whole person. Alternate translation: "May you live forever"
Here "your" is plural and refers to the oppressed people.
Starting to obey Yahweh is spoken of as if the people physically turn toward Yahweh. Alternate translation: "will remember Yahweh and obey him"
This means the same thing as the first part of the sentence. The writer is emphasizing that everyone from every place will worship and obey Yahweh.
This is a sign of giving honor and respect to someone.
Here "you" refers to Yahweh. It can be translated in the third person to match the first part of the sentence. Alternate translation: "before him"
"For the kingdom belongs to Yahweh." Here "kingdom" represents God's rule as king. Alternate translation: "For Yahweh is king"
Here "nations" represents the people of the nations. Alternate translation: "he rules the people of the nations"
The people will eat together at the feast. Alternate translation: "will eat together" or "will eat a festive meal together"
Both phrases refers to the same group. They both refer to all people because all people will die.
Here "dust" represents the grave. The phrase "descending into the dust" is a way of referring to someone dying. Alternate translation: "those who are dying" or "those who die"
"those who cannot save their own lives" or "those who cannot keep themselves from dying"
Here "A generation" represents the people of a generation. The phrase "to come" speaks about a future time as if it were something that travels and arrives somewhere. Alternate translation: "People in the future generations"
Here "generation" represents the people of that generation. Alternate translation: "the people of the next generation" or "their children"
"about the Lord" or "about what the Lord has done"
The abstract noun "righteousness" can be stated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "tell of the righteous things he has done"
1 Yahweh is my shepherd; I will lack nothing.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside tranquil water.
3 He brings back my life;
he guides me along paths that are right
for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will fear no harm, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you have anointed my head with oil;
my cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and covenant faithfulness will pursue me
all the days of my life;
and I will live in the house of Yahweh
for the length of my days!
Psalm 23 is a psalm of praise to God for his continued care and protection. The psalmist praises God for always being with him and for caring for him.
Psalm 23 is an extended metaphor speaking of God as if he were a shepherd, and of the psalmist as if he were a sheep.
In much of this psalm, David writes as if he were a sheep and the Lord were his shepherd. Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
The writer speaks about Yahweh as if he were a shepherd. This emphasizes how God cares for people as a shepherd cares for his sheep. Alternate translation: "Yahweh is like a shepherd to me" or "Yahweh cares for me as a shepherd cares for his sheep"
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "I have everything that I need"
The writer speaks about himself as if he were a sheep, and he speaks about Yahweh as if he were a shepherd. Alternate translation: He gives me rest like a shepherd who leads his sheep to lie down in green pastures"
The writer speaks about himself as if he were a sheep, and he speaks about Yahweh as if he were a shepherd. Alternate translation: "he provides what I need like a shepherd who leads his sheep beside tranquil water"
"calm water" or "water that flows gently." This water is safe to drink.
This psalm continues to tell about how God cares for us as a shepherd cares for his sheep.
This means God makes a person who is weak and tired to be strong and rested again.
Showing a person how to live in a way that pleases God is spoken of as if it were a shepherd showing a sheep the right path to take. Alternate translation: "he shows me how to live right"
The phrase "his name" here refers to his reputation. Alternate translation: "for his reputation" or "so that people will honor him"
This psalm continues to tell about how God cares for us as a shepherd cares for his sheep.
The writer describes a person experiencing terrible trouble as if he were a sheep walking through a dark and dangerous valley. There a sheep could get lost or attacked by a wild animal. Alternate translation: "Though my life is like walking through a dark and dangerous valley"
The abstract noun "harm" can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: "I will not be afraid of something harming me"
Here "you" refers to Yahweh.
The rod and staff represent protection because shepherds use them to protect their sheep from danger. Alternate translation: "I am not afraid because you protect me like a shepherd who protects his sheep with his rod and staff"
Now the writer tells how God is like someone who welcomes a guest into his home and protects him.
A table represents a feast because people would put all the food on a table.
The meaning here is that the writer is not worried about his enemies because he is an honored guest of the Lord and therefore protected from harm. Alternate translation: "despite the presence of my enemies"
People sometimes put oil on their guests' heads in order to honor them.
Here a cup of wine that overflows represents many blessings. Alternate translation: "You fill my cup so much that it overflows" or "You give me many blessings"
Yahweh being good and faithful to a person is spoken of as if goodness and covenant faithfulness are things that pursue after a person. The abstract nouns "goodness" and "faithfulness" can be translated as adjectives. Alternate translation: "Surely you will be good and faithful to me"
The abstract noun "life" can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: "as long as I live"
Possible meanings are that 1) this refers to Yahweh's eternal home, or 2) this refers to Yahweh's temple in Jerusalem. If possible, translate it so that both meanings could be understood.
This idiom refers to the duration of his life. Alternate translation: "as long as I live" or "forever"
1 The earth is Yahweh's, and its fullness,
the world, and all who live in it.
2 For he has founded it upon the seas
and established it on the rivers.
3 Who will ascend the mountain of Yahweh?
Who will stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart;
who has not lifted up a falsehood,
and has not sworn an oath in order to deceive.
5 He will receive a blessing from Yahweh
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
those who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah
7 Lift up your heads, you gates;
be lifted up, everlasting doors,
so that the King of glory may come in!
8 Who is this King of glory?
Yahweh, strong and mighty;
Yahweh, mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, you gates;
be lifted up, everlasting doors,
so that the King of glory may come in!
10 Who is this King of glory?
Yahweh of hosts,
he is the King of glory. Selah
Psalm 24 is a psalm of praise to God as the almighty God. (See: almighty)
Only the righteous come to worship God. (See: righteous)
The psalmists uses several rhetorical questions. Each question forms a unit with a response.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
The abstract noun "fullness" can be stated with the verb "fills." Alternate translation: "everything that fills it"
Here "founded it upon the seas" and "established it on the rivers" mean basically the same thing. The Hebrews of that time believed their land was supported by the oceans and deep underground rivers. Alternate translation: For he formed its foundation on the seas and built it on the deep waters"
These phrases are used together to refer to the huge deep ocean below the earth.
"the water that is deep below"
Both of these questions mean basically the same thing. The speaker is asking about who is allowed to go and worship Yahweh.
"will go up" or "will climb"
This refers to Mount Zion in Jerusalem.
This refers Yahweh's temple. His temple is on Mount Zion in Jerusalem.
Here "He" does not refer to a specific person. Alternate translation: "Those who have ... who have ... and have not"
The word "hands" represents what a person does. For his "hands" to be clean means he does what is right. Alternate translation: "who does what is right"
Here "heart" represents a person's thoughts or motives. Alternate translation: "thinks good thoughts" or "does not think about doing what is wrong"
Here "falsehood" represents a false idol. To "lift up" means to worship. Alternate translation: "who has not worshiped an idol"
The word "he" does not refer to a specific person. It refers to the ones with pure hearts mentioned in previous verse. The abstract noun "blessing" can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: "Yahweh will bless them"
The abstract noun "righteousness" can be stated as "righteously." And, "salvation" can be stated as "save." Alternate translation: "God will deal righteously with him and save him"
Here "generation" represents people in general. Alternate translation: "The people who seek him are like this"
Both statements mean the same thing. They both refer to those who go to the temple to worship God. Alternate translation: "the ones who approach God, they are the ones who may worship God, the one we Israelites worship"
Going to the temple to worship Yahweh is spoken of as if the person is literally seeking to find him.
Here "face" stands for the whole person. Alternate translation: "the God of Jacob"
The two phases are very similar in meaning. The words "gates" and "doors" refer to the gates of the temple. The writer is speaking to the gates as if they were a person. A gatekeeper would be the one to open the gates. Alternate translation: "Open up, you ancient gates" or "Open these ancient gates"
It is uncertain what specific part of the gate is the "head." But, it stands for the gate as a whole.
The writer speaks about Yahweh as if he were a mighty warrior who fights in battles.
The two phases are very similar in meaning. The words "gates" and "doors" refer to the gates of the temple. The writer is speaking to the gates as if they were a person. A gatekeeper would be the one to open the gates. See how you translated this in [Psalms 24:7]
It is uncertain what specific part of the gate is the "head." But, it stands for the gate as a whole.
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1 To you, Yahweh,
I lift up my life!
2 My God, I trust in you.
Do not let me be humiliated;
do not let my enemies rejoice triumphantly over me.
3 May no one who hopes in you be disgraced;
may those who act treacherously without cause be ashamed!
4 Make known to me your ways, Yahweh;
teach me your paths.
5 Guide me into your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
I hope in you all day long.
6 Call to mind, Yahweh, your acts of compassion and of covenant faithfulness;
for they have always existed.
7 Do not think about the sins of my youth
or my rebelliousness;
Call me to mind with covenant faithfulness
because of your goodness, Yahweh!
8 Yahweh is good and upright;
therefore he teaches sinners the way.
9 He guides the humble in what is right
and he teaches them his way.
10 All the paths of Yahweh are steadfast love and faithfulness
to those who keep his covenant and his solemn commands.
11 For your name's sake, Yahweh,
pardon my iniquity, for it is great.
12 Who is the man who fears Yahweh?
The Lord will instruct him in the way that he should choose.
13 His life will go along in goodness;
and his descendants will inherit the land.
14 The friendship of Yahweh is for those who honor him,
and he makes his covenant known to them.
15 My eyes are always on Yahweh,
for he will free my feet from the net.
16 Turn toward me and have mercy on me;
for I am alone and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
draw me out from my distress!
18 See my affliction and my toils;
forgive all my sins.
19 See my enemies, for they are many;
they hate me with violent hatred.
20 Protect my life and rescue me;
do not let me be humiliated,
for I take refuge in you!
21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me,
for I hope in you.
22 Rescue Israel, God,
from all of his troubles!
Psalm 25 is a prayer for God's help.
God is very good to humble people who seek to obey him.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
The phrase "lift up my life" is a metaphor. Possible meanings are 1) the writer is giving himself to Yahweh, which means he is completely depending on Yahweh. Alternate translation: "I give myself to you" or 2) he is offering prayer and adoration to Yahweh. Alternate translation: "I worship and adore you"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Do not let my enemies humiliate me"
"rejoice in triumph over me." The phrase "over me" implies that his enemies have defeated him and stand above in victory. Alternate translation: "defeat me and rejoice about it"
"Do not let those who hope in you be disgraced." Disgrace could come from being defeated by their enemies. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Do not let enemies defeat those who hope in you"
"who trusts you"
"act deceitfully" or "act with trickery"
"without a reason"
Both statements mean the same thing. God teaching a person how they should behave is spoken of as if he were showing a person the correct path on which a person should travel.
"I depend on you" or "I wait patiently for you"
Guide and teach mean the same thing, to give instruction. Alternate translation: "Instruct me to conduct my life by obeying your truth"
The abstract noun "salvation" can be stated as "saves." Alternate translation: "the one who saves me"
This is an idiom. This does not mean God forgot something. The writer is asking God to think about and consider his acts of compassion and faithfulness. Alternate translation: "Remember" or "Think about"
The abstract nouns "compassion" and "faithfulness" can be stated as adjectives. Alternate translation: "how you have been compassionate and faithful to your covenant"
Here "they" personifies God's compassion and covenant faithfulness. Alternate translation: "for that is how you have always been"
The abstract noun "sins" can be stated as "sinned." Alternate translation: "Do not think about how I sinned against you when I was young"
The abstract noun "rebelliousness" can be stated as "rebelled." Alternate translation: or about how I have rebelled against you"
This is an idiom. This does not mean God forgot something. The writer is asking God to think about him. Alternate translation: "Remember me" or "Think about me"
The abstract nouns "faithfulness" and "goodness" can be stated as adjectives. Alternate translation: "and be faithful to me because of your covenant, because you are good"
How God wants a person to behave is spoken of as if it were a way or path on which a person travels.
This nominal adjective can be stated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "humble people" or "those who are humble"
How God wants a person to behave is spoken of as if it were a way or path on which a person travels.
Here "paths" is a metaphor that represents what some one does or their character. The abstract nouns "loves" and "faithfulness" can be expressed with the verb "love" and the adjective "faithful." Alternate translation: "Yahweh always loves and is faithful"
The phrase "your name" here refers to Yahweh's reputation. Alternate translation: "For your reputation" or "So that people will honor you"
The abstract noun "iniquity" can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: "please forgive me, for I have sinned much"
This question introduces "the man who fears Yahweh" as a new topic. Alternate translation: "I will tell you about the man who fears Yahweh."
These words refer to any person who fears Yahweh, not a specific person. Alternate translation: "are those who fear ... instruct them ... they should"
Yahweh teaching people how they should behave is spoken of as if Yahweh were teaching the people what way or path they should travel.
These words refer to any person who fears Yahweh, not a specific person. Alternate translation: "Their lives ... their descendants"
"God will cause him to prosper" or "God will cause them to prosper"
"Yahweh is a friend to those." Some translate it as "Yahweh confides in those." His confiding in them shows the intimate friendship he has with them.
Here "eyes" represents looking. It is implied that he looks to Yahweh for help. Alternate translation: "I always look to Yahweh to help me" or "I always depend on Yahweh to help me"
A net is a trap. A person who is in danger is spoken of as if their feet are tangled in a net. Alternate translation: He will rescue me from danger"
Yahweh paying attention to a person and considering him is spoken of as if Yahweh were physically turning towards the person.
Here "heart" represents a person's emotions. Alternate translation: "I feel more and more troubled"
"bring me out of my distress." This speaks of distress as if it were a place that a person can be brought out of. Alternate translation: "rescue me from my distress" or "relieve me of my distress"
The word "distress" is an abstract noun. Alternate translation: "the things that distress me" or "the things that cause me to be afraid"
"Notice my affliction"
The abstract noun "affliction" can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: "the things that afflict me" or "how afflicted I am"
The word "toils" is an abstract noun. Alternate translation: "the things that trouble me"
"they hate me and want to do violence to me"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Do not let my enemies humiliate me"
Going to Yahweh for protection is spoken of as taking refuge in him. Alternate translation: "go to you for protection!"
This speaks about "integrity" and "uprightness" as if they were persons who could keep another person safe. These abstract nouns can be stated as adjectives. Alternate translation: "May being honest and doing what is right preserve me" or "Preserve me, Lord, because I am honest and do what is right"
"keep me safe"
"Save Israel" or "Redeem Israel"
Here "Israel" represents the people of Israel. Alternate translation: "the people of Israel ... our troubles"
1 Judge me, Yahweh,
for I have walked with integrity;
I have trusted in Yahweh without wavering.
2 Examine me, Yahweh, and test me;
test the purity of my inner parts and my heart!
3 For your covenant faithfulness is before my eyes,
and I walk about in your faithfulness.
4 I do not associate with deceitful people,
nor do I mingle with dishonest people.
5 I hate the assembly of evildoers,
and I do not live with the wicked.
6 I wash my hands in innocence,
and I go around your altar, Yahweh,
7 to sing a loud song of praise
and report all your wonderful deeds.
8 Yahweh, I love the house where you live,
the place where your glory lives!
9 Do not sweep me away with sinners,
or my life with men of bloodshed,
10 in whose hands there is a plot,
and whose right hand is full of bribes.
11 But as for me, I will walk in integrity;
redeem me and have mercy on me.
12 My foot stands on level ground;
in the assemblies will I bless Yahweh!
Psalm 26 is a teaching psalm; showing people how they should live by the example of the psalmsist.
The psalmist delights in praising God and doing good deeds. It is striking how this psalm uses the first person pronoun. This is an individual psalm of petition. Each of the four petitions are accompanied with various claims. (See: good and works)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
The word "walked" is a metaphor for behavior. Alternate translation: "I have behaved"
The third person use of "Yahweh" can be stated in the second person. Alternate translation: "in you"
Doubting is spoken of as if it were losing balance and waving back and forth. Alternate translation: "without doubting"
"Try me"
Here "inner parts" and "heart" mean motives. Alternate translation: "test whether my motives are good"
Here "eyes" represent a person's thoughts and having something before one's eyes represents being aware of that thing. The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "For I am always aware of your covenant faithfulness" or "For I am always aware that you are faithful to your covenant"
The word "walk" is a metaphor for behavior. The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "I conduct my life according to your faithfulness" or "I behave the way I do because you are faithful"
"I do not keep company with" or "I do not sit with"
"with those who deceive others"
This means the same as the first part of the sentence. Alternate translation: "and I do not join with dishonest people"
"hypocrites" or "those who lie to others"
"those who gather to do evil"
This is a nominal adjective. Alternate translation: "wicked people" or "those who are wicked"
This seems to refer to a ritual washing of hands in water to symbolize freedom from sin and guilt.
This was an action of worship that the Israelites were accustomed to doing.
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Possible meanings are 1) if a person wrote this after the time of David, then the writer is referring to the temple in Jerusalem or 2) if David wrote this, then this refers to the tent that God told his people to set up so that they could worship him there.
Here "glory" represents the presence and power of God, which is similar to a very bright light. Alternate translation: "the place where people can see the glorious light of your presence"
"Sweep away" here is a metaphor for destruction. Alternate translation: "Do not destroy me along with sinners"
The word "sweep" is understood. Alternate translation: "or sweep my life"
"people who are eager to shed others' blood" or "murderers"
"Hands" refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: "people in which"
"a wicked plan"
This phrase shows that the writer is changing from speaking about wicked people to talking about himself.
"Walk" here is a metaphor for behavior. Alternate translation: "I will behave with integrity"
Here "foot" represents the whole person. Alternate translation: "I stand"
Possible meanings are that "level ground" represents 1) a safe place or 2) right behavior
"when I gather with the people of Israel I will praise you"
1 Yahweh is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
Yahweh is my life's refuge;
whom should I dread?
2 When evildoers approached me to devour my flesh,
my adversaries and my enemies stumbled and fell.
3 Though an army encamps against me,
my heart will not fear;
though war rises up against me,
even then I will remain confident.
4 One thing have I asked of Yahweh,
and I will seek that:
that I may live in the house of Yahweh
all the days of my life,
to see the beauty of Yahweh
and to meditate in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
he will hide me in his shelter;
in the cover of his tent he will conceal me.
He will lift me high on a rock!
6 Then my head will be lifted up above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer sacrifices of joy in his tent!
I will sing and make songs to Yahweh!
7 Hear, Yahweh, my voice when I cry out!
Have mercy on me, and answer me!
8 My heart says about you,
"Seek his face!" I seek your face, Yahweh!
9 Do not hide your face from me;
do not turn your servant away in anger!
You have been my helper;
do not abandon me or reject me,
God of my salvation!
10 Even if my father and my mother abandon me,
Yahweh will take me in.
11 Teach me your way, Yahweh!
Lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
12 Do not give me up to the desires of my enemies,
for false witnesses have risen up against me,
and they breathe out violence!
13 What would have happened to me
if I had not believed that I would see the goodness of Yahweh
in the land of the living?
14 Wait for Yahweh;
be strong, and let your heart be courageous!
Wait for Yahweh!
Psalm 27 is a psalm of praise to God because God keeps the psalmist safe from all his enemies.
Because of God's help, he has nothing to fear, no matter what happens. The psalmist shows his confidence in God; he also asks God for help.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
Here "light" represents life. Alternate translation: "Yahweh is the source of my life"
This question emphasizes that there is no one that David should fear. Alternate translation: "I will not be afraid of anyone"
This speaks about Yahweh as if he were a place where people can go for safety. Alternate translation: "Yahweh is the one who keeps me safe"
This question emphasizes that there is no one that David should be afraid of. Alternate translation: "I will not dread anyone"
Destroying someone completely is spoken of as if it were devouring a person's flesh. He did not mean that they wanted to eat his body. Alternate translation: "to destroy me"
These words mean the same thing. These are the evildoers who came near to him.
This represents the writer's enemies failing to fulfill their plans to harm the writer. Alternate translation: "did not succeed" or "failed"
"though an army surrounds me" or "though an army puts its tents around me"
Here "heart" represents the whole person. Alternate translation: "I will not be afraid"
The writer's enemies are spoken of as if they themselves were a war. Alternate translation: "though my enemies come to fight against me"
"I will continue to trust God to help me"
"I have asked Yahweh to let me do"
A person really wanting something and continually asking God for it is spoken of as if he were seeking to find something.
The wonderful character of God is spoken of as if it were physical beauty. Alternate translation: "to see how wonderful Yahweh is"
Possible meanings are 1) "to ask God what he wants me to do" or 2) "to think carefully about God in his temple."
"in times of trouble" or "when I have troubles"
"he will protect me"
Both of these refer to the tabernacle where the writer is worshiping God.
The word "cover" represents something that hides and protects.
God keeping the writer safe from his enemies is spoken of as if God were placing him on a high rock where his enemies cannot reach him.
This represents the writer receiving pride or honor when he defeats his enemies. It can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "people will honor me when I win the fight against my enemies" or "God will honor me by enabling me to defeat my enemies"
The "voice" often represents a person who speak or calls out. Alternate translation: "Yahweh, hear me"
This implies that Yahweh hears the writer's prayer and Yahweh will do what the writer asks. Alternate translation: "answer my prayer" or "do what I request of you"
Here "heart" represents a person's mind or thoughts. Alternate translation: "In my heart I say" or "I say to myself"
A person going to the temple to pray to Yahweh is spoken of as if the person were seeking to find Yahweh. Here "face" represents all of God. Alternate translation: "Go and pray to Yahweh"
A person going to the temple to pray to Yahweh is spoken of as if the person were seeking to find Yahweh. Here "face" represents all of God. Alternate translation: "I will come to your temple to pray to you"
The face here represents Yahweh's attention, and hiding the face represents rejecting someone. Alternate translation: "Do not reject me" or "Do not stop taking care of me"
David said "your servant" to refer to himself in a humble way. Alternate translation: "do not be angry with me"
The words "abandon" and "reject" have similar meanings. The writer is emphasizing that he does not want God to leave him.
The abstract noun "salvation" can be stated as "saves." Alternate translation: "God who saves me" or "because you are the God who saves me"
He is not saying that they actually have done this or that they would do it. His point is that even if they did that, God would not abandon him.
"Yahweh will keep me" or "Yahweh will take care of me"
How a person should behave is spoken of as if it were a way or path that person should travel. Alternate translation: "Teach me how you want me to live" or "Teach me to do what you want me to do"
Yahweh keeping the writer safe from his enemies is spoken of as if Yahweh leads the writer on a level path where he will not stumble and fall. Alternate translation: "Keep me safe"
The abstract noun "desires" can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: "Do not let my enemies do to me what they desire"
"Risen up" here is an idiom meaning that a witness stood in court to present testimony. Alternate translation: "have stood up in order to speak against me"
Here violence is spoken for as if it was something a person could breathe out. Alternate translation: "they say that they will do violent things to me"
This rhetorical question can be stated positively. Alternate translation: "Something bad would have happened to me"
The abstract noun "goodness" can be stated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "the good things that Yahweh does"
This refers to being alive. Alternate translation: "while I am alive"
This verse may be 1) the writer speaking to himself or 2) the writer speaking to others or 3) someone speaking to the writer.
Here "heart" represents the whole person. Alternate translation: "be courageous"
This line is repeated at the end of the psalm as a way of ending the psalm.
1 To you, Yahweh, I cry out;
my rock, do not ignore me.
If you do not respond to me,
I will join those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear the sound of my pleading
when I call for help from you,
when I lift up my hands
toward your most holy place!
3 Do not drag me away with the wicked,
those who behave wickedly,
who speak peace with their neighbors
but have evil in their hearts.
4 Give them what their deeds deserve
and repay them what their wickedness demands;
repay them for the work of their hands
and render to them their due.
5 Because they do not understand the deeds of Yahweh
or the work of his hands,
he will break them down
and never rebuild them.
6 Blessed be Yahweh
because he has heard the sound of my pleading!
7 Yahweh is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
and I will praise him with singing.
8 Yahweh is the strength of his people,
and he is the saving refuge of his anointed one.
9 Save your people and bless your inheritance.
Be their shepherd and carry them forever.
Psalm 28 is a psalm of prayer to God that he is not be punished along with the wicked people. (See: evil)
The psalmist trusted God completely and God rescued him. This is similar to psalm 7 and 17 because it is an individual lament psalm. (See: lament)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"I call out loudly"
This is a metaphor for strength. Alternate translation: "my strength"
"do not be silent to me" or "do not leave me alone"
The pit is either the grave or the place where dead people are. Alternate translation: "I will die like those who are in the grave"
Here "sound" refers to the content of his request. Alternate translation: "Hear my strong request"
Lifting up hands is a symbol of worship. The writer is not worshiping the holy place, but Yahweh who lives in the holy place.
Possible meanings are 1) if David wrote this, then this refers to the tent that God told his people to set up so that they could worship him there, or 2) if a person wrote this after the time of David, then the writer is referring to the temple in Jerusalem.
God punishing people is spoken of as if he physically drags them away. In this metaphor Yahweh may be dragging them to prison, exile, or death. Alternate translation: "Do not remove me"
Here "neighbors" refers to people in general. Alternate translation: "who speak peacefully with other people"
Here "hearts" represents a person's mind or thoughts. Alternate translation: "but are thinking something evil about them"
These two phrases mean the same thing. They are used together to emphasize that they deserve for God to punish them.
Here "hands" represent what the person has done. Alternate translation: "the things they have done"
"give them what they deserve"
Possible meanings are 1) David is confident about what God will do to wicked people or 2) David is asking God to destroy the wicked people.
It is implied that "do not understand" means they ignore or do not honor Yahweh's works. Alternate translation: "they do not regard with honor what Yahweh has done"
Here "hands" represents what Yahweh has done or created. Alternate translation: "what he has created"
The punishment of the wicked people is spoken of as if they were a building or a city that God would destroy.
Here "sound" represents what the writer said. Alternate translation: "has heard what I said when I pleaded to him"
The abstract noun "strength" can be stated as "strong." Alternate translation: "Yahweh makes me strong"
This represents Yahweh's protecting the writer. Alternate translation: "he protects me"
Here "heart" represents the whole person. Alternate translation: "I trust"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "he helps me"
Here "heart" represents the whole person. Alternate translation: "I greatly rejoice"
The abstract noun "strength" can be stated as "strong." Alternate translation: "Yahweh makes his people strong"
Yahweh keeping the king safe is spoken of as if Yahweh were a place that the king could go for safety. Alternate translation: "he keeps safe the one he appointed to be king"
The words "anointed one" represent the king.
This speaks about the people of God as if they were something God inherited. Alternate translation: "your possession" or "those who belong to you"
The writer speaks about Yahweh as if he were a shepherd and the people are his sheep. A shepherd would carry a sheep if it needed help or protection. Alternate translation: "Be like their shepherd and protect them forever"
1 Ascribe to Yahweh, you sons of God,
ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength!
2 Ascribe to Yahweh the glory his name deserves.
Bow down to Yahweh in the splendor of holiness!
3 The voice of Yahweh is heard over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
Yahweh thunders over many waters.
4 The voice of Yahweh is powerful;
the voice of Yahweh is majestic.
5 The voice of Yahweh breaks the cedars;
Yahweh breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf
and Sirion like a young ox.
7 The voice of Yahweh sends out flames of fire.
8 The voice of Yahweh shakes the wilderness;
Yahweh shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of Yahweh causes the oaks to twist
and strips the forests bare.
Everyone in his temple says, "Glory!"
10 Yahweh sits as king over the flood;
Yahweh sits as king forever.
11 Yahweh gives strength to his people;
Yahweh blesses his people with peace.
Psalm 29 is a worship psalm. It tells how Yahweh rules all nature.
God is powerful. All he has to do is to speak in order to control nature.
The voice of the Yahweh stands for Yahweh himself.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
The phrase "sons of" is a way of saying "having the characteristics of." Alternate translation: "you mighty men"
The abstract nouns "glory" and "strength" can be stated as adjectives. Alternate translation: "praise Yahweh because he is glorious and strong"
The abstract noun "glory" can be stated as a verb or adjective. Alternate translation: "Honor Yahweh just as his name deserves" or "Proclaim that Yahweh is glorious just as his name deserves"
The phrase "his name" refers to Yahweh or his reputation. Alternate translation: "as is proper because of who he is"
The implied information is that the people were to bow down in worship. Alternate translation: "Bow down to worship Yahweh"
The abstract nouns "splendor" and "holiness" can be translated as adjectives. Alternate translation: "because he is gloriously beautiful and holy"
The psalm shows Yahweh's power and glory.
God's voice is louder and clearer than all other sounds and noises. It can be heard over other loud sounds such as the sound of the waters. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "When Yahweh speaks his voice is louder than the sound of the sea" or "Yahweh shouts louder than the sound of the waters"
This refers to the seas or the oceans. These waters make a very loud noise as the waves rise and fall.
All occurrences of "voice" here represent Yahweh speaking. The writer is emphasizing that when Yahweh speaks, the sound is so loud it is heard over the waters, and it is so powerful it can destroy the largest trees. Alternate translation: "When Yahweh speaks, his voice"
This speaks about God speaking as if it were the sound of thunder. Just like the sound of thunder, Yahweh's voice can be heard over large distances. Alternate translation: "The voice of the glorious God is loud like thunder" or "When the glorious God speaks it rumbles like thunder"
"over the large bodies of water"
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The writer continues describing the power of God's voice.
The ground of Lebanon shaking is spoken of as if it were a young calf skipping. This emphasizes that when Yahweh speaks, the power of his voice shakes the ground. Alternate translation: "He makes the land of Lebanon shake like a calf skipping"
jump lightly back and forth
The words "he makes" and "skip" are understood from the first phrase. They can be repeated here. The ground of Sirion shaking is spoken of as if it were a young ox skipping. This emphasizes that when Yahweh speaks, the power of his voice shakes the ground. Alternate translation: "he makes Sirion skip like a young ox"
This is a mountain in Lebanon. It is also called Mount Hermon.
All occurrences of "voice" here represent Yahweh speaking. Alternate translation: "When Yahweh speaks he causes lightning to flash in the sky"
This refers to lightning.
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Here "voice" represents Yahweh speaking. Alternate translation: "When Yahweh speaks, the sound causes"
"the large trees to shake"
Removing the leaves of the trees is spoken of as if it was removing their clothing. Alternate translation: "strips off the leaves from the trees"
This means that Yahweh rules. Alternate translation: "Yahweh rules" or "Yahweh is king"
Here "flood" refers to waters that cover the earth.
The word "peace" is an abstract noun. Alternate translation: "Yahweh blesses his people by causing them to prosper and to live peacefully"
1 I will exalt you, Yahweh,
for you have raised me up
and have not allowed my enemies to rejoice over me.
2 Yahweh my God, I cried to you for help,
and you healed me.
3 Yahweh, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;
you have kept me alive from going down to the pit.
4 Sing praises to Yahweh, you his faithful ones!
Give thanks when you remember his holiness.
5 For his anger is only for a moment;
but his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping comes for a night,
but joy comes in the morning.
6 In confidence I said, "I will never be shaken."
7 Yahweh, by your favor
you established me as a strong mountain;
but when you hid your face,
I was troubled.
8 I cried to you, Yahweh,
and sought favor from my Lord!
9 What advantage is there in my blood,
if I go down to the grave?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it declare your trustworthiness?
10 Hear, Yahweh, and have mercy on me!
Yahweh, be my helper.
11 You have turned my mourning into dancing;
you have removed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.
12 So now my glory will sing praise to you and not be silent;
Yahweh my God, I will give thanks to you forever!
Psalm 30 is a psalm of praise and thanksgiving to God. The psalmist was near death but God rescued him.
If he had died, it would not have been a help to God. But since God rescued him he can praise God.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This song was sung when the temple was dedicated"
The writer speaks of God rescuing him and keeping him from dying as if God had drawn him up from a deep well. Alternate translation: "you rescued me"
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Since "Sheol" was the place where dead people go, it refers to death. Alternate translation: "kept me from dying"
Here "my soul" refers to the writer. Alternate translation: "brought me up"
The "pit" represents death. Alternate translation: "from dying"
The abstract nouns "thanks" and "holiness" can be stated as "thank" and "holy." Alternate translation: "Remember that God is holy and thank him" or "Remember what God has done because he is holy and thank him"
"his anger lasts only a moment." The abstract noun "anger" can be stated as "angry." Alternate translation: "he is angry for only a moment"
Here "moment" represents a short amount of time. Alternate translation: "a short time"
The abstract noun "favor" can be stated as the adjective "good." Alternate translation: "but he is good to us all of our lives"
This speaks about "weeping" and "joy" as if they were something that travels and arrives at a certain time. Alternate translation: "We may cry during the night, but the next morning we will be joyful"
The word "confidence" is an abstract noun. The writer recalls a time when he was prospering and felt confident and safe. Alternate translation: "When I was confident" or "When I felt safe"
The word "shaken" is a metaphor for defeat. Alternate translation: "No one will defeat me"
The abstract noun "favor" can be stated as the verb "favored" or the adjective "kind." Alternate translation: "when you favored me" or "when you were kind to me"
The writer's security is spoken of as if he were a strong mountain. Alternate translation: "you made me as secure as a high mountain"
This is an idiom. Alternate translation: "when you stopped helping me" or "when you rejected me"
"I was fearful" or "I was worried"
The phrase "sought favor" means to ask for help. Alternate translation: "I pleaded for you to help me"
The writer is referring to Yahweh in third person. It can be stated in second person. Alternate translation: "from you, my Lord"
The writer uses this question to emphasize that he would be of no value to God if he were dead. Alternate translation: "There is no advantage in my blood, if I go down to the grave."
Here "blood" is a metonym for a violent death. Alternate translation: "if I die a violent death"
The writer uses these questions to emphasize that his dead and decayed body cannot praise God. Alternate translation: "The dust will certainly not praise you or tell others about how trustworthy you are."
This refers to the body of the writer which will decay and become dust when he is dead. Alternate translation: "my decayed body"
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It was customary for the Jews to dance when they were very happy. The abstract nouns "mourning" and "dancing" can be stated as verbs. Alternate translation: "You have caused me to stop mourning and to dance with joy instead"
Sackcloth was associated with mourning and sorrow. Alternate translation: "You have caused me to no longer be sad"
The writer speaks of gladness as if it were a garment that he could put on. Alternate translation: "caused me to be glad"
Here "my glory" refers to the writer's soul or heart or inner being. This represents the entire person of the writer, who worships God because God has made him glad. Alternate translation: "I will sing praise to you"
1 In you, Yahweh, I take refuge;
never let me be humiliated.
Rescue me in your righteousness.
2 Listen to me; rescue me quickly;
be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to save me.
3 For you are my rock and my fortress;
therefore for your name's sake, lead and guide me.
4 Pluck me out of the net that they have hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.
5 Into your hands I entrust my spirit;
you will redeem me, Yahweh, God of trustworthiness.
6 I hate those who serve worthless idols,
but I trust in Yahweh.
7 I will be glad and rejoice in your covenant faithfulness,
for you saw my affliction;
you knew the distress of my soul.
8 You have not given me into the hand of my enemy.
You have set my feet in a wide open place.
9 Have mercy upon me, Yahweh, for I am in distress;
my eyes grow weary with grief
with my soul and my body.
10 For my life is weary with sorrow
and my years with groaning.
My strength fails because of my iniquity,
and my bones are wasting away.
11 Because of all my enemies, I have become contemptible;
my neighbors are appalled at my situation,
and those who know me are horrified.
Those who see me in the street run from me.
12 I am forgotten as a dead man whom no one thinks about.
I am like a broken pot.
13 For I have heard the whispering of many,
terrifying news from every side
as they plot together against me.
They plot to take away my life.
14 But I trust in you, Yahweh;
I say, "You are my God."
15 My times are in your hand.
Rescue me from the hands of my enemies
and from those who pursue me.
16 Make your face shine on your servant;
save me in your covenant faithfulness.
17 Do not let me be humiliated, Yahweh;
for I call out to you!
May the wicked be humiliated!
May they be silent in Sheol.
18 May lying lips be silenced
that speak against the righteous defiantly
with arrogance and contempt.
19 How great is your goodness
that you have stored up for those who revere you,
that you perform for those who take refuge in you
before all the children of mankind!
20 In the shelter of your presence, you hide them from the plots of men.
You hide them in a shelter from the strife of tongues.
21 Blessed be Yahweh,
for he showed me his marvelous covenant faithfulness when I was in a besieged city.
22 Though I said in my alarm,
"I am cut off from your eyes,"
yet you heard my plea for help
when I cried to you.
23 Love Yahweh, all you faithful ones.
Yahweh protects the faithful,
but he pays back the arrogant in full.
24 Be strong and let your heart take courage,
all you who trust in Yahweh for help.
Psalm 31 is a psalm of deliverance. The psalmist's enemies thought they had defeated him, but God protected him. (See: deliverer)
Even though everyone deserted and despised the psalmist, God did not abandon him.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
Going to Yahweh for protection is spoken of as taking refuge in him. Alternate translation: "I go to you, Yahweh, for protection"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "do not let others humiliate me"
The phrase "be my rock of refuge" is a request for protection. The second phrase emphasizes the first phrase.
Yahweh is spoke of as if he were a huge rock that would protect the writer from attack. Alternate translation: "like a huge rock on which I can be safe"
Yahweh is spoken of as if he were a strong fortress in which the writer would be protected from his enemies.
Yahweh is spoke of as if he were a huge rock that would protect the writer from attack. Alternate translation: "like a huge rock on which I can be safe"
Yahweh is spoken of as if he were a strong fortress in which the writer would be protected from his enemies.
In this phrase "name" represents Yahweh. Alternate translation: "so that your name may be honored" or "so that I may worship you"
The words "lead" and "guide" mean basically the same thing and strengthen the request that Yahweh lead him. Alternate translation: "lead me where you want me to go"
The writer is spoken of as if he were a bird caught in a hidden net, and waiting for Yahweh to free him from the trap.
Yahweh is spoken of as if he is a place where the writer can hide from people who are attacking him. Alternate translation: "you always protect me" or "you give me constant protection"
God is spirit, but he is here spoken of as if he has hands. Here "your hands" refers to Yahweh's care. Alternate translation: "Into your care"
Here "my spirit" refers to the writer. Alternate translation: "I place myself"
"you are a God I can trust"
Here the word "worthless" refers to all idols. This can be clarified in translation. Alternate translation: "Idols are worthless. I hate those who serve them"
The words "glad" and "rejoice" share similar meanings and emphasize the intensity of joy. The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "I will be very glad because you are faithful to your covenant"
Both of these phrases express the idea that God knows about the writer's troubles.
Here "my soul" refers to the writer. Alternate translation: "my distress"
Here "my feet" refers to the writer. Alternate translation: "You have set me"
The Hebrews thought of wide open spaces as a metaphor for safety and freedom. Alternate translation: "a place where I am free"
"I am suffering greatly"
The terms "soul" and "body" are used to describe the complete person.
Here "my life" refers to the writer. Alternate translation: "I have become very weak"
"because of my sorrow ... because of my groaning"
The phrase "is weary" is missing, but is implied. Alternate translation: "my years are weary with groaning"
Here "My strength" refers to the writer. Alternate translation: "I have become weak"
Here "my bones" refers to the physical health of the writer. Alternate translation: "my health is failing"
The abstract noun "contemptible" can be translated as a verb. Alternate translation: "people have contempt for me" or "people insult me"
"are shocked at my condition"
People do not think about dead people. The writer does not think people think about him.
The writer speaks of himself as if he was completely useless. "as useless as a broken pot"
It is implied that "many" refers to people. Alternate translation: "many people talking about me"
"scary reports from many sources"
This idiom means to kill someone. Alternate translation: "kill me"
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Here "your hand" refers to Yahweh's power. Alternate translation: "You have the power to decide my future"
"from people who try to capture me"
The writer speaks of Yahweh acting favorably towards him as if Yahweh's face shone a light on him. Alternate translation: "Act favorably towards your servant"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "save me because you are faithful to your covenant"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Do not let others make me feel ashamed"
"I wish that God would disgrace wicked people!"
This refers to "wicked people.
Here "in Sheol" represents death. Alternate translation: "Let them die so they cannot speak"
This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: "May someone make these lying lips silent"
These represent lying people. Alternate translation: "people who lie"
Here "the righteous" refers to people who are righteous. Alternate translation: "that say terrible things about righteous people"
These terms have similar meanings. Alternate translation: "with a complete lack of respect"
This can be expressed with a verb. Alternate translation: "are the good things you do"
Yahweh's goodness is spoken of as if it was something that could be stored up like a harvest. Alternate translation: "that you are keeping ready to use"
"those who respect you greatly"
Going to Yahweh for protection is spoken of as taking refuge in him. See how you translated this in Psalms 31:1. Alternate translation: "those who go to you for protection"
These phrases both mean that God protects them.
Yahweh's presence is spoken of as if it is a strong building where the writer would be safe.
Here a "shelter" represents a safe place. Alternate translation: "You provide a safe place for them"
Here "tongues" refer to the people who are speaking violent things against the writer. Alternate translation: "where their enemies cannot speak evil at them"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "he showed me that he is wonderfully faithful to his covenant"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "You have removed me from your presence"
Here Yahweh is represented by his "eyes." Alternate translation: "you"
Here "plea" can be expressed with a verb. Alternate translation: "you heard me plead for help"
This refers to the faithful people. Alternate translation: "the people who are faithful"
Here "pay back" is an idiom that refers to punishment. Alternate translation: "he gives the proud people all of the punishment that they deserve"
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1 Blessed is the person
whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the man to whom Yahweh reckons no guilt
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3 When I remained silent,
my bones were wasting away
while I groaned all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me.
My strength withered as in summer drought. Selah
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I no longer hid my iniquity.
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to Yahweh,"
and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
6 For this reason every one of your faithful followers should pray to you
at a time of great distress.
When the surging waters overflow,
the waters will not reach them.
7 You are my hiding place;
you will guard me from trouble.
You will surround me with the songs of victory. Selah
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go.
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
9 Do not be like a horse or like a mule,
which have no understanding;
it is only with bridle and bit to control them
that they will go where you want them to.
10 The wicked have many sorrows,
but Yahweh's covenant faithfulness will surround the one who trusts in him.
11 Be glad in Yahweh, and rejoice, you righteous;
shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.
Psalm 32 is a psalm of confession of sin. (See: confess and sin)
This psalm tells of the sorrow of unconfessed sin; it also tells of the blessing of confession and of receiving God's forgiveness. It is such a blessing when God forgives sin. Trouble comes when sin is hidden and not confessed. (See: bless and forgive)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
Possible meanings are 1) David wrote the psalm or 2) the psalm is about David or 3) the psalm is in the style of David's psalms.
This may refer to a style of music.
These phrases have similar meanings. They can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "who God forgives his transgression and covers his sin"
Here sin that is forgiven is spoken of as if it were covered so that it can not be seen. Alternate translation: "whose sin is ignored" or "whose sin is deliberately forgotten"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "whom Yahweh sees as innocent" or "who is not guilty according to Yahweh"
Here "spirit" refers to the person. Alternate translation: "in whom there is not deceit" or "who is completely honest"
Here "my bones" refers to the writer. Alternate translation: "I was wasting away" or "I was getting weaker"
This idiom means "continually." Alternate translation: "all the time"
These extremes include everything in between. Alternate translation: "all the time"
Here "hand" refers to Yahweh. The entire phrase is an idiom that means "you afflicted me." Alternate translation: "you made me suffer greatly"
David's strength is compared to a small, green plant that turns brown and crumbles in the dry season.
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"when they are in great trouble."
Difficulties are spoken of as if they were a flood of water. Alternate translation: "Then when difficulties come like a flood of water, those people will be safe"
Yahweh is spoken of as if he was a safe place from the attacks of the writer's enemies. Alternate translation: "You are like a place where I can hide myself from my enemies"
This metaphor apparently means that Yahweh's protection of the writer is the cause for songs of victory to be sung. Alternate translation: "Because of you I will sing songs of victory"
The words "instruct" and "teach" mean basically the same thing and emphasize careful instruction. Alternate translation: "I will teach you everything about the way"
Here the "I" is probably Yahweh who talks directly to David.
Living in the correct way is spoken of as if it were a path that the writer should walk. Alternate translation: "how you should live your life"
Here "my eye" refers to Yahweh's attention. Alternate translation: "and direct my attention to you" or "and watch over you"
The writer compares people with no understanding to horses and mules. Possible meanings are 1) the writer is speaking Yahweh's words to his readers, "You all must not be like a horse ... no understanding" or 2) Yahweh is speaking to the writer as though to a group of people.
Two tools that are used by people to guide horses and mules go where the rider wants them to go.
"where anyone wants them to go." The "you" here is singular and refers to no one in particular.
Yahweh being faithful to a person and protecting that person is spoken of as if Yahweh's covenant faithfulness surrounded the person. The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "Because Yahweh is faithful to his covenant, he will protect the one who trusts in him"
Here "in Yahweh" refers to what Yahweh has done for them. "Be glad because of what Yahweh has done"
This refers to people. Alternate translation: "you righteous people"
"shout joyfully" or "shout because of joy"
Here "heart" refers to the person. Alternate translation: "people who are upright"
1 Rejoice in Yahweh, you righteous;
praise is appropriate for the upright.
2 Give thanks to Yahweh with the harp;
sing praises to him with the lute having ten strings.
3 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully and shout for joy.
4 For Yahweh's word is upright,
and all his deeds are done in faithfulness.
5 He loves righteousness and justice.
The earth is full of Yahweh's covenant faithfulness.
6 By the word of Yahweh the heavens were made,
and all the stars were made by the breath of his mouth.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea together like a heap;
he puts the oceans in storehouses.
8 Let the whole earth fear Yahweh;
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
9 For he spoke, and it was done;
he commanded, and it stood in place.
10 Yahweh frustrates the alliances of nations;
he overrules the plans of the peoples.
11 The plans of Yahweh stand forever,
the plans of his heart for all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is Yahweh,
the people whom he has chosen as his own inheritance.
13 Yahweh looks from heaven;
he sees all the people.
14 From the place where he lives,
he looks down on all who live on the earth.
15 He who shapes the hearts of them all
observes all their deeds.
16 No king is saved by a vast army;
a warrior is not saved by his great strength.
17 A horse is a false hope for victory;
in spite of his great strength, he cannot rescue.
18 See, Yahweh's eye is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his covenant faithfulness
19 to deliver their lives from death
and to keep them alive in times of famine.
20 We wait for Yahweh;
he is our help and our shield.
21 Our hearts rejoice in him,
for we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your covenant faithfulness, Yahweh, be with us
as we put our hope in you.
Psalm 33 is a worship song. It tells how great God is.
God is the creator and also the God of his people, Israel. Whatever he plans works out. He alone provides safety in battle.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
Here "in Yahweh" refers to what Yahweh has done for them. "Rejoice because of what Yahweh has done"
"to praise Yahweh is appropriate for upright people"
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Each verse consists of two lines that have very similar meanings.
Here "upright" is used as a metaphor for something that is true. Alternate translation: "Yahweh always does what he says that he will do"
These abstract nouns can be stated as actions. Alternate translation: "He loves doing what is right and just" or "He loves those who do what is right and just"
People everywhere in the world being able to see evidence of Yahweh's covenant faithfulness is spoken of as if his covenant faithfulness filled the earth. The abstract noun "covenant faithfulness" can be translated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "People everywhere on earth can see that Yahweh is faithful to his covenant" or "Throughout the earth, there is evidence that Yahweh is faithful to his covenant"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "By using his word, Yahweh made the heavens"
This refers to Yahweh's word. Alternate translation: "by his word"
Each verse consists of two lines that have very similar meanings.
"like behind a dam." The writer describes the creation of the sea as if God piles up all the waters together.
The writer describes the creation of the oceans as if God put them in a storehouse. Alternate translation: "he puts the oceans in their place, just like a man puts grain in a storehouse"
This refers to the people on the earth. Alternate translation: "Let everyone on earth"
Here "stand in awe" is an idiom that means "be in awe." Alternate translation: "honor him"
Here "stood in place" is an idiom that means "was created." Alternate translation: "started to exist"
Each verse consists of two lines that have very similar meanings.
"Yahweh destroys" or "Yahweh breaks"
Here "nations" refers to the people of these nations. Alternate translation: "the alliances of the people of different nations"
An alliance is an agreement between two or more nations to support each other in a war against a common enemy.
"the intentions of the peoples" Alternate translation: "the evil plans of the peoples"
Here "stand" is an idiom that means "endure."
The missing term "stand" is implied. Alternate translation: "the plans of his heart stand for all generations"
Here "his heart" refers to Yahweh. Alternate translation: "his plans"
"for all future generations." This is an idiom that means "forever."
Here "the nation" refers to the people of the nation. Alternate translation: "Blessed are the people of the nation"
"who worship Yahweh as God"
The people Yahweh has chosen to worship him are described here as if they were an inheritance that he has received.
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The place where Yahweh lives is spoken of as if it is above the earth where people live.
Here "hearts" refers to the thinking of these people. The writer speaks of Yahweh guiding the thinking of the people as if he were a potter who was shaping a bowl. Alternate translation: "guides their thinking as a potter shapes a bowl"
This could be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "A large army is not what saves a king"
Here "a horse" represents the strongest part of the army. Alternate translation: "Having an army with strong horses does not provide security"
This word shows that a new theme begins in this Psalm. Alternate translation: "Look" or "Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
Here "eye" refers to Yahweh's attention. Alternate translation: "Yahweh's attention"
The idiom to "count on" means to "wait for" or to "expect." The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated as an adverb. Alternate translation: "those who expect him to act faithfully because of his covenant" or "those who wait for him to act because he is faithful to his covenant"
Here "their lives" refers to the people. Alternate translation: "to keep them from dying"
Here "wait" is an idiom that refers to trust. Alternate translation: "We trust in Yahweh" or "We hope in Yahweh"
Here Yahweh is spoken of as if he is a shield that protects soldiers in battle. Alternate translation: "he is our helper and protects us like a shield"
Here "hearts" refer to the people. Alternate translation: "We rejoice"
Here "holy name" refers to Yahweh's holy character. Alternate translation: "in his holy character" or "in him because he is holy"
Yahweh acting faithfully towards the people is spoken of as if Yahweh's covenant faithfulness were with them. The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adverb. Alternate translation: "May you always act faithfully towards us because of your covenant, Yahweh"
"as we hope for your help"
1 I will praise Yahweh at all times,
his praise will always be in my mouth.
2 I will praise Yahweh!
May the oppressed hear and rejoice.
3 Praise Yahweh with me,
let us lift up his name together.
4 I sought Yahweh and he answered me,
and he gave me victory over all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces are not ashamed.
6 This oppressed man cried and Yahweh heard him
and saved him from all his troubles.
7 The angel of Yahweh camps around those who fear him
and rescues them.
8 Taste and see that Yahweh is good.
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear Yahweh, you his holy people.
There is no lack for those who fear him.
10 The young lions sometimes lack food and suffer hunger,
but those who seek Yahweh will not lack anything good.
11 Come, sons, listen to me.
I will teach you the fear of Yahweh.
12 What man is there who delights in life
and loves many days,
that he may see good?
13 Then keep your tongue from evil
and keep your lips from speaking lies.
14 Turn away from evil and do good.
Seek peace and go after it.
15 The eyes of Yahweh are on the righteous
and his ears are directed toward their cry.
16 The face of Yahweh is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry out and Yahweh hears
and he rescues them from all their troubles.
18 Yahweh is close to the brokenhearted,
and he saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the troubles of the righteous,
but Yahweh delivers them out of them all.
20 He keeps all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil will kill the wicked.
Those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 Yahweh rescues the lives of his servants.
None of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
Psalm 34 is a teaching psalm and includes thanksgiving. It teaches that living right leads to a good life. (See: life)
The psalm does not relate directly to the superscription given about Abimelech.
Good people can have problems, but God brings them through these. (See: good)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
Possible meanings are 1) David wrote the psalm or 2) the psalm is about David or 3) the psalm is in the style of David's psalms.
"acted like a crazy person"
This refers to a specific historical event that the Hebrews knew well. Alternate translation: "when he was in Abimelek's house" or "when he was Abimelek's prisoner"
Here "in my mouth" refers to David speaking about Yahweh. Alternate translation: "I will always praise him out loud"
This refers to people who are oppressed. Alternate translation: "the oppressed people"
The verb "praise" is a command to a group. Alternate translation: "Everyone should praise Yahweh with me"
Here "lift up" is an idiom that refers to exalting Yahweh. Alternate translation: "tell people how great he is"
Here "his name" refers to Yahweh's character. Alternate translation: "his character"
Here "sought Yahweh" means David was asking Yahweh for help. Alternate translation: "I prayed to Yahweh" or "I asked Yahweh for help"
Here "look to" represents seeking help from him. Alternate translation: "Those who look at him for help" or "those who expect help only from him"
This idiom refers to their appearance as being joyful. Alternate translation: "are joyful"
Here "their faces" refers to the people who look to Yahweh. It can also be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "they are not ashamed" or "they are proud"
David describes himself as an oppressed man. Alternate translation: "I was oppressed and"
Here "heard" means that Yahweh helped him. Alternate translation: "Yahweh heard me" or "Yahweh helped him"
The angel of Yahweh is spoken of as if he were an army that camps around someone in order to protect them. Alternate translation: "guards"
Yahweh's goodness is spoken of as something that can be tasted and seen. Alternate translation: "Try and experience that Yahweh is good"
Yahweh is spoken of as if he were a place where people can hide for protection from their enemies. Alternate translation: "trust him to protect them"
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "Those who fear him will always have what they need"
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "will always have the good things they need"
Here this does not refer to literal sons of the writer, but to the people he is teaching about Yahweh. Alternate translation: "my students"
The implicit answer to this question is "every man." This rhetorical question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "Every man delights in life and desires to live many days and have a good life"
These two phrases refer to the same thing and it is said in different ways to emphasize its importance.
Here "tongue" refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: "Therefore, do not speak evil"
Here "lips" refers to the person speaking. Alternate translation: "do not speak lies"
Here "Turn away" is a metaphor for avoiding evil. Alternate translation: "Refuse to do evil"
Here "seek" means to be concerned about peace. Alternate translation: "Try hard to live in peace with other people"
Here "the eyes of Yahweh" refer to his careful watching. "The righteous" is a reference to righteous people. Alternate translation: "Yahweh carefully watches over the righteous people"
Here Yahweh is represented by his "ears." To be directed toward something means to pay attention to it. Alternate translation: "he pays attention to their cry" or "he answers their cry"
Yahweh will cause people to so completely forget them when they die that it is as if he used a knife to cut off any memory of them. Alternate translation: "so that when they are dead, people will forget them completely"
Here "hears" means that Yahweh desires to respond to them. Alternate translation: "Yahweh pays attention to them"
Here "is close" means "ready to help." Alternate translation: "Yahweh is always ready to help"
This is a nominal adjective that refers to people who are brokenhearted. Deep sadness is spoken of as if the person's heart is broken. Alternate translation: "people who are very sad"
People who are deeply discouraged are spoken of as if their spirits are crushed. Alternate translation: "people who are deeply discouraged"
This refers to people who are righteous. Alternate translation: "the righteous people"
Here "all his bones" is literal, but it also implies that Yahweh takes care of the entire person. Alternate translation: "He provides complete protection for him, he will not be harmed in any way"
Evil is described as if it were a man who can kill people. Alternate translation: "The evil deeds of wicked people will kill them"
This refers to wicked people.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Yahweh will condemn those who hate the righteous"
This refers to righteous people.
This can be stated in active form. It can also be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "Yahweh will forgive everyone who takes refuge in him"
Going to Yahweh for protection is spoken of as taking refuge in him. Alternate translation: "go to him for protection"
1 Yahweh, work against those who work against me;
fight against those who fight against me.
2 Grab your small shield and large shield;
rise up and help me.
3 Use your spear and battle ax
against those who chase me;
say to my soul,
"I am your salvation."
4 May those who seek my life
be shamed and dishonored.
May those who plan to harm me
be turned back and ashamed.
5 May they be as chaff before the wind,
as the angel of Yahweh drives them away.
6 May their way be dark and slippery,
as the angel of Yahweh chases them.
7 Without cause they set their net for me;
without cause they dug a pit for my life.
8 Let destruction overtake them by surprise.
Let the net that they have set catch them.
Let them fall into it, to their destruction.
9 But I will be joyful in Yahweh
and rejoice in his salvation.
10 All my bones will say,
"Yahweh, who is like you,
who rescues the oppressed from those who are too strong for them
and the poor and needy from those who try to rob them?"
11 Unrighteous witnesses rise up;
they accuse me falsely.
12 They repay me evil for good.
I am sorrowful.
13 As for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth;
I fasted for them,
and my prayer returned to my bosom.
14 I went about in grief as for my brother;
I bent down in mourning as for my mother.
15 But when I stumbled, they rejoiced and gathered together;
they gathered together against me, and I was surprised by them.
They tore at me without stopping.
16 With no respect at all they mocked me;
they grind their teeth at me in rage.
17 Lord, how long will you look on?
Rescue my soul from their destructive attacks,
my only life from the lions.
18 Then I will thank you in the great assembly;
I will praise you among many people.
19 Do not let my deceitful enemies rejoice over me;
do not let them carry out their wicked schemes.
20 For they do not speak peace,
but they devise deceitful words
against those in our land who live in peace.
21 They open their mouths wide against me;
they said, "Aha, Aha, our eyes have seen it."
22 You have seen it, Yahweh, do not be silent;
Lord, do not be far from me.
23 Arouse yourself and awake to my defense;
My God and my Lord, defend my cause.
24 Defend me, Yahweh my God, because of your righteousness;
do not let them rejoice over me.
25 Do not let them say in their heart, "Aha, we have what we wanted."
Do not let them say, "We have devoured him."
26 May they be put to shame and may they be humiliated who rejoice at my distress.
May those who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and dishonor.
27 Let those who desire my vindication
shout for joy and be glad;
may they say continually, "Yahweh be praised,
he who delights in the welfare of his servant."
28 Then I will tell of your justice
and praise you all day long.
Psalm 35 is a prayer for deliverance. His enemies are coming against him. (See: deliverer)
When his enemies were sick, he tried to comfort them, but when he was in trouble his enemies use this as a time to attack him.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
The writer describes God as a warrior who is preparing himself for battle.
these are defensive weapons
The writer describes God as a warrior who is preparing himself for battle.
these are offensive weapons
Possible meanings are 1) these enemies are literally chasing the writer or 2) this is a metaphor for people who are enemies of the writer.
This refers to the writer. Alternate translation: "say to me"
This can be stated without the abstract noun. Alternate translation: "I am your savior" or "I will save you"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "May Yahweh shame and dishonor those who seek my life"
"I desire that"
Here "seek my life" means they desire to kill the writer. The writer is represented by his "life." Alternate translation: "who are trying to kill me"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "May Yahweh turn back and confound those who plan to harm me"
"be turned back" here is a metaphor for being unable to accomplish their goal. Alternate translation: "be unsuccessful"
The writer's enemies are spoken of as if they are chaff that is easily blown away. Alternate translation: "blown away by the wind like chaff"
Here "their way" refers to their lives. Alternate translation: "their lives"
This refers to a way that is hidden and dangerous. Alternate translation: "hidden and full of dangers"
This refers to the angel of Yahweh being opposed to the writer's enemies. Alternate translation: "works against them" or "opposes them"
The schemes of the wicked are spoken of as if they were a net that they set to catch the writer. Alternate translation: "they want to catch me in a net like a small animal"
The schemes of the wicked are spoken of as if they were a pit that they dug to catch the writer. Alternate translation: "they wanted to capture me in a pit like a big animal"
This refers to the writer. Alternate translation: "me"
Destruction is spoken of as if it was a dangerous animal that would suddenly attack them. Alternate translation: "Let them be destroyed suddenly" or "Let them be surprised because you destroy them suddenly"
The schemes of the wicked are spoken of as if they were a net that they place to catch the writer. Alternate translation: "the net that they placed in order to capture me like an animal and harm me"
This is the same metaphor as in verse 7. The net is intended to catch the writer. Alternate translation: "Let them fall into the pit that they dug for me"
Possible meanings are 1) fall into the pit of verse 7 or 2) fall into destruction.
The abstract noun "destruction" can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: "so that they will be destroyed" or "that is how you should destroy them"
The abstract noun "salvation" can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: "because you save me"
Here "bones" refers to the deepest inner being of a person. Alternate translation: "My whole inner being"
The implicit answer to this question is that no one is like Yahweh. Alternate translation: "Yahweh, there is no one like you ... those who try to rob them."
The words "poor" and "needy" mean basically the same thing and emphasize that Yahweh saves many who need his help.
This means they testify in a trial. Alternate translation: "volunteer to give a testimony"
This is a metaphor which means they give back evil in exchange for the good they have received. Alternate translation: "In return for my doing good things for them, they do evil things to me"
These abstract nouns can be stated in other forms. Alternate translation: "evil things ... good things"
"I am extremely sad"
The word "they" refers to the "unrighteous witnesses" (Psalms 35:11).
"I wore sackcloth" or "I showed that I was sad"
This was a symbol of prayer. Alternate translation: "them with my head bent down in prayer"
The writer was as sad as if his own brother had died. Alternate translation: "grieving as if my own brother was ill"
The writer mourned as if his own mother had died. Alternate translation: "I mourned as if my own mother had died"
This was a symbol of pain and suffering.
"assembled together" or "came together"
This means they came together for the purpose of attacking the writer. Alternate translation: "to make plans against me" or "to plan my destruction"
Here the treated the writer as if he were a piece of cloth that they could tear to pieces. Alternate translation: "They attacked me"
"With the worthless people they ridiculed me" or "Without respect they made fun of me"
This is a sign of anger and hate. "they made grinding noises with their teeth at me"
This rhetorical question indicates that the writer wants God to stop simply looking on and to start to help him. Alternate translation: "how long will you only watch them doing this?" or "when will you help me?"
Here "soul" refers to the writer. Alternate translation: "Rescue me"
The word "save" is implied. Alternate translation: "save my only life from the lions"
This refers to the writer. Alternate translation: "me—and I only have one life—from"
Here the writer speaks of his enemies as if they were vicious lions. Alternate translation: "from my enemies who attack me like wild animals"
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"Do not let my enemies, who tell lies about me,"
"their evil plans"
The abstract noun "peace" can be stated as "peacefully." Alternate translation: "they do not speak peacefully to people"
"look for ways to tell lies"
"those who live peacefully in our land"
The abstract noun "peace" can be stated in other forms. Alternate translation: "live peacefully with others" or "do no harm to anyone"
The reason they open their mouths is to accuse the writer. Alternate translation: "They shout at me in order to accuse me"
This is something an excited person says when he has suddenly seen or understood something, especially something other people did not expect him to see. It emphasizes the statement that follows.
Here "our eyes" refers to the enemies' eyes. It is implied that they are saying they saw the writer do something wrong. Alternate translation: "we have seen it" or "we saw the wrong things that you did"
Here "it" refers to the false accusations of the writer's enemies. Alternate translation: "You have seen how they falsely accused me"
"do not ignore what they did" This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "judge them because of what they did"
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "be very close to me"
This does not mean that God is actually asleep. The writer wants God to intervene. Both words mean basically the same thing and emphasize the urgency of this request. Alternate translation: "I feel like you are sleeping! Wake up"
This abstract noun "defense" can be stated as "defend." Alternate translation: "to defend me"
This refers to the writer. Alternate translation: "me"
"do not let them be glad because I am suffering"
This is an idiom that means to say to oneself. Alternate translation: "say to themselves"
This is an exclamation that is used when something is suddenly seen or understood. It emphasizes what follows. Alternate translation: "Yes"
It is implied that the writer's enemies wanted him to be declared guilty. Alternate translation: "he has been declared guilty just as we desired"
The writer's enemies speak of his destruction as if they were wild animals who had eaten him. Alternate translation: "We have swallowed him up" or "We have destroyed him"
"May those who rejoice at my distress be put to shame and humiliated"
"May they feel shame"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "May you clothe with shame and dishonor those who exalt themselves over me"
"consider themselves better than I am" or "think they have the right to treat me badly"
Here shame and dishonor are spoken of as if they were shameful clothes that the writer could wear. These abstract nouns can be stated as verbs. Alternate translation: "shamed and dishonored"
These terms mean about the same thing and are used to emphasize how degraded they will be.
Here "vindication" refers to Yahweh proclaiming or judging the psalmist innocent.
"may they always say"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Let us praise Yahweh"
"who is happy with" or "who is glad for"
well-being, happiness
The abstract noun "justice" can be stated as "right." Alternate translation: "proclaim that you act in the right way"
1 An evil man speaks of his transgression from deep in his heart,
there is no fear of God in his eyes.
2 For he comforts himself,
thinking that his iniquity will not be discovered and be hated.
3 The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit;
he does not want to be wise and do good.
4 While he lies in bed, he plans ways to sin;
he sets out on an evil way;
he does not reject evil.
5 Your covenant faithfulness, Yahweh, reaches to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
your judgments are like the great deep.
Yahweh, you preserve both mankind and the animals.
7 How precious is your covenant faithfulness, God!
Humanity takes refuge under the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast upon the abundance of your house;
you let them drink from the river of your delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we will see light.
10 Extend your covenant faithfulness fully to those who know you,
your defense to the upright of heart.
11 Do not let the foot of the arrogant man come near to me.
Do not let the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 Over there those who behave wickedly have fallen;
they have been pushed down and are not able to get up.
Psalm 36 is a psalm of praise. It speaks of how good God is to those who love him. (See: good and love)
Evil people do not think about God; but he is such a pleasure to all who honor him. (See: evil)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
This does not refer to a specific man, but to evil people in general. Alternate translation: "Evil people"
Here "heart" refers to the inner being of a person. Alternate translation: "from his inner being"
Here "eyes" refers to the wicked person. Alternate translation: "in him"
"he prefers to believe" or "he wants to think"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God will not discover and hate his sin"
Here the word "mouth" is a metonym for the writer. The abstract noun "wickedness" can be translated by an adjective. The abstract noun "deceit" can be translated by a verb. Alternate translation: "Everything he says is wicked, and he wants to deceive others"
"do things that are good"
The sinful actions of the man are spoken of as if he was walking along a path that was evil. Alternate translation: "he begins to do evil things"
Here "evil" can be stated in another form. Alternate translation: "he does not reject evil behavior"
The greatness of God's covenant faithfulness is spoken of as if it were an object that reached as high as the heavens. The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "Your covenant faithfulness ... is very great" or "You ... are as faithful to your covenant as the heavens are high above the earth"
The greatness of God's loyalty is spoken of as if it was very high. Alternate translation: "is as high as the clouds" or "is enormously great"
These phrases describe the greatness of God's righteousness and judgments as if they were very high and deep. Alternate translation: "as high as the highest mountains ... as deep as the deepest sea"
"you help" or "you save"
The word "precious" refers to how greatly the writer values Yahweh's covenant faithfulness. The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "I greatly value how you are faithful to your covenant"
Eating much food as guests in a house is a metaphor for God providing all his people need. Alternate translation: "They will have all they need because you will provide it to them" or "You have plenty to give, and you will provide them with all they need"
There are two metaphors here. God's abundant blessings are spoken of as if they are the water in a flowing river. Also, those who receive those blessings are spoken of as if they are drinking them like water. Alternate translation: "your precious blessings are like a river from which you will let them drink"
"source of life"
Here "light" is a metaphor for true knowledge. Alternate translation: "when you enlighten us, we will know the truth" or "your light is what enables us to know the truth about you"
The writer speaks of Yahweh continuing to act faithfully towards the people as if Yahweh were to extend his covenant faithfulness or make it longer. The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adverb. Alternate translation: "Continue to act faithfully to those who know you"
The abstract noun "defense" can be stated as a verb. "Continue" is implied from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: "Continue to protect the upright of heart"
Here "heart" refers to the people. Alternate translation: "the upright" or "people who act righteously"
Here "foot" and "hand" refer to the evil people. These are not specific men. This refers to evil people in general. Alternate translation: "arrogant people ... wicked people"
"send me away" or "make me leave my place"
All three phrases describe the evildoers as defeated.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "you have pushed them down" or "you have destroyed them" or "you have defeated them"
"cannot get up" or "will never again harm anyone"
1 Do not be irritated because of evildoers;
do not be envious of those who act unrighteously.
2 For they will soon dry up as the grass
and wither as the green plants.
3 Trust in Yahweh and do what is good;
settle in the land and graze in faithfulness.
4 Then delight yourself in Yahweh,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Give your ways to Yahweh;
trust in him, and he will act on your behalf.
6 He will display your justice like the daylight
and your innocence like the day at noon.
7 Be still before Yahweh
and wait patiently for him.
Do not be angry if someone succeeds in what he does,
or when he makes evil plots.
8 Do not be angry and frustrated.
Do not worry. This only makes trouble.
9 Evildoers will be cut off,
but those who wait for Yahweh will inherit the land.
10 In a little while the evil man will disappear;
you will look at his place, but he will be gone.
11 But the meek will inherit the land
and will delight in great prosperity.
12 The wicked man plots against the righteous
and he grinds his teeth in rage against him.
13 The Lord laughs at him,
for he sees that his day is coming.
14 The wicked have drawn out their swords
and have bent their bows
to cast down the oppressed and needy,
to kill those who are upright.
15 Their swords will pierce their own hearts,
and their bows will be broken.
16 Better is the little that the righteous has
than the abundance of many wicked people.
17 For the arms of the wicked people will be broken,
but Yahweh supports the righteous people.
18 Yahweh watches over the blameless day by day,
and their heritage will be forever.
19 They will not be ashamed when times are bad.
When famine comes, they will have enough to eat.
20 But evil men will perish.
Yahweh's enemies will be like the splendor of the pastures;
they will be consumed and disappear in the smoke.
21 The wicked person borrows but does not repay,
but the righteous person is generous and gives.
22 Those who are blessed by God will inherit the land;
those who are cursed by him will be cut off.
23 It is by Yahweh that a man's steps are established,
the man whose way is commendable in God's sight.
24 Though he stumbles, he will not fall down,
for Yahweh is holding him with his hand.
25 I was young and now am old;
I have never seen the righteous person abandoned
or his children begging for bread.
26 All the day long he is gracious and lends,
and his children become a blessing.
27 Turn away from evil and do what is right;
then you will be safe forever.
28 For Yahweh loves justice
and does not abandon his faithful ones.
They are preserved forever,
but the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.
29 The righteous will inherit the land
and live there forever.
30 The mouth of the righteous person speaks wisdom
and increases justice.
31 The law of his God is in his heart;
his feet will not slip.
32 The wicked person spies on the righteous person
and seeks to kill him.
33 Yahweh will not abandon him into the evil person's hand
or condemn him when he is judged.
34 Wait for Yahweh and keep his way,
and he will raise you up to possess the land.
You will see when the wicked are cut off.
35 I have seen the wicked and terrifying person
spread out like a green tree in its native soil.
36 But when I passed by again, he was not there.
I looked for him, but he could not be found.
37 Observe the man of integrity, and mark the upright;
there is a good future for a man of peace.
38 Rebels will be totally destroyed;
the future for the wicked man is cut off.
39 Salvation of the righteous comes from Yahweh;
he is their place of safety in the times of trouble.
40 Yahweh helps them and rescues them.
He rescues them from evil men and saves them
because they have taken refuge in him.
Psalm 37 is a teaching psalm. It provides guidance about how to live a moral and God-fearing life. It teaches that evil people do not prosper in the future. (See: evil)
Do not envy evil people. Although it appears as though they prosper, soon they will be destroyed and the good people will continue on living. (See: good and life)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"Do not let wicked people upset you" or "Do not be bothered by what wicked people do"
Evildoers are spoken of as if they are grass and plants that dry up and die in the hot weather. These two similes both mean they will die. Alternate translation: "die" or "come to an end"
Faithfulness is spoken of as if it was an animal that would be strengthened by feeding in good pasture. Alternate translation: "nourish faithfulness" or "increase your faithfulness"
Here "heart" represents the person's inner being and thoughts. Alternate translation: "your deepest, inner desires" or "the things that you desire the most"
Here "give your ways" is an idiom that means to ask Yahweh to control your life. Alternate translation: "Ask Yahweh to guide your actions in life"
This is to represent another in legal issues. Here, when one trusts in Yahweh, he will defend that person and grant justice to that person.
Both of these phrases mean about the same thing.
This means "in full view of everyone." Alternate translation: "as clear to see as the light of day"
This means "as visible as the noon sun." Alternate translation: "as visible as the light at the brightest time of day"
"Be quiet"
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The destruction of the wicked is spoken of as if they were a branch of a plant that was cut off and thrown away.
"but those who trust in Yahweh"
The possession of the land is spoken of as if it will be received as an inheritance. Alternate translation: "will receive the land as their own possession" or "will live safely in the land"
This idiom refers to the death of the evil man. Alternate translation: "will die and you will no longer see him"
This refers to the people who are meek. Alternate translation: "the meek people"
The possession of the land is spoken of as if it will be received as an inheritance. See how you translated this in [Psalms 37:9]
This does not refer to a specific man. It refers to wicked people in general. Alternate translation: "The wicked person"
This does not refer to specific people. This refers to people who are righteous. Alternate translation: "the righteous person"
The wicked man hates the righteous person so much that he grinds his teeth together to show his anger.
It is implied that "his day" will be a day of judgment. Alternate translation: "the day is coming when Yahweh will judge and punish him" or "the day is coming when Yahweh will judge and punish the wicked person"
This refers to the wicked people. Alternate translation: "The wicked people"
Both "swords" and "bows" are weapons used to attack people. The fact that they are "drawn" and "bent" means they are ready to start attacking. Alternate translation: "have prepared their weapons in order to attack"
This destruction of the needy people is spoken of as if they were clay pots that would break into pieces when thrown down on the ground. Alternate translation: "to destroy"
These terms both refer to people who are powerless to defend themselves. Alternate translation: "people who are not able to resist them"
Swords are examples of weapons and "hearts" represent the people. To "pierce the heart" is an idiom that means "to kill." Alternate translation: "Their weapons will be turned against them and they will kill themselves"
"It is better to be poor and righteous than to be wicked with great wealth"
The nominal adjective "the little" refers to few possessions. The nominal adjective "the righteous" refers to a righteous person. Alternate translation: "Better are the few possessions that a righteous person has"
This refers to the wealth of the wicked people.
Here "arms" represent the strength of the wicked people. Breaking their arms represents taking away their power. This could be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "For Yahweh will remove the strength of the wicked people"
To "watch over" means to protect someone. Here "the blameless" refers to the blameless people. Alternate translation: "protects the blameless people"
This is an idiom that means "continually." Alternate translation: "every day"
This phrase refers to disasters, such as famine. Alternate translation: "when calamities occur"
The writer compares Yahweh's enemies to the flowers blooming in the fields.
The writer speaks of the destruction of the wicked as if they were weeds or wilted flowers in the field that are burned off after the harvest. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Yahweh will destroy them as fire turns the weeds of the field into smoke"
These mean the same thing and emphasize the generosity of the righteous.
This is a contrastive form of Parallelism. Those who are blessed by God in contrast to those who are cursed by God.
This can be stated as active. Alternate translation: "Those whom God blesses"
The possession of the land is spoken of as if it had been received as an inheritance. See how you translated this in [Psalms 37:9]
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "those whom Yahweh curses"
The destruction of the wicked is spoken of as if they were a branch of plant that was cut off and thrown away. See how you translated this in [Psalms 37:9]
These can be stated to show the logical connection and clarify the passive clause. Alternate translation: "If a man lives in a commendable way in Yahweh's sight, Yahweh will establish his steps"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Yahweh is the one who enables a man to be successful"
This does not refer to a specific man, but to people in general.
Steps represent the way a person lives. Alternate translation: "the way a man lives"
Here "stumble" and "fall" refer to the man's reaction to difficult times. Alternate translation: "Though he has difficult times, he will not utterly fail"
Here "his hand" refers to Yahweh's power, and "holding him" refers to protecting him. Alternate translation: "protecting him with his power"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Yahweh forsake the righteous person"
This does not refer to a specific person. It is a general statement.
Here "bread" represents food in general. Alternate translation: begging for food"
This idiom means this action is a habit of his life. Alternate translation: "He is always
"his children grow up to bless others"
To stop doing something is spoken of as if the person turned away from it. Alternate translation: "Stop doing"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Yahweh will protect them forever"
The destruction of the wicked is spoken of as if they were a branch of plant that was cut off and thrown away. See how you translated this in [Psalms 37:9]
The possession of the land is spoken of as if it had been received as an inheritance. See how you translated this in [Psalms 37:9]
This refers to the people who are righteous. Alternate translation: "the righteous people"
Here "mouth" represents the whole person who speaks. Alternate translation: "The righteous person"
The abstract noun "wisdom" can be stated as "wise." Alternate translation: "gives wise advice to others"
The abstract noun "justice" can be stated as an action. Alternate translation: "encourages other people to live rightly"
Here "in his heart" refers to his deepest inner being. Alternate translation: "He treasures the commands of his God in his inner being"
Here failure to obey Yahweh is spoken of as slipping off a safe path and falling. Alternate translation: "he will walk safely in the way God wants him to walk" or "he will safely do the things God wants him to do"
These words refer to any wicked or righteous person or to wicked and righteous people in general, not to specific people. Alternate translation: "Wicked people ... righteous people" or "Any wicked person" or "any righteous person"
The wicked person observes the righteous person in order to do him harm. Alternate translation: "waits in ambush for the righteous person"
These words refer to the hand of any evil person, not of any specific person. Here "hand" represents power or control. Alternate translation: "evil people's hands" or "the power of the evil person"
This refers to Yahweh judging the righteous man. Alternate translation: "When Yahweh judges him"
Here "raise you up" refers to God giving honor to those who wait for him. Alternate translation: "he will honor you by giving you the land"
This refers to wicked people. Alternate translation: "the wicked people"
The destruction of the wicked is spoken of as if they were a branch of a plant that was cut off and thrown away. See how you translated a similar phrase in Psalms 37:9.
This does not refer to a specific person. It is a general statement.
Here the prosperity of the wicked man is spoken of as if he were a healthy tree growing in good soil.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I could not find him" or "Yahweh had taken him away"
This does not refer to a specific person. It is a general statement.
"note carefully the good people" or "notice the good people"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God will end his family line" or "he will not have any descendants"
This refers to his descendants. Alternate translation: "his descendants"
This does not refer to a specific person. It is a general statement.
The destruction of the wicked is spoken of as if they were a branch of a plant that was cut off and thrown away. See how you translated a similar phrase in [Psalms 37:9]
The abstract noun "Salvation" can be expressed as an action. Alternate translation: "Yahweh rescues the righteous people"
This refers to the righteous people. Alternate translation: "the righteous people"
This same idea is repeated in several different ways to emphasize that Yahweh is dependable and able to give aid.
Going to Yahweh for protection is spoken of as taking refuge in him. Alternate translation: "they have gone to him for protection"
1 Yahweh, do not rebuke me in your anger;
do not punish me in your wrath.
2 For your arrows pierce me,
and your hand presses me down.
3 There is no soundness in my body because of your anger;
there is no health in my bones because of my sin.
4 For my iniquities overwhelm me;
they are a burden too heavy for me.
5 My wounds are infected and smell
because of my foolish sins.
6 I am stooped over and humiliated every day;
I go about mourning all day long.
7 For within me, I am filled with burning;
there is no health in my flesh.
8 I am numb and utterly crushed;
I groan because of the anguish of my heart.
9 Lord, you understand my heart's deepest yearnings,
and my groanings are not hidden from you.
10 My heart pounds, my strength fades,
and the light of my eyes, even that is not with me.
11 My friends and companions shun me because of my condition;
my neighbors stand far off.
12 Those who seek my life lay snares for me.
They who seek my harm speak destructive words
and say deceitful words all day long.
13 But I, I am like a deaf man and hear nothing;
I am like a mute man who says nothing.
14 I am like a man who does not hear
and who has no reply.
15 Surely I wait for you, Yahweh;
you will answer, Lord my God.
16 I say this so that my enemies will not rejoice over me.
If my foot slips, they will do terrible things to me.
17 For I am about to stumble,
and I am in constant pain.
18 I confess my guilt;
I am anxious about my sin.
19 But my enemies are numerous;
those who hate me wrongfully are many.
20 They repay me evil for good;
they hurl accusations at me
although I have pursued what is good.
21 Do not abandon me, Yahweh;
my God, do not stay far away from me.
22 Come quickly to help me,
Lord, my salvation.
Psalm 38 is a confession of sin and a prayer for deliverance. (See: confess and sin and deliverer)
The author was very sick and his enemies were seeking ways to destroy him.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
Possible meanings are 1) David wrote the psalm or 2) the psalm is about David or 3) the psalm is in the style of David's psalms.
These phrases mean basically the same thing and the idea is repeated for emphasis.
The severity of Yahweh's punishment of the writer is spoken of as if Yahweh had shot arrows into the writer. Alternate translation: "Your punishment is as painful as if you had shot arrows into me"
Yahweh's punishment of the writer is spoken of as if Yahweh was smashing the writer with his hand. Here, "hand" refers to Yahweh's power. Alternate translation: "your power knocks me down"
David continues describing what his guilt and shame does to his body. He uses hyperbole to emphasize the effects of this lesson.
Here "my bones" represents the body of the writer. Alternate translation: "my whole body is diseased because of my sin"
The writer's iniquities are spoken of as if they are a flood of water that covers him. Alternate translation: "my iniquities cover me like a flood"
The writer's iniquities are spoken of as if they are a heavy load that he cannot lift. Alternate translation: "they are like a load that is too heavy for me to lift"
David continues describing what his guilt and shame does to his body. He uses hyperbole to emphasize the effects of this lesson.
Here "smell" refer to his sores having a bad smell that is associated with rotting flesh. Alternate translation: "My wounds are infected and stink as they rot"
The pain of the writer's wounds have caused him to be bent over as if he were an old, feeble man. Alternate translation: "I am bent over in pain"
The writer's is so sick with fever that it is as if he is burning inside. Alternate translation: "My body is burning with fever"
Here "my flesh" refers to the writer. Alternate translation: "I am completely sick"
The writer's illness is so severe that it is as if a huge weight is pressing down on him.
Here "my heart" refers to the writer. Alternate translation: "my anguish"
Here "my heart" refers to the writer. It may be helpful to state that the writer desires good health. Alternate translation: "My strongest desires" or "that I desire you to heal me"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "you are able to see all my moans of sorrow"
This idiom means his heart beats intensely. Alternate translation: "My heart beats loudly"
"I become very weak"
"I can no longer see well"
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The plots of the writer's enemies are spoken of as if they were traps that they had set to catch him like an animal. Alternate translation: "set traps to catch me"
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize the hurtful nature of what these people say.
The writer does not listen to what his enemies are saying.
The writer does not speak evil words to or about his enemies.
a person who cannot speak
The writer does not listen to what his enemies are saying.
The writer does not speak evil words to or about his enemies.
Possible meanings are 1) "you will answer me" or 2) "you will answer my enemies."
"will not be glad because I am having trouble"
Here "my foot" represents the writer. The slipping of his foot is a metaphor that refers to the writer's troubles and misfortunes. Alternate translation: "If I make mistakes that cause me trouble"
Possible meanings for this metaphor are 1) "I am so sick that I am about to die" or 2) "I will soon be ruined." It may be best not to interpret the metaphor in the text.
"I am always in pain"
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These two phrases mean basically the same thing.
The actions of the writer's enemies are spoken of as a financial transaction where they gave him evil things in exchange for good things. The abstract nouns "evil" and "good" can be stated as adjectives. Alternate translation: "They do evil thing to me after I was good to them"
The way the writer's enemies accuse him is spoken of as if they were throwing accusations at him like rocks.
The writers desire for what is good is spoken of as if he were running after good things.
These two phrases have very similar meanings.
Because Yahweh has not yet answered the writer's request, he speaks of Yahweh as if Yahweh were standing far away from the writer.
God is spoken of as if he is running to the writer to help him.
The abstract noun "salvation" can be stated as an action. Alternate translation: "you are the one who saves me"
1 I decided, "I will watch what I say
so that I do not sin with my tongue.
I will muzzle my mouth
while in the presence of an evil man."
2 I kept silent;
I kept back my words even from saying anything good,
and my pain grew worse.
3 My heart became hot;
when I thought about these things,
it burned like a fire.
Then finally I spoke.
4 "Yahweh, make me know when will be the end of my life
and the extent of my days.
Show me how transient I am.
5 See, you have made my days only the width of my hand,
and my lifetime is like nothing before you.
Surely every man is a single breath. Selah
6 Surely every man walks about like a shadow.
Surely everyone hurries about
to accumulate riches although they do not know who will receive them.
7 Now, Lord, for what am I waiting?
You are my only hope.
8 Rescue me from my sins;
do not make me the scorn of fools.
9 I am silent and cannot open my mouth,
because it is you who has done it.
10 Stop wounding me;
I am overwhelmed by the blow of your hand.
11 When you discipline people for iniquity,
you consume the things they desire like a moth;
surely all people are nothing but vapor. Selah
12 Hear my prayer, Yahweh,
and give ear to my cry for help;
do not be deaf to my tears!
for I am like a foreigner with you,
a sojourner like all my ancestors were.
13 Turn your gaze from me so that I may smile again
before I die."
Psalm 39 is a psalm of deliverance from sickness. (See: deliverer)
Life on earth is short. The psalmist wanted God's healing so he can enjoy the rest of his life. (See: life)
This psalm shares some characteristics of another wisdom book called Ecclesiastes or Koheleth but is more positive.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship,"
One of David's chief musicians had this same name. This may refer to him.
Here "watch" is an idiom that mean "pay attention to." Alternate translation: "I will pay attention to the things that I say"
Here "tongue" refers to the writer's speech. Alternate translation: "so that I do not speak an offense against Yahweh"
To "muzzle" means to keep a mouth shut. Here David means that he will not speak while he is with an evil person.
These two phrases mean the same thing and emphasize that the writer did not speak at all. Alternate translation: "I was completely silent"
"I did not speak"
Here "heart" represents the whole person. The anxious thoughts of the writer are spoken of as if they were a fire burning inside him. Alternate translation: "I became very anxious when I thought about these things"
These phrases mean basically the same thing.
"Show me how brief my life is" or "Show me how soon I will die"
The writer speaks of his lifespan is if it could be measured by the width of his hand. Alternate translation: "only a very short time"
This simile states that the length of the writer's life is so short that it does not exist. This is an exaggeration to stress how short it is. Alternate translation: "the length of my life is barely any time at all"
Life is short, and the psalmist speaks of it here as if it were only as long as the time it takes for a person to breathe one breath. Alternate translation: "The time that humans live is as short as a single breath of a person"
The lives of people are spoken of as if they are as insignificant as shadows. Alternate translation: "Everyone disappears like shadows do"
Here it is implied that they do not know what will happen to their wealth after they die. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit.
The writer asks this question to emphasize that people cannot help him. This rhetorical question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "So now, Yahweh, I can expect to receive nothing from anyone else."
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These phrases mean basically the same thing.
"because my punishment comes from you"
God's punishment of the writer is spoken of as if God was wounding him with a weapon. Alternate translation: "Please stop punishing me"
"I am defeated completely"
God's punishment of the writer is spoken of as if God was striking him with his fist. Here "hand" represents God's judgment. Alternate translation: "your judgment on me"
God will take away the things they value in the same way as a moth eats a piece of cloth. Alternate translation: "consume the things they desire like a moth eats away at clothing"
The writer speaks of the frailty of people as if they were mist that disappears quickly. Alternate translation: "everyone is completely fragile"
The phrase "deaf to" is a metaphor for "ignore." Possible meanings of the phrase "deaf to my tears" are 1) the word "tears" is a metonym for the writer's cries. Alternate translation: "do not ignore my cries" or "pay attention to my cries" Or 2) the word "tears" is a metonym for the writer himself. Alternate translation: "do not ignore me" or "pay attention to me"
The reader should understand that the writer is extremely sad.
The writer speaks of Yahweh's lack of response as if Yahweh considered him to be a total stranger to him. Alternate translation: "I am like a complete stranger to you"
Here "your gaze" represents Yahweh's punishment. Alternate translation: "Please stop punishing me"
Here "smile" is associated with being happy. Alternate translation: "so that I can be happy again"
1 I waited patiently for Yahweh;
he listened to me and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up out of a horrible pit,
out of the miry clay,
and he set my feet on a rock
and made my steps secure.
3 He has put a new song in my mouth,
praise to our God.
Many will see it and honor him
and will trust in Yahweh.
4 Blessed is the man
who makes Yahweh his trust
and does not honor the proud
or those who turn away from him to lies.
5 Many, Yahweh my God,
are the wonderful deeds that you have done,
and your thoughts which are about us cannot be numbered;
if I declared and spoke of them,
they would be more than could be counted.
6 You have no delight in sacrifice or offering,
but you have opened my ears;
you have not required burnt offerings or sin offerings.
7 Then said I, "See, I have come;
it is written about me in the scroll of the document.
8 I delight to do your will, my God;
your laws are in my heart."
9 I have proclaimed good news of your righteousness in the great assembly;
Yahweh, you know that my lips have not kept back from doing this.
10 I have not concealed your righteousness in my heart;
I have declared your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your covenant faithfulness
or your trustworthiness from the great assembly.
11 Do not keep back your acts of mercy from me, Yahweh;
let your covenant faithfulness and your trustworthiness always preserve me.
12 Troubles that cannot be numbered surround me;
my iniquities have caught up with me so that I am no longer able to see anything;
they are more than the hairs on my head,
and my heart has failed me.
13 Be pleased, Yahweh, to rescue me;
hurry to help me, Yahweh.
14 Let them be ashamed and completely disappointed
who pursue my life to sweep it away.
Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor,
those who delight in hurting me.
15 Let them be appalled because of their shame,
those who say to me, "Aha, aha!"
16 But may all those who seek you rejoice
and be glad in you;
let everyone who loves your salvation say continually,
"May Yahweh be praised."
17 I am poor and needy;
yet the Lord thinks about me.
You are my help and you come to my rescue;
do not delay, my God.
Psalm 40 is a psalm of praise. Many also see it as a messianic psalm, a psalm about Christ. (See: christ)
God is not interested in sacrifices but wants people to obey him and fulfill his plans for them.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
This means the writer was waiting for Yahweh to help him.
These mean the same thing, and can be combined into one statement. Alternate translation: "he listened to me when I called out to him"
These two metaphors mean the same thing. The writer's danger is spoken of as if it was a deadly pit full of mud. This emphasizes the danger. Alternate translation: "from being trapped in a horrible pit full of sticky mud"
Here "my feet" refers to the writer, and "a rock" refers a place of safety. Alternate translation: "he provided safety for me"
Possible meanings are 1) "He has taught me the words to a new song" or 2) "He has given me a new reason to sing."
Here "my mouth" refers to the writer. Alternate translation: "in me"
The noun "praise" can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: "a song to praise our God"
Here "see it" refers to hearing the writer sing his song about what God has done for him. Alternate translation: "Many people will hear me tell what Yahweh has done"
"Blessed is the man who trusts in Yahweh" or "Those who trust in Yahweh are blessed"
This refers to the people who are proud. Alternate translation: "proud people"
The Hebrew word is unclear. Possible meanings are 1) "lies" or 2) "false gods."
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "no one can count all the things you think about us"
These phrases mean essentially the same thing. The first is stated in negative form, and the second is stated in positive form.
This is an exaggeration to express that other things are much more important to God. Alternate translation: "Sacrifices and other offerings are not the things that delight you most"
Here "ears" refers to the ability to hear. Alternate translation: "you have enabled me to hear your commands"
This is an exaggeration to show that these things were not the most important to God. Alternate translation: "animals burned on the altar and other offerings for our sins are not what you require most"
This refers to a scroll on which was written the word of Yahweh. Alternate translation: "the written scroll"
Here "my heart" refers to the inner being of the writer. Alternate translation: "I am always thinking about your laws within my inner being"
"I have told a large assembly of people the good news of your righteousness."
This refers to the good news that God rescues his people. Alternate translation: "good news that because you are righteous, you rescue your people"
Here "my lips" represents the writer, emphasizing his speech. Alternate translation: "I have not stopped myself from proclaiming these things"
"I have not kept your righteousness a secret." This can also be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "I have openly told every one about your righteousness"
Here this refers to the writer's inner being.
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "I have told everyone in the great assembly about your covenant faithfulness or your trustworthiness"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be stated as "faithful." Alternate translation: "how faithful you are to your covenant"
This abstract noun "trustworthiness" can be stated as "trustworthy." Alternate translation: "how trustworthy you are"
Here "covenant faithfulness" and "trustworthiness" are spoken of as if they were living people who could protect the writer. Alternate translation: "I want your covenant faithfulness and your trustworthiness to always preserve"
Here troubles are spoken of as if they were objects that surround and trap the speaker. Alternate translation: "there are more troubles around me than I can count" or "more troubles come to me than I can count"
This is stated in negative form to intensify the number.See how you translated this in [Psalms 40:5]
This refers to the consequences of his sin. Alternate translation: "the consequences of my iniquities"
The writer's iniquities are spoken of as if they were his enemies who were harming him.
Versions differ in how to understand this difficult passage. It may mean that the speaker is crying so much that he cannot see anything because of his tears.
Here "heart" refers to the writer's inner confidence. Alternate translation: "I am very discouraged"
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This can be reordered and stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Let those who pursue my life to sweep it away be ashamed and completely disappointed"
"Please make them ashamed and completely disappointed"
Here "pursue my life" means they desire to kill the writer. The writer is represented by his "life." Alternate translation: "who are trying to kill me"
This can be reordered and stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Let those who delight in hurting me be turned back and brought to dishonor" or "Please have someone turn back those who delight in hurting me and bring them to dishonor"
"unable to continue"
"Let those who say to me, 'Aha, aha!' be appalled because of their shame"
"I hope that they will be appalled when you cause them to be ashamed"
These words indicate that the speaker has seen the hearer doing evil that the hearer did not think anyone knew about. You can use here words in your language that mean the same thing but sound different. See how this is translated in [Psalms 35:21]
These two phrases mean the same thing and emphasize the intensity of joy. Alternate translation: "be very joyful"
The abstract noun "salvation" can be stated as an action. Alternate translation: "love you because you saved them"
These words mean the same thing and emphasize how helpless the writer is. Alternate translation: "very needy"
"the Lord cares for me"
These phrases mean the same thing.
"You are the one who helps me"
"you come to save me"
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "respond quickly"
1 Blessed is he who is concerned for the weak;
in the day of trouble, Yahweh will rescue him.
2 Yahweh will preserve him and keep him alive,
and he will be blessed on the earth;
Yahweh will not turn him over to the will of his enemies.
3 Yahweh will support him on the bed of suffering;
you will make his bed of sickness into a bed of healing.
4 I said, "Yahweh, have mercy on me!
Heal me, for I have sinned against you."
5 My enemies speak evil against me, saying,
'When will he die and his name perish?'
6 If my enemy comes to see me,
he says worthless things;
his heart gathers up wickedness for itself;
when he goes away from me, he tells others about it.
7 All who hate me whisper together against me;
against me they hope for my hurt.
8 They say, "An evil disease holds on tightly to him;
now that he is lying down, he will rise up no more."
9 Indeed, even my own close friend, in whom I trusted,
who ate my bread,
has lifted up his heel against me.
10 But you, Yahweh, have mercy on me and raise me up
so that I may pay them back.
11 By this I know that you delight in me,
for my enemy does not triumph over me.
12 As for me, you support me in my integrity
and will keep me before your face forever.
13 May Yahweh, the God of Israel be praised
from everlasting to everlasting.
Amen and Amen.
Psalm 41 is a psalm of deliverance. The author's friends had become his enemies who wanted to see him die but he trusted God to rescue him. (See: deliverer and trust)
The author's best friend had become an enemy. His enemies were happy because they were sure his sickness would result in death.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
The words "he" and "him" refer to anyone who is concerned for the weak.
"weak people" or "poor people"
These words refer to anyone who is concerned for the weak.
The phrase "the bed of suffering" refers to when a person lies in bed because he is sick. Alternate translation: "When he is sick and in bed, Yahweh will support him"
The phrase "a bed of healing" refers to when a person rests in bed and recovers from his sickness. Alternate translation: "you, Yahweh, will heal him of his sickness"
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If a person's name dies, it means that people forget that he had ever lived. Alternate translation: "when will his name perish" or "when will people forget about him"
The words "my enemy" refers to any enemy in general, and not to one specific enemy.
Possible meanings are 1) "he says meaningless things" or 2) his enemies say things to make him think that they are his friends when they are not. Alternate translation: "he says deceitful things" or "they pretend to be concerned about me"
His enemies try to learn all of the bad things about him. Here the word "heart" refers the whole person. The writer's sin is spoken of as if it were an object that could be gathered. Alternate translation: "he tries to learn about all of my sins"
Possible meanings are 1) "they hope that very bad things will happen to me" or 2) "they are planning to hurt me."
His enemies speak of "disease" as if it were a person who has captured him. Alternate translation: "He is sick with a fatal disease"
Possible meanings are 1) "A fatal disease" or 2) "Something evil"
Here the words "lying down" refer to lying in bed because of illness. That he will not "rise up" means that he will continue to lie down, which is a euphemism for death. Alternate translation: "now that he is sick in bed, he will die there"
This is an idiom that means his friend betrayed him. Alternate translation: "has betrayed me" or "has turned against me"
This is a request. Alternate translation: "Please, Yahweh, have mercy on me and raise me up"
This means to raise him up from his bed, or to make him recover from his disease. Alternate translation: "make me well"
The writer speaks of revenge on his enemies as if it were paying to them what he owes. Alternate translation: "so that I may take revenge on them"
The word "this" refers to what the writer will say next. For clarity, the clauses may be reversed. Alternate translation: "Because my enemy does not triumph over me, I know that you delight in me"
This can also be translated in future tense, since Yahweh has not yet healed him. Alternate translation: "If you enable me to do that, with the result that my enemies do not defeat me, I will know that you are pleased with me"
"you support me because of my integrity"
The writer speaks of being in Yahweh's presence as being in a place where Yahweh can see him and he can see Yahweh's face. Alternate translation: "will keep me with you"
This verse is more than the end of this psalm. It is the closing statement for all of Book 1 of the Psalms, which starts at Psalm 1 and ends with Psalm 41.
This refers to two extremes and means for all time. Alternate translation: "for all eternity"
The word "Amen" is repeated to emphasize approval of what has been said. Alternate translation: "May it certainly be so"
1 As the deer pants after streams of water,
so I thirst for you, God.
2 I thirst for God, for the living God,
when will I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my food
day and night,
while my enemies are always saying to me,
"Where is your God?"
4 These things I call to mind
as I pour out my soul:
how I went with the throng
and led them to the house of God
with the voice of joy and praise,
a multitude celebrating a festival.
5 Why are you bowed down, my soul?
Why are you upset within me?
Hope in God,
for again I will praise him who is my salvation.
6 My God, my soul is bowed down within me,
therefore I call you to mind from the land of the Jordan,
from the three peaks of Mount Hermon, and from the hill of Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep at the noise of your waterfalls;
all your waves and your billows have gone over me.
8 Yet Yahweh will command his covenant faithfulness in the daytime;
in the night his song will be with me,
a prayer to the God of my life.
9 I will say to God, my rock,
"Why have you forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning
because of the oppression of the enemy?"
10 As with a sword in my bones, my adversaries rebuke me,
while they always say to me, "Where is your God?"
11 Why are you bowed down, my soul?
Why are you upset within me?
Hope in God,
for again I will praise him who is my salvation and my God.
Psalm 42 is a psalm of praise for all that God has done and a prayer for deliverance from the psalmist's enemies. (See: deliverer)
The psalmist praises God as he remembers what God has done for him in the past, and he puts his trust in him. He needs rescuing from his enemies. Scholars believe that this psalm is about a man in exile longing for Jerusalem.
Some scholars believe that these two psalms were originally written together as one psalm.
This psalm is called "a Maschil of the sons of Korah." The word "Maschil" in the original language has caused scholars to have various opinions about its meaning. Some say it means to instruct, while others say that the word is referring to the skill used in creating the psalm. Still others think it means that meditation should be used in reading this psalm.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
This may refer to a style of music. See how you translated this in Psalms 32:1.
The author compares his desire for God to the desire of a thirsty deer for water.
heavy breathing from an animal or person that is very tired or thirsty
The author speaks of his strong desire for God as if it were a strong thirst for water.
The author speaks of his strong desire for God as if it were a strong thirst for water.
The author does not ask this question to get an answer but to show his strong desire to be before God.
The author refers to his tears as if they are food that he eats. This means that he is so sad that he cannot eat. Alternate translation: "My tears are like my food and I eat nothing else"
This phrase refers to the entire day by referring to both its beginning and end. Alternate translation: "all day long"
This is an exaggeration. His enemies are not saying this constantly; they are saying it often.
The author's enemies use this question to mock him and to express that they do not see his God helping him. Alternate translation: "Your God is not here to help you"
This is an idiom that means to remember or think about something. Alternate translation: "remember"
Here the word "soul" refers to the emotions. The author speaks of his soul as if it is a liquid that he pours out. The phrase means that he is expressing his emotional grief. Alternate translation: "I express my sorrow"
"the crowd of people"
This phrase uses two different words to express one idea. Alternate translation: "joyful praise"
The author refers to his inner self as his "soul," which represents himself. He asks these questions to rebuke himself. Alternate translation: "I should not be bowed down. I should not be worried"
The writer speaks of depression or discouragement as if it were his soul being bent over. Alternate translation: "discouraged"
The writer continues to speak to his own soul and commands it to trust God.
The writer begins to speak to God about his soul.
This phrase means to remember or to think about something. Alternate translation: "I think of you"
This is probably a reference to northern Israel, where the Jordan river originates. Alternate translation: "the land where the Jordan river begins"
mountain tops
This is the name of a hill at the base of Mount Hermon.
The word "deep" refers to deep waters, which here are likely the streams rushing down Mount Hermon. The writer speaks of them as if they are people calling out to one another as they hear the sound of their own descent from the mountain.
The author speaks of his great misfortune and sadness as if they are deep waters that drown him with one wave after another.
The word "billows" is another word for "waves." Together the two words emphasize the greatness of the waves. Alternate translation: "all of your great waves"
The writer speaks of Yahweh's covenant faithfulness as if it were a person whom he commands to be with him. The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "Yahweh will show me his covenant faithfulness in the daytime" or "Yahweh will show me in the daytime how faithful he is to his covenant"
Possible meanings are 1) "the song that he gives me" or "the song about him"
"the God who gives me life"
The writer speaks of God as if he were a huge rock that would provide protection from enemy attack.
To "go mourning" is to perform customs related to being very sad.
The writer describes his adversaries' rebukes as his receiving a fatal wound.
This is an exaggeration; his enemies are not saying this constantly but are saying it often.
The writer's enemies use this question to mock him and to express that they do not see God helping him. Alternate translation: "Your God is not here to help you"
The author refers to his inner self as his "soul," which represents himself. He asks these questions to rebuke himself. See how you translated this in [Psalms 42:5]
The writer speaks of depression or discouragement as if it were his soul being bent over. See how you translated this in [Psalms 42:5]
The writer continues to speak to his own soul and commands it to trust God. See how you translated this in [Psalms 42:5]
1 Bring me justice, God,
and plead my case against a nation that is not faithful.
Deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.
2 For you are the God of my strength.
Why have you rejected me?
Why do I go about in mourning
because of the oppression of the enemy?
3 Oh, send out your light and your truth,
let them lead me.
Let them bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling.
4 Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God my exceeding joy.
I will praise you with the harp,
God, my God.
5 Why are you bowed down, my soul?
Why are you upset within me?
Hope in God,
for again I will praise him who is my salvation and my God.
Psalm 43 is a psalm of deliverance. It is a plea for rescue from the psalmist's enemies. (See: deliverer)
The author should not be discouraged because he trusts in God to deliver him. (See: trust)
Some scholars believe that these two psalms were originally written together as one psalm.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
Possible meanings are 1) "the God who protects me" or 2) "the God who gives me strength."
The writer asks these questions in order to complain to God and express his emotions, not to receive an answer.
To "go about in mourning" is to perform customs related to being very sad.
The word "oppression" can be translated as a verb. Alternate translation: "because my enemy oppresses me"
The writer speaks of God's deliverance as if it were a light that shows him the way and truth that teaches him how to live. Alternate translation: "guide me with your light and truth"
This refers to the hill in Jerusalem where the temple is located and thus to the temple itself.
"to the place where you live"
"God who is my very great joy" or "God who gives me very great joy"
The author refers to his inner self as his "soul," which represents himself. He asks these questions to rebuke himself. See how you translated this in [Psalms 42:5]
The writer speaks of depression or discouragement as if it were his soul being bent over. See how you translated this in [Psalms 42:5]
The writer continues to speak to his own soul and commands it to trust God. See how you translated this in [Psalms 42:5]
The phrase "my salvation" refers to God. If necessary the two phrases can be combined. Alternate translation: "my God who saves me"
1 We have heard with our ears, God,
our fathers have told us
what work you did in their days,
in the days of old.
2 You drove out the nations with your hand,
but you planted our people;
you afflicted the peoples,
but you spread our people out in the land.
3 For they did not obtain the land for their possession by their own sword,
neither did their own arm save them;
but your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face,
because you were favorable to them.
4 God, You are my King;
command victory for Jacob.
5 Through you we will push down our adversaries;
through your name we will tread them under,
those who rise up against us.
6 For I will not trust in my bow,
neither will my sword save me.
7 But you have saved us from our adversaries,
and have put to shame those who hate us.
8 In God we have made our boast all the day long,
and we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah
9 But now you have rejected us and brought us dishonor,
and you do not go out with our armies.
10 You make us turn back from the adversary;
and those who hate us take spoil for themselves.
11 You have made us like sheep to be slaughtered
and have scattered us among the nations.
12 You sell your people for nothing;
you have not increased your wealth by doing so.
13 You make us a rebuke to our neighbors,
scoffed and mocked by those around us.
14 You make us an insult among the nations,
a shaking of the head among the peoples.
15 All the day long my dishonor is before me,
and the shame of my face has covered me
16 because of the voice of him who rebukes and insults,
because of the enemy and the avenger.
17 All this has come on us; yet we have not forgotten you
or dealt falsely with your covenant.
18 Our heart has not turned back;
our steps have not gone from your way.
19 Yet you have severely broken us in the place of jackals
and covered us with the shadow of death.
20 If we have forgotten the name of our God
or spread out our hands to a strange god,
21 would not God search this out?
For he knows the secrets of the heart.
22 Indeed, for your sake we are being killed all day long;
we are considered to be sheep for the slaughter.
23 Awake, why do you sleep, Lord?
Arise, do not reject us forever.
24 Why do you hide your face
and forget our affliction and our oppression?
25 For we have sunk down into the dust;
our bodies cling to the earth.
26 Rise up for our help
and redeem us for the sake of your covenant faithfulness.
Psalm 44 is a deliverance psalm. It is a prayer for God's help against enemies. (See: deliverer)
When Israel entered the Promised Land, God fought for them and drove out their enemies. Since their enemies have now defeated them, they are in need of God's help. (See: promisedland)
This psalm is called "a Maschil." The word "Maschil" in the original language has caused scholars to have various opinions about its meaning. Some say it means to instruct, while others say that the word is referring to the skill used in creating the psalm. Still others think it means that meditation should be used in reading this psalm.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
"This is a psalm that the sons of Korah wrote."
The word "ears" adds emphasis to the statement that they have heard and understood the things that the writer is about to describe. The writer addresses this statement to God. Alternate translation: "God, we have heard clearly"
Both of these phrases use the word "days" to refer to the time period when the ancestors of the people of Israel were alive.
"You forced the people from other nations to leave"
Here the word "hand" refers to God's power. Alternate translation: "by your power"
The writer speaks of God's causing the Israelites to live in the land as if he were planting them in the soil like he would a tree. Alternate translation: "you caused our people to live there"
The word "sword" refers to military power. Alternate translation: "by fighting with their own swords" or "by their own army's strength"
Here the word "arm" refers to power. Alternate translation: "their own power"
You may supply a verb for this phrase. Alternate translation: "the light of your face obtained the land for their possession"
Here the words "hand" and "arm" both refer to God's power. Combined, they emphasize the greatness of God's power. Alternate translation: "your great power"
The writer speaks of Yahweh looking with favor upon them and being kind to them as if Yahweh's face shone a light on them. Alternate translation: "your kindness" or "your good favor"
The people of Israel are referred to by the name of their ancestor "Jacob."
"By you ... by your"
The writer speaks of his enemies' defeat as if they are "down" and of their preparing to fight as if they are "up."
Here the word "name" refers to God's power and authority. Alternate translation: "by your power"
"tread them under our feet" or "walk on top of them"
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The word "boast" can be translated with a verb. Alternate translation: "we have boasted"
Here the word "name" refers to God, himself. Alternate translation: "we will give thanks to you"
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resources and treasures that an army collects after winning a battle
The writer compares the Israelites to sheep that people kill and eat. As sheep are helpless before those who kill them, so the Israelites are helpless before their enemies. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: "You have allowed our enemies to kill us like they would kill a sheep and eat it"
"caused us to live in many different nations"
The writer speaks of Yahweh allowing Israel's enemies to conquer them as if he were selling the people of Israel to their enemies but does not require any payment from their enemies.
These two phrases are parallel emphasizing how the people among whom they live mock them.
The word "rebuke" can be translated as a verb. Alternate translation: "You make us something that our neighbors rebuke"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "those around us scoff at us and mock us"
These phrases are parallel emphasizing how intensely the nations around them mock them.
The word "insult" can be translated as a verb. Alternate translation: "You make the nations around us insult us"
The phrase "a shaking of the head" can be translated in verbal form. Alternate translation: "something at which the peoples shake their heads"
This was a gesture that people used to show scorn to others.
The writer speaks of his dishonor as if it were an object that is always in front of him for him to see. The phrase means that he is always thinking about his dishonor. Alternate translation: "I think about my dishonor"
The writer speaks of his shame as if it is an object that covers him like a blanket would cover him. Alternate translation: "the shame of my face has overwhelmed me"
"the shame that shows on my face." This refers to his facial expressions that his shame causes.
Here the words "the voice" represents the person insulting him. Alternate translation: "because of what the person says who rebukes and insults me"
These words have similar meanings and emphasize the harsh nature of what this person says.
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These two phrases are parallel. The writer speaks of loyalty to God as if it were following him, and disloyalty as if it were turning away from him.
Here the word "heart" refers to the emotions, and specifically to loyalty and devotion. Alternate translation: "We have not stopped being loyal to you"
The writer speaks of God's punishment as if it were breaking a fragile object. Alternate translation: "you have punished us severely"
The writer speaks of Israel after God's punishment as if it were a wild, uninhabitable place. Alternate translation: "and made our land like a place where jackals live"
a type of wild dog
The writer speaks of death as if it is an object that casts a shadow over those who are about to die. Alternate translation: "made us so that we are about to die"
This describes a situation that could have happened but did not. The writer knew that they had not forgotten the name of God. Here the word "name" refers to God, himself. To forget the name of God is to stop worshiping him. Alternate translation: "If we have forgotten our God" or "If we have stopped worshiping our God"
Spreading out the hands is a gesture that people used to worship and pray to a god. Alternate translation: "worshiped a strange god" or "prayed to a strange god"
The writer uses this question to express that God would know if they worshiped another god. Alternate translation: "God would certainly find out"
Here the word "heart" refers to the mind and thoughts. Alternate translation: "he knows what a person secretly thinks"
The phrase "all day long" is an exaggeration to emphasize that their people are being killed frequently. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "we are always in danger of people killing us"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "people consider us to be sheep for the slaughter"
The writer compares the Israelites to sheep that people kill and eat. As sheep are helpless before those who kill them, so the Israelites are helpless before their enemies.
This does not mean that God is actually asleep. The writer speaks of God's seeming inactivity as if God is sleeping. He asks the question to rebuke God for appearing not to be concerned about their troubles. Alternate translation: "Wake up! I feel like you are sleeping, Lord!"
The writer uses this question to complain that God appears to be ignoring them. Alternate translation: "Do not hide your face ... our oppression."
The writer speaks of God ignoring them as if God were hiding his face so that he could not see them. Alternate translation: "ignore us"
The words "affliction" and "oppression" mean basically the same thing and emphasize the severity of their affliction. These words may also be translated as verbs. Alternate translation: "forget that people afflict us and oppress us" or "forget that people greatly afflict us"
These parallel phrases share similar meanings. The writer describes his people as lying on the ground in a posture of defeat and humiliation.
The writer speaks of their humiliation as if their bodies were objects, such as ice, that melt and soak into the dirt.
The writer speaks of their humiliation as if their bodies were stuck to the ground and they could not raise themselves up.
This is a command to stand. This phrase refers to beginning to act on something. Alternate translation: "Take action"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "to show that you are faithful to your covenant"
1 My heart overflows on a good subject;
I will read aloud the words I have composed about the king;
my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
2 You are fairer than the children of mankind;
grace is poured onto your lips;
therefore we know that God has blessed you forever.
3 Gird your sword to your side, mighty one,
in your glory and your majesty.
4 In your majesty ride on triumphantly
because of trustworthiness, meekness, and righteousness;
your right hand will teach you fearful things.
5 Your arrows are sharp;
the peoples fall under you;
your arrows are in the hearts of the king's enemies.
6 Your throne, God, is forever and ever;
a scepter of justice is the scepter of your kingdom.
7 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness more than your companions.
8 All your garments smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia;
out of ivory palaces
stringed instruments have made you glad.
9 Kings' daughters are among your honorable women;
at your right hand stands the queen clothed in gold of Ophir.
10 Listen, daughter, consider and incline your ear;
forget your own people and your father's house.
11 In this way the king will desire your beauty;
he is your master; revere him.
12 The daughter of Tyre will be there with a gift;
the rich among the people will beg for your favor.
13 The royal daughter in the palace is all glorious;
her clothing is worked with gold.
14 She will be led to the king in embroidered dress;
the virgins, her companions who follow her,
will be brought to you.
15 They will be led by gladness and rejoicing;
they will enter into the king's palace.
16 In the place of your fathers will be your children,
whom you will make princes in all the earth.
17 I will make your name to be remembered in all generations;
therefore the peoples will give you thanks forever and ever.
Psalm 45 is a royal psalm written for the king's wedding day.
The king has a beautiful palace, and his bride is also beautiful.
This psalm is called "a Maschil." The word "Maschil" in the original language has caused scholars to have various opinions about its meaning. Some say it means to instruct, while others say that the word is referring to the skill used in creating the psalm. Still others think it means that meditation should be used in reading this psalm.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
This may refer to a style or the tune of the music. Sometimes it is translated as "set to the tune of 'Lilies.'"
"This is a psalm that the sons of Korah wrote."
This may refer to a style of music. See how you translated this in Psalms 32:1.
The writer speaks of his heart as if it were a container that overflows with liquid. The word "heart" represents his emotions, which are excited by the song that he sings. Alternate translation: "My emotions are excited about a good subject"
"a noble theme" or "a beautiful word." This refers to the song that he has written.
to have written or created a song
The writer speaks of his tongue as if it were a pen. He speaks words as skillfully as an experienced writer writes words. Alternate translation: "my tongue is like the pen of person who writes well" or "I speak words as skillfully as an experienced writer can write words"
This phrase is an exaggeration that emphasizes that the king is better looking than anyone else. The phrase "children of mankind" is an idiom and refers to all humans. Alternate translation: "You are more handsome than any other man"
The writer speaks of grace as if it were oil that someone has used to anoint the king's lips. The word "lips" refers to the king's speech. The phrase means that the king speaks eloquently. Alternate translation: "it is as if someone has anointed your lips with oil" or "you speak eloquently"
Warriors carried their swords in sheaths that hung from belts around their waists. The swords would rest against their sides. This phrase describes an action of someone preparing for battle. Alternate translation: "Prepare yourself for battle"
The writer tells the king to ride his horse or chariot to victory.
The abstract nouns "trustworthiness," "meekness," and "righteousness" can be stated as adjectives. Possible meanings are 1) these are qualities of the mighty one. Alternate translation: "because you are trustworthy, meek, and righteous" or 2) these are virtues that he fights to uphold for the people whom he rules. Alternate translation: "in order to fight for what is trustworthy, meek, and right"
Most soldiers held their swords with their right hands when they fought. Here, the phrase "right hand" refers to his ability to fight, which the writer speaks of as if it were a person who can teach the king through the experience he gains in battle. Alternate translation: "You will learn to accomplish great military feats by fighting in many battles"
"awesome deeds." This refers to military victories that cause his enemies to fear him and his allies to revere him.
This phrase refers to the king defeating his enemies. Possible meanings are 1) "the peoples fall at your feet in surrender" or 2) "the peoples fall dead at your feet."
"your arrows have pierced the hearts of your enemies." The writer speaks to the king while referring to the king in the third person.
The word "throne" represents the kingdom and rule of the king. Alternate translation: "Your kingdom ... is forever and ever" or "You will reign ... forever and ever"
Possible meanings are that the word "God" 1) is a title for the king, who is God's representative or 2) modifies the word "throne" and means "Your kingdom that God has given you."
The word "scepter" represents the king's authority to rule his kingdom. Alternate translation: "you rule your kingdom with justice"
The writer speaks of gladness as if it were an oil that God used to anoint the king. That God has anointed him is a symbolic action that represents God's choosing him to be king. Alternate translation: "when God appointed you as king, he made you very glad"
Here the writer begins to describe what appears to be the wedding ceremony of the king and his bride.
These are aromatic plant substances that people used to make perfumes.
Ivory is a hard white substance that forms animal's tusks. This phrase describes a palace with walls and furniture that people have decorated with ivory.
The words "stringed instruments" refers to the music that people make by playing the stringed instruments. Alternate translation: "the music of stringed instruments has made you glad"
These women are wives of the king who receive his approval.
This is a reference to the woman who will become queen. Alternate translation: "your bride, the queen" or "your bride, who will be the queen"
This is the name of a place that had a reputation for its fine gold. The location is unknown.
The writer begins to speak to the queen and refers to her as "daughter" because she is a young woman.
The writer speaks of listening carefully to something as if it were bending one's ear towards the person who is speaking. Alternate translation: "listen carefully"
The writer speaks of the queen no longer following the beliefs and customs of her native people as if it were forgetting them. Alternate translation: "no longer follow the customs of your people"
Here the word "house" refers to family. Alternate translation: "your relatives"
"and" or "so"
This is a polite way to say that the king will want to sleep with the queen as his wife.
The writer continues to speak to the queen.
The writer speaks of the people who live in Tyre as if they are Tyre's children. Alternate translation: "The people of Tyre"
This is a reference to the woman whom the king will marry. Alternate translation: "The king's bride"
"very beautiful." This refers to the woman's appearance.
Her clothing is decorated or embroidered with gold. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "she wears clothing that someone has embroidered with golden thread"
The author continues to speak about the queen but begins to address the king again.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "People will lead her to the king as she wears an embroidered dress"
a design made by sewing colored threads into cloth
Here the word "you" refers to the king. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "people will bring to you the virgins, her companions who follow her"
This phrase describes "gladness and rejoicing" as a person who leads others to celebrate. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Gladness and rejoicing will lead them" or "They will proceed with gladness and rejoicing"
These two words mean basically the same thing and emphasize the intensity of gladness. Alternate translation: "great gladness"
The writer continues to address the king.
This means that the king's sons will replace him as king, just as he replaced his ancestors as king.
The phrase "in all the earth" is an exaggeration to emphasize that they will rule over many nations. Alternate translation: "you will make rulers over many nations"
Here the word "I" refers to the writer. The word "name" refers to the king's character and reputation. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I will cause people in every generation to know about your greatness"
1 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains should be shaken into the heart of the seas,
3 though its waters roar and rage, and
though the mountains tremble with their swelling. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make the city of God happy,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is in the middle of her; she will not be moved;
God will help her, and he will do so at the dawn of morning.
6 The nations raged and the kingdoms were shaken;
he lifted up his voice, and the earth melted.
7 Yahweh of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
8 Come, behold the deeds of Yahweh,
who has set up objects of horror on earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and cuts the spear into pieces;
he burns up the shields.
10 Be quiet and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations;
I will be exalted on the earth.
11 Yahweh of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
Psalm 46 is a psalm of praise to God.
God is all-powerful, controls nature, and protects his people. (See: peopleofgod)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
"This is a psalm that the sons of Korah wrote"
This may refer to a style of music.
The writer speaks of God as if he were a place where people can go for safety. Alternate translation: "God gives us safety and strength"
The writer speaks of the deepest part of the sea as if it were the sea's heart. Here he describes an earthquake that causes the mountains to crumble and fall into the sea. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the mountains should shake so violently that they fall into the depths of the sea"
"though the waters of the sea roar and rage." The words "roar" and "rage" describe the violent movements of the sea during a strong storm.
The phrase "their swelling" refers to the waters of the sea as they rise and crash against the mountains. Alternate translation: "the swelling waters cause the mountains to tremble"
The imagery of a running river symbolizes peace and prosperity for the city of God.
The phrase "the city of God" refers to Jerusalem, and represents the people who live in that city. Alternate translation: "make the people who live in Jerusalem happy"
This phrase describes "the city of God." Alternate translation: "the holy place where the Most High lives"
The words "her" and "she" refer to "the city of God."
Here, the word "moved" is the same word translated as "shaken" in [Psalms v. 2]
Here, the word "raged" is the same word that the writer used in [Psalms v. 3]
Here, the word "shaken" is the same word that the writer used in [Psalms v. 2]
"God lifted up his voice." The writer speaks of the "voice" as an object that a person can pick up and raise into the air. This means that the voice becomes louder. Alternate translation: "God shouted"
The writer speaks of the earth as an object, such as ice, that can melt. Here "the earth" represents mankind, and to melt represents fear. Alternate translation: "the people of the earth tremble with fear"
The writer speaks of God as if he were a place where people can go for safety. Alternate translation: "the God of Jacob gives us safety"
Possible meanings are 1) "the God whom Jacob worshiped" or 2) "Jacob" is a metonym for the nation of Israel and means "the God of Israel."
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"He makes nations stop fighting wars"
This is an idiom that refers to everywhere in the word. Alternate translation: "everywhere in the world"
One way in which Yahweh will make all wars to cease is by destroying the weapons that the armies use to fight one another.
Some versions understand this Hebrew word as "chariots."
Here, God begins to speak.
In this context, these words are likely a command to the nations to stop their wars. Alternate translation: "Stop fighting"
Here the word "know" means to understand and to confess that Yahweh is the true God.
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize that the people of every nation in the world will exalt God. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "People from every nation will exalt me; people all over the earth will exalt me"
The writer speaks of God as if he were a place where people can go for safety. See how you translated these lines in [Psalms 46:7]
1 Clap your hands, all you peoples;
shout to God with the sound of celebration.
2 For Yahweh Most High is terrifying;
he is a great King over all the earth.
3 He subdues peoples under us
and nations under our feet.
4 He chooses our inheritance for us,
the pride of Jacob whom he loved. Selah
5 God has gone up with a shout,
Yahweh with the sound of a ram's horn.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises.
7 For God is the King over all the earth;
sing praises with understanding.
8 God reigns over the nations;
God sits on his holy throne.
9 The princes of the peoples have gathered together
to the people of the God of Abraham;
for the shields of the earth belong to God;
he is greatly exalted.
Psalm 47 is a psalm of praise to God.
God is powerful over all the nations in the world.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
Clapping your hands is associated with celebration. Alternate translation: "Clap your hands in celebration"
"shout to God with joyful voices." Here the word "celebration" refers to the joy associated with victory in battle.
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These two phrases are parallel and mean that God enabled Israel to conquer their enemies.
to conquer and place under the authority of another
The writer speaks of conquering other nations as if it were putting those nations underneath their feet.
The writer speaks of the land of Israel as if it were an inheritance that God has given the people as a permanent possession. Alternate translation: "He chooses this land as an inheritance for us"
Here the word "pride" is a metonym for the source of pride and represents the land that God has given to his people as an inheritance. Alternate translation: "the land in which Jacob takes pride"
The word "Jacob" refers to the nation of Israel.
The writer speaks of God's conquering the nations as if God were a king ascending his throne, which was located in the temple. Alternate translation: "God has gone up into the temple as people shouted" or "God has ascended to his throne as people shouted"
This phrase parallels the previous phrase. The verb may be supplied for clarity. Alternate translation: "Yahweh has gone up as people blew rams' horns"
The phrase "sing praises" is repeated for emphasis. You may omit the repetition if it is awkward in your language. Alternate translation: "Sing, sing praises to God; sing, sing praises to our King"
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"The rulers of all the nations"
Possible meanings are that the rulers of the nations 1) "gather in front of the people" or 2) "gathered together with the people" so that all may worship God as king.
Possible meanings are that "shields" 1) refers to instruments of war. Alternate translation: "God has more power than the weapons of all the kings on the earth" or 2) refers to the rulers of the nations who are spoken of as shields who protect their nations. Alternate translation: "the kings of the earth are subject to God"
1 Great is Yahweh and greatly to be praised,
in the city of our God on his holy mountain.
2 Beautiful in elevation,
the joy of the whole earth,
is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north,
the city of the great King.
3 God has made himself known in her palaces as a refuge.
4 For, see, the kings assembled themselves;
they passed by together.
5 They saw it, then they were amazed;
they were dismayed, and they hurried away.
6 Trembling took hold of them there,
pain as when a woman is in labor.
7 With the east wind
you break the ships of Tarshish.
8 As we have heard,
so have we seen
in the city of Yahweh of hosts,
in the city of our God;
God will establish it
forever. Selah
9 We have thought about your covenant faithfulness, God,
in the middle of your temple.
10 As your name is, God,
so is your praise to the ends of the earth;
your right hand is full of righteousness.
11 Let Mount Zion be glad,
let the daughters of Judah rejoice
because of your righteous decrees.
12 Walk around Mount Zion, go round about her;
count her towers,
13 notice well her walls,
and look at her palaces
so that you may tell it to the next generation.
14 For this God is our God forever and ever;
he will be our guide to death.
Psalm 48 is a psalm of praise for Jerusalem.
Jerusalem has mighty defenses. Foreign nations will be amazed. It is something to remember and testify about. (See: testimony)
It is helpful to know that "Mount Zion" is often used to refer to the city of Jerusalem.
This psalm is a song about Jerusalem being God's dwelling place. Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
This can be stated in active from. Alternate translation: "people are to praise him greatly"
This is a reference to Jerusalem, which was built on Mount Zion.
Possible meanings are 1) "the city where our God lives" or 2) "the city that belongs to our God"
"Beautiful and high." The word "elevation" refers to how high mount Zion is.
Here the word "earth" refers to everyone living on the earth. The word "joy" may be translated as a verb. Alternate translation: "Mount Zion gives joy to everyone on earth" or "everyone on earth rejoices because of Mount Zion"
Possible meanings are that this phrase 1) refers to the direction of the north or 2) is a proper name, Zaphon, referring to a mountain in the north.
The writer speaks of God as if he were a place where people can go for safety. Alternate translation: "God has made himself known as one who gives safety to the people in Mount Zion's palaces"
The word "see" here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
Here the kings represent their armies. Alternate translation: "assembled their armies"
"together they passed by Jerusalem"
"They saw Jerusalem"
greatly troubled
The writer speaks of the kings' fear as if it were a person who caused the kings and their armies to tremble. Alternate translation: "There they trembled with fear"
The writer speaks of the kings' fear as if it were the pain that a woman experiences in childbirth and speaks of that pain as if it were a person. The verb may be supplied from the previous clause. Alternate translation: "pain took hold of them, as when a woman is in labor" or "they became afraid, like a woman is afraid of experiencing labor pains"
Possible meanings are 1) this is a metaphor in which the author describes the kings being afraid as if they were ships that shake because God destroys them with a strong wind. Alternate translation: "They shook with fear, as the ships of Tarshish shake when you break them with the east wind" or 2) this is an apostrophe in which the author describes God's great power.
Possible meanings are 1) "a wind blowing from the east" or 2) "a strong wind."
Possible meanings are that this refers to 1) ships that sail to or are built in the city of Tarshish or 2) any large ocean-going ship.
It is implied that what they have heard is the great things that God has done in the past. Alternate translation: "As we have heard about the great things that God has done"
This means that they have seen the proof that the things that they have heard are true. Alternate translation: "so we have seen God do great things now"
Both of these phrases refer to Jerusalem. Alternate translation: "in the city of our God, Yahweh of hosts"
"make it secure." Here the word "establish means to preserve and make something secure.
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "how faithful you are to your covenant" or "how faithful you are to us because of your covenant"
"as we are in your temple"
Here the word "name" represents God's character and reputation. The two phrases compare the greatness of God's reputation with how greatly people praise him. Alternate translation: "Your name is very great ... and so people throughout the world praise you greatly" or "People all throughout the world have heard of you ... so people throughout the world praise you"
This is an idiomatic expression that means everywhere in the word. See how you translated this in [Psalms 46:9]
The writer speaks of righteousness as if it were an object that God could hold in his hand. Here the word "hand" refers to God's power and authority to rule. Alternate translation: "you rule with righteousness" or "you are righteous as you rule"
The writer speaks of Mount Zion as if it were a person who could be glad. The phrase refers to the people who live in Jerusalem. Alternate translation: "Let those who live on Mount Zion be glad"
The writer speaks of the towns in Judah as if they were Judah's children. The phrase refers to the people who live in those towns. Alternate translation: "let the people who live in the cities of Judah rejoice"
These two phrases are parallel. Alternate translation: "Walk all the way around Mount Zion"
"notice in detail"
The word "guide" can be translated as a verb. Alternate translation: "he will guide us"
Possible meanings are 1) "until we die" or 2) "forever."
1 Hear this, all you peoples;
give ear, all you inhabitants of the world,
2 both low and high,
rich and poor together.
3 My mouth will speak wisdom
and the meditation of my heart will be of understanding.
4 I will incline my ear to a parable;
I will begin my parable with the harp.
5 Why should I fear the days of evil,
when iniquity surrounds me at my heels?
6 Why should I fear those who trust in their wealth
and boast about the amount of their riches?
7 It is certain that no one can redeem his brother
or give God a ransom for him,
8 For the redemption of one's life is costly,
and no one can pay what we owe.
9 No one can live forever
so that he would not see the pit.
10 For he will see decay. Wise men die;
the fool and the brute alike perish
and leave their wealth to others.
11 Their inner thought is that their families will continue forever,
and the places where they live, to all generations;
they call their lands after their own names.
12 But man, having wealth, does not remain alive;
he is like the wild animals that perish.
13 This, their way, is their folly;
yet after them, men approve of their sayings. Selah
14 Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol,
and death will be their shepherd.
The upright will rule over them in the morning,
and their bodies will be consumed in Sheol,
with no place for them to live.
15 But God will redeem my life from the power of Sheol;
he will receive me. Selah
16 Do not be afraid when one becomes rich,
and the glory of his house increases.
17 For when he dies he will take nothing away;
his glory will not go down after him.
18 He blessed his soul while he lived—
and men praise you when you live for yourself—
19 he will go to the generation of his fathers
and they will never see the light again.
20 One who has wealth but no understanding
is like the animals that perish.
Psalm 49 is a wisdom psalm. (See: wise)
Riches do not last forever. They cannot save a person from death, and they cannot be taken from a person at death. (See: eternity and save)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
These two phrases are parallel. Together they strengthen the command for all people to listen.
This idiomatic expression means to use one's ears to listen. Alternate translation: "listen"
The writer speaks of people who are weak or insignificant in society as being low and of people who are important and powerful as being high. Together, the words "low" and "high" represent all people. Alternate translation: "both important people and unimportant people" or "people of every social class"
Together the words "rich" and "poor" refer to all people, regardless of wealth. Alternate translation: "all people"
Here the word "mouth" refers to the whole person who speaks. Alternate translation: "I will speak wise words"
Here the word "heart" represents the mind and thoughts. The abstract nouns "meditation" and "understanding" can be translated as verbs. Alternate translation: "the thoughts upon which I meditate will help you to understand"
The writer speaks of listening carefully to something as if it were bending one's ear towards the person who is speaking. Alternate translation: "listen carefully"
"as I play the harp"
The writer asks this question to emphasize that he has no reason to fear when bad things happen. Alternate translation: "I have no reason to fear ... heels."
"when evil things happen." Here the word "days" refers to general periods of time.
Possible meanings are 1) the writer speaks of the evil desires of his enemies as if it were a predator ready to overtake him. Alternate translation: "when the iniquity of sinful men is ready to overcome me" or 2) the writer's enemies surround him as they commit their iniquity. Alternate translation: "when my enemies surround me"
These people trust their wealth will keep them from having to suffer.
a large amount of something
"There is no way that any of them can" or Alternate translation: "No one can"
Both of these phrases express that a person cannot give God enough money to be able to avoid death. Alternate translation: "no one can pay money to God so that their brother will not die"
The word "redemption" can be translated with a verb. Alternate translation: "it costs too much to redeem a person's life"
The word "pit" here refers to the place where a person's spirit goes after the person dies. The words "not see the pit" refer to the person's dead body not decaying.
The writer speaks of experiencing something as if it were seeing that thing. Alternate translation: "he will die and his body will decay"
The author refers to all people by referring to those who have the most and least wisdom.
This means a person who is stupid or unintelligent.
"Their belief"
The verb may be supplied from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: "the places where they live will continue to all generations"
"they name their lands after themselves." This phrase expresses ownership. Alternate translation: "they own their own lands"
"But man, even if he has wealth"
The writer speaks of the fate of fools as if it is the destination at the end of the path on which they walk. Alternate translation: "This is the fate of those who practice folly"
"yet after they die"
The author continues to describe people who believe their wealth will save them.
The writer compares people who will all die to a flock of sheep. Just as sheep cannot escape when the butcher decides to slaughter them, so men will not escape when it is their time to die.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God has appointed them"
The writer speaks of men dying by personifying death as a shepherd who leads them into the grave. Alternate translation: "death will take them away as a shepherd leads away sheep to be slaughtered"
Here the word "morning" is a metaphor that refers to a time when God will vindicate righteous people and save them from evil people.
The writer speaks of Sheol, the place of the dead, as if it were a person or animal. He speaks of the decay of dead bodies as if Sheol were eating them. Alternate translation: "their bodies will decompose in the grave"
The writer speaks of Sheol as if it were a person who has power over those who die. From the context, it is implied that this power refers to consuming the bodies of the dead.
Here the word "life" refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: "God will redeem me"
The word "glory" here refers to wealth or riches. Possible meanings are 1) "when he gains more wealth in his house" or 2) "when his family becomes richer."
"he will take nothing with him to the grave"
The phrase "go down" refers to when the man dies. Alternate translation: "his glory will not go along with him when he dies" or "he will not keep his reputation when he dies"
Here the word "soul" refers to the whole person. This phrase means that he considered himself to be happy and successful because of his riches. Alternate translation: "He congratulated himself"
"he will go to where his fathers' generation is." This is a euphemism that means that the rich man will die and join his ancestors in the grave. Alternate translation: "he will join his ancestors in the grave"
The word "they" refers to the rich man and his ancestors. The word "light" may refer to the sun or be a metaphor for life. Alternate translation: "they will never see the sun again" or "they will never live again"
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1 The Mighty One, God, Yahweh,
has spoken and called the earth
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,
God has shone.
3 Our God comes
and does not stay silent;
a fire devours before him,
and it is very stormy around him.
4 He calls to the heavens above
and to the earth so that he may judge his people:
5 "Gather my faithful ones together to me,
those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice."
6 The heavens will declare his righteousness,
for God himself is judge. Selah
7 "Hear, my people, and I will speak, Israel,
and I will testify against you.
I am God, your God.
8 I will not reprove you for your sacrifices;
your burnt offerings are always before me.
9 I will take no bull out of your house,
or male goats out of your folds.
10 For every animal of the forest is mine,
and the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know all the birds of the mountains,
and the wild beasts of the field are mine.
12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you;
for the world is mine, and everything in it.
13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls
or drink the blood of goats?
14 Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and pay your vows to the Most High.
15 Call on me in the day of trouble;
I will rescue you, and you will glorify me."
16 But to the wicked God says,
"What have you to do with declaring my statutes,
that you have taken my covenant in your mouth,
17 since you hate instruction
and throw my words away?
18 When you see a thief, you agree with him;
you participate with those who commit adultery.
19 You give your mouth to evil,
and your tongue expresses deceit.
20 You sit and speak against your brother;
you slander your own mother's son.
21 You have done these things, but I have kept silent,
so you thought that I was someone just like yourself.
But I will reprove you
and bring up, right before your eyes, all the things you have done.
22 Give this careful consideration, you who forget God,
otherwise I will tear you to pieces,
and there will be no one to come to help you!
23 The one who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving praises me,
and to anyone who plans his path in the right way
I will show God's salvation."
Psalm 50 is a wisdom psalm. It tells what pleases God. (See: wise)
God does not need animal sacrifices; he does not eat meat or drink blood. The world and everything in it belong to God. He wants people to be thankful and to depend on him. God rejects evil people who reject his covenant. (See: blood and evil)
This psalm is a song that teaches people. Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
The author uses three different names to speak of God.
Here the word "earth" refers to the people who live on the earth. Alternate translation: "called all people"
This phrase refers to the directions east, where the sun rises, and west, where the sun sets. The writer uses these two extremes to represent everywhere on earth. Alternate translation: "everywhere on earth"
Possible meanings are 1) "Zion, whose beauty is perfect" or 2) "Zion, the most beautiful city."
The writer speaks of God as if he were a light that shines. This refers to God causing people to know about his glory. Alternate translation: "God's glory shines like a light"
The writer uses this negative statement to emphasize the positive. Alternate translation: "speaks so that everyone can hear him"
The writer speaks of a fire burning things as if it were eating them. Alternate translation: "a fire burns in front of him"
"there is a great storm around him"
Possible meanings are 1) God is calling on all who live in heaven and on earth to be witnesses as he judges his people or 2) God is speaking to heaven and earth as if they are people, and he is calling them to be witnesses as he judges his people.
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Possible meanings are 1) the writer uses the word "heavens" to refer to the angels who live there or 2) the writer speaks of "the heavens" as if they are a person who testifies about God's righteousness.
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"I will reprove you, but not for your sacrifices." God explains that their sacrifices are not the reason that he is reproving them.
tell someone he is guilty of doing wrong
This explains why God is not rebuking them for their sacrifices. The phrase "are always before me" refers to being in God's presence and means that his people are always sacrificing their burnt offerings to him. Alternate translation: "you are always sacrificing burnt offerings to me"
areas surrounded by walls in which sheep and goats are kept
The phrase "on a thousand hills" does not represent the total number of cattle that God owns. The number is an exaggeration that emphasizes that God owns all of the cattle in the world. The verb may be supplied from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: "all the cattle in the world are mine"
"1,000 hills"
Here the word "know" implies ownership. Alternate translation: "I own all the birds"
This describes something that could not happen, since God does not get hungry.
God asks this rhetorical question to emphasize that he does not do these things and so has no need for their sacrifices. Alternate translation: "I do not eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats."
Here God refers to himself. Alternate translation: "Offer to me"
The writer speaks of "vows" as if they are currency which a person pays to God. Alternate translation: "fulfill your vows to the Most High" or "do what you have promised the Most High to do"
Here the word "day" refers to any period of time. Alternate translation: "whenever you have troubles"
Here God is still speaking and speaks of himself in the third person. Alternate translation: "But to the wicked I say"
The word "wicked" refers to wicked people in general. Alternate translation: "to wicked people"
God speaks of wicked people reciting the words of his covenant as if they are putting the covenant in their mouth. Alternate translation: "talk about my covenant"
This is the end of the rhetorical question begun with the words "What have you to do"
God speaks of the wicked people rejecting what he says as if they were throwing away trash. Alternate translation: "reject what I say"
Possible meanings are 1) that they approve of the thief's actions. Alternate translation: "you approve or him" or 2) that they join the thief in their actions. Alternate translation: "you join him"
God speaks of a person speaking evil things as if that person's mouth is a messenger whom the person sends to do evil things. Alternate translation: "You are always saying evil things"
The word "tongue" represents the person who is speaking. Alternate translation: "you are always telling lies"
These two phrases have the same meaning but use different words. God accuses them of speaking falsely against members of their own family.
To "sit and speak" against someone implies that this person deliberately thinks of bad things to say about someone. Alternate translation: "You always think of ways to speak"
Since God had kept silent and not yet rebuked the wicked people for their actions, they thought that God approved of what they did. Alternate translation: "you thought that I was someone who acts just like you do"
tell someone he is guilty of doing wrong
God speaks of listing all of the evil things that they have done. Alternate translation: "list ... all the things you have done"
Here, to be "before your eyes" means that it is in a place where they can see. This means that they will not be able to deny the charges that God brings against them. Alternate translation: "right in front of you" or "so that you can not deny them"
God speaks of the wicked rejecting him as if they have forgotten him. He speaks of himself in the third person. Alternate translation: "you who reject me"
God speaks of destroying the wicked as if he were a lion eating its prey. Alternate translation: "I will destroy you"
God speaks of a the way a person lives as if it were a path that the person travels. Alternate translation: "lives his life the right way"
The abstract noun "salvation" can be stated as "save." God refers to himself in the third person. Alternate translation: "I will save him"
1 Have mercy on me, God,
because of your covenant faithfulness;
for the sake of the multitude of your merciful actions,
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, I have sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
you are justified when you speak;
you are blameless when you judge.
5 See, I was born in iniquity;
as soon as my mother conceived me, I was in sin.
6 See, you desire trustworthiness in my inner self;
and you teach me wisdom in the secret place within.
7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Make me hear joy and gladness
so that the bones that you have broken may rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Do not drive me away from your presence,
and do not take your holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain me with a willing spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will be converted to you.
14 Forgive me for shedding blood,
God of my salvation,
and I will shout for the joy of your righteousness.
15 Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will express your praise.
16 For you do not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you have no pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.
You, God, will not despise a broken and a contrite heart.
18 Do good in your good pleasure to Zion;
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then will you delight in the sacrifices of righteousness,
in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;
then our people will offer bulls on your altar.
Psalm 51 is a psalm of repentance from sin. (See: repent and sin)
The psalmist is truly sorry for having sinned. He repented and God forgave his sins. God wants true sorrow for having sinned, not sacrifices. (See: true and forgive)
Scholars are divided over whether this psalm was authored by King David as is mentioned by the superscription. If nothing else, we can assume the last two verses were added later since Jerusalem is intact with well-built walls during King David's reign.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry. In this psalm David asks God for forgiveness.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
Possible meanings are 1) David wrote the psalm or 2) the psalm is about David or 3) the psalm is in the style of David's psalms.
It can be stated clearly what Nathan did when he came to David, because this psalm is in response to that. Alternate translation: "when Nathan the prophet came to David and rebuked him"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "because you are faithful to your covenant"
"because you do so many merciful things"
Forgiving sins is spoken of as either 1) blotting them out or 2) erasing a written record of the sins. Alternate translation: "forgive my sins like someone wiping something away" or "forget my sins like someone who erases a record of sins"
These two phrases mean the same thing.
Being acceptable to God is spoken of as being clean. God makes people acceptable by forgiving their sins. Alternate translation: "Wash away all my sin" or "Forgive all my sins so that I will be acceptable to you"
completely, totally
Being acceptable to God is spoken of as being clean. God makes people acceptable by forgiving their sins. Alternate translation: "Make me clean from my sin" or "forgive me for my sin so that I will be clean"
Not being able to forget his sins is spoken of as if they were always in front of him where he can see them. Alternate translation: "I am always aware of my sins" or "I cannot forget my sins"
The word "sight" here represents judgment. Yahweh saw and did not approve of David's actions. Alternate translation: "what you judge to be evil" or "what you consider to be evil"
Being a sinner is spoken of as being in iniquity. Alternate translation: "I was already a sinner when I was born"
Being a sinner is spoken of as being in sin. Alternate translation: "even when my mother conceived me, I was a sinner"
The use of "See" here draw our attention to the contrast between this sentence and "See, I was born in iniquity" (verse 5). "Truly I was born in iniquity ... But you desire trustworthiness"
The "inner self" represents either 1) the person's desires or 2) the whole person. Alternate translation: "you want me to desire trustworthiness" or "you want me to be trustworthy"
Being acceptable to God is spoken of as being clean or white. God makes people acceptable by forgiving their sins.
The writer speaks of God as if God were a priest who would sprinkle water on him to make him acceptable to God. Alternate translation: "Make me acceptable by sprinkling water on me with hyssop" or "Forgive me for my sins so that I will be acceptable to you"
This is a plant that the priests used to sprinkle water or blood on people or things to make them ceremonially clean, that is, acceptable to God.
Not having sin is spoken of as being white. Alternate translation: "very, very white"
These two words mean basically the same thing and emphasize his desire to hear joyful things.
Feeling terrible sadness is spoken of as if his bones were broken. Alternate translation: "for you have caused me terrible sadness in my inner being. Let me rejoice again"
Thinking about someone's sins is spoken of as seeing them. Forgiving or refusing to think about the sins is spoken of as choosing not to see them. Alternate translation: "Do not look at my sins" or "Do not remember my sins"
Forgiving or refusing to think about someone's sins is spoken of as either 1) blotting them out or 2) erasing a written record of the sins. Alternate translation: 1) "forgive my sins like someone wiping something away" or "forget my sins like someone who erases a record of sins"
Here the "heart" represents the feelings and desires. Being completely devoted and obedient to God is spoken of as having a clean heart. Alternate translation: "Make me completely devoted to you" or "Make me want to obey you always"
Here "spirit" represents the attitude and desires of a David. Alternate translation: "make my attitude right" or "make me always want to do what is right"
"Do not force me to go away from you." Being rejected by God is spoken of as being forced to go away from him. Alternate translation: "Do not reject me as one of your people"
"hold me up" or "assist me"
"the way you want people to live" or "what you want people to do"
These two words refer to the same people here.
This phrase refers to killing another person.
Here the person is represented by his "mouth." Being able to talk is spoken of as the lips being open. Here not being able to speak is a symbol of being guilty of sin and not being able to make a defense. Alternate translation: "Lord, make me able to speak, and I will praise you"
This means that God wants something more important than these things. Alternate translation: "A sacrifice is not enough to please you ... you want something more than burn offerings"
"The sacrifices that please God"
A broken spirit represents a humble attitude. Alternate translation: "humility" or "a person who becomes humble"
Being humble and sorry for one's sin is spoken of as having a broken and contrite heart. The heart represents the emotions and will. Alternate translation: "sorrow and humility" or "a person who is sorry for his sin and humble"
The walls of a city protect the city and the people in it. Possible meanings are 1) "enable us to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem" or 2) "protect Jerusalem and make it strong"
A bull is an adult male cow. Bulls were often used as sacrificial animals, according to God's instruction.
1 Why are you proud of making trouble, you mighty man?
The covenant faithfulness of God comes every day.
2 Your tongue plans destruction
like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
3 You love evil more than good
and lying rather than speaking righteousness. Selah
4 You love all words that devour others,
you deceitful tongue.
5 God will surely destroy you forever;
he will take you up and pluck you out of your tent
and root you out of the land of the living. Selah
6 The righteous will also see it and fear;
they will laugh at him and say,
7 "See, this is a man who did not make God his refuge,
but he trusted in the abundance of his wealth,
and he was strong when he destroyed others."
8 But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God;
I will trust in the covenant faithfulness of God forever and ever.
9 I will give you thanks forever for what you have done.
I will wait for your name, because it is good,
in the presence of your faithful ones.
Psalm 52 is a wisdom psalm. It teaches that God will destroy evil people. (See: wise and evil)
Although the evil people feel secure with their wealth and evil deeds, God will destroy them. But people who do good are secure because God protects them. (See: works)
This psalm is called "a Maschil of David." The word "Maschil" in the original language has caused scholars to have various opinions about its meaning. Some say it means to instruct, while others say that the word is referring to the skill used in creating the psalm. Still others think it means that meditation should be used in reading this psalm.
In this psalm the word "you" refers to Doeg. When Saul wanted to kill David, Doeg told Saul where David was so that Saul could find him. Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
This may refer to a style of music. See how you translated this in Psalms 32:1.
These are the names of men.
This question shows how angry David was at the one who made trouble. Alternate translation: "You should not be so proud of making trouble, you mighty man."
David may have been using irony when he called Doeg this. Alternate translation: "you, who think you are so mighty"
David speaks of God's covenant faithfulness as if it were something that could come. David was probably referring to God's promises to protect his people from wicked people. The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated as an adjective or an adverb. Alternate translation: "Every day, God is faithful to keep the promises of his covenant" or "Every day, God faithfully protects his people from wicked people like you"
a sharp blade
Here the tongue is compared to a sharp razor which is capable of causing great harm. Alternate translation: "Your tongue harms people like a sharp razor does, when you plan destruction and deceive others"
Here "your tongue" refers to the person David is speaking to. Alternate translation: "You"
David continues speaking to the "mighty man" of Psalms 5:1
"you love lying more than speaking what is right"
Here words that harm others are spoken of as if they were animals that devour people. Alternate translation: "words that harm others"
This refers to the person the author is speaking to. Alternate translation: "you speaker of deceit" or "you liar"
The word translated "surely" shows that the writer has finished describing how evil the "mighty man" Psalm 52:1 is and is now describing what God will do and that it will surely happen.
All three of these phrases are different ways of saying "remove you"
Being alive on earth is spoken of as if people are plants with roots in the ground. God killing someone is spoken of as digging up the plant's roots and taking it out of the ground. Alternate translation: "he will take you out the land of the living" or "He will kill you so that you will no longer be on earth with living people"
This may be a musical term that tells people how to sing or play their instruments here. Some translations write the Hebrew word, and some translations do not include it.
"The righteous will also see God remove him and they will fear"
"Look" or "Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
Here "refuge" represents a protector. Alternate translation: "did not make God his protector" or "did not ask God to protect him"
Green olive trees are strong and secure. They do not fall over.
Being safe and secure is spoken of as being like a strong tree. Alternate translation: "I am strong in God's house, like a green olive tree" or "Because I worship in God's house, I am secure like a green olive tree"
This refers to God's temple.
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "I will trust in God forever and ever because he is faithful to his covenant"
God's name represents God himself. Waiting for God represents waiting for God to help him. Alternate translation: "I will wait for you, because you are good" or "I will wait for you to help me, because you are good"
1 A fool says in his heart,
"There is no God."
They are corrupt and have done abominable iniquity;
there is no one who does good.
2 God looks down from heaven
on the children of mankind
to see if there are any who understand,
who seek after him.
3 They have all turned away. Together they have become corrupt.
There is not one who does good,
not even one.
4 Do those who behave wickedly have no understanding—
those who devour my people as if they were eating bread
and they do not call on God?
5 There they are, in great fear,
where there was nothing to cause them to be afraid;
for God will scatter the bones of those who encamp against you;
you put them to shame,
for God has rejected them.
6 Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come from Zion!
When God brings back his people from the captivity,
then Jacob will rejoice and Israel will be glad!
Psalm 53 is a wisdom psalm. It warns people who do evil that God will judge them. (See: wise and evil and judge)
God looks down from heaven and sees that all humans are evil and corrupt. (See: heaven)
This psalm is called "a Maschil of David." The word "Maschil" in the original language has caused scholars to have various opinions about its meaning. Some say it means to instruct, while others say that the word is referring to the skill used in creating the psalm. Still others think it means that meditation should be used in reading this psalm.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
This may refer to a style of music.
This may refer to a style of music. See how you translated this in Psalms 32:1.
This refers to all people.
Seeking God as a person would look for someone is spoken of as "seeking" God. Possible meanings are 1) wanting to know God. Alternate translation: "who want to know him" or 2) worshiping God. Alternate translation: "who worship him"
Rejecting God and what is right is spoken of as turning away. Alternate translation: "They have all turned away from doing what is right" or "They have all rejected God"
This question is used to show the shock that the writer feels because the people are so sinful. It can be written as two statements. "Those who behave wickedly act as though they do not know anything. They devour my people as if they were eating bread, and they do not call on God!"
Destroying people is spoken of as devouring them. Doing it as if they were eating bread implies that they did it very easily or without feeling guilty about it. Alternate translation: "those who destroy my people as freely as if they were eating bread"
Scattering people's bones represents killing them and allowing their bones to remain wherever they have died and not be buried properly. The phrase "encamp against" is a metaphor that describes someone preparing to attack the reader as if he were an army getting ready to attack a city. Alternate translation: "God will completely destroy everyone who attacks you, and their bones will lie scattered on the ground"
The word "Oh" here introduces an exclamation that expresses a hope or prayer. Alternate translation: "I hope that the salvation of Israel will come" or "I pray that the salvation of will come"
The salvation represents God, the savior, whose temple is in Zion. Alternate translation: "the savior of Israel would come from Zion" or "God would come from Zion and save Israel"
"When God saves his captive people"
These two phrases have the same meaning.
Here "Jacob" refers to the descendants of Jacob, the Israelites.
1 Save me, God, by your name,
and judge me in your might.
2 Hear my prayer, God;
give ear to the words of my mouth.
3 For strangers have risen up against me,
and ruthless men have sought after my life;
they have not set God before them. Selah
4 See, God is my helper;
the Lord is the one who upholds me.
5 He will repay my enemies with evil;
in your faithfulness, destroy them!
6 I will sacrifice to you with a freewill offering;
I will give thanks to your name, Yahweh, for it is good.
7 For he has rescued me from every trouble;
my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.
Psalm 54 is a deliverance psalm. (See: deliverer)
Evil people want to kill David; but God has rescued him in the past and he trusts God to rescue him again. (See: evil and trust)
This psalm is called "a Maschil of David." The word "Maschil" in the original language has caused scholars to have various opinions about its meaning. Some say it means to instruct, while others say that the word is referring to the skill used in creating the psalm. Still others think it means that meditation should be used in reading this psalm.
This psalm is a prayer for help. Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
"people should play stringed instruments with this song"
This may refer to a style of music. See how you translated this in Psalms 32:1
people from the city of Ziph in the Judean mountains, southeast of Hebron.
Here God's name represents his character. It may represent specifically his power or his justice. Alternate translation: "Save me, God, by your power"
Judging David here represents showing people that David is not guilty. When God uses his might to save David, people will know that God has judged him as not guilty. Alternate translation: "In your might, show people that I am not guilty" or "Show people that I am not guilty by using your power to rescue me"
Giving one's ear represents listening. Alternate translation: "listen to the words"
Here the speaker is represented by his mouth. Alternate translation: "my words" or "what I am saying to you"
Rising up against someone represents preparing to attack him or actually attacking him. Alternate translation: "have prepared to attack me" or "are attacking me"
"men who have no mercy"
Seeking after someone's life represents trying to kill him. Alternate translation: "have tried to kill me" or "want to kill me"
Setting God before them represents paying attention to God. Alternate translation: "they do not pay attention to God" or "they ignore God"
Defending David and keeping him safe is spoken of as upholding or supporting him. Alternate translation: "who defends me" or "who keeps me safe"
Punishment is spoken as if it were payment. Alternate translation: "He will do the evil to my enemies that they have done to me" or "He will cause the evil that my enemies have done to me to be done to them"
Here David changes from talking about God to talking to God. Alternate translation: "God, destroy them because you are faithful to me"
Yahweh's name represents him. Alternate translation: "I will give thanks to you, Yahweh, for you are good"
The eye represents the person. Alternate translation: "I have looked"
Possible meanings are 1) seeing that his enemies have been defeated. Alternate translation: "I have seen that my enemies have been defeated" or 2) defeating his enemies. Alternate translation: "I have defeated my enemies"
1 Give ear to my prayer, God;
and do not hide yourself from my plea.
2 Pay attention to me and answer me;
I am restless in my troubles
3 because of the voice of my enemies,
because of the oppression of the wicked;
for they bring trouble on me,
they are hostile to me with wickedness and anger.
4 My heart trembles within me,
and the terrors of death have fallen on me.
5 Fear and trembling have come on me,
and horror has overwhelmed me.
6 I said, "Oh, if only I had wings like a dove!
Then would I fly away and be at rest.
7 See, then I would wander far away;
I would stay in the wilderness. Selah
8 I would hurry to a shelter
from the stormy wind and tempest."
9 Destroy, Lord, and divide their tongue;
for I see violence and strife in the city.
10 Day and night they go about on its walls;
wickedness and trouble are in the middle of it.
11 Wickedness is in the middle of it;
oppression and deceit do not leave its streets.
12 For it was not an enemy who rebuked me,
then I could have borne it;
neither was it he who hated me who raised himself up against me,
then I would have hidden myself from him.
13 But it was you, a man equal to myself,
my companion and my close friend.
14 We had sweet fellowship together;
we walked in the house of God with the throng.
15 Let death come deceitfully on them;
let them go down alive to Sheol,
for wickedness is where they live, right among them.
16 As for me, I will call on God,
and Yahweh will save me.
17 In the evening, morning, and at noonday I complain and moan;
he will hear my voice.
18 He will safely rescue my life from the battle that was against me,
for those who fought against me were many.
19 God, the one who rules from eternity,
will hear them and humiliate them. Selah
They never change,
and they do not fear God.
20 My friend has raised his hands against those who were at peace with him;
he has not respected the covenant that he had.
21 His mouth was smooth as butter,
but his heart was hostile;
his words were softer than oil,
yet they were actually drawn swords.
22 Place your burdens on Yahweh,
and he will sustain you;
he will never allow a righteous person to totter.
23 But you, God, will bring the wicked down into the pit of destruction;
men of bloodshed and deceit will not live even half as long as others,
but I will trust in you.
Psalm 55 is a deliverance psalm. The psalmist is praying that God will deliver him from his enemies. (See: deliverer)
The author wishes he could get far away from his enemies after his best friend betrayed him. He asks God to completely destroy his enemies. He is trusting God to save him. (See: trust and save)
This psalm is called "a Maschil of David." The word "Maschil" in the original language has caused scholars to have various opinions about its meaning. Some say it means to instruct, while others say that the word is referring to the skill used in creating the psalm. Still others think it means that meditation should be used in reading this psalm.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
"people should play stringed instruments with this song"
This may refer to a style of music. See how you translated this in Psalms 32:1
Giving one's ear represents listening. Alternate translation: "Listen to my prayer"
Refusing to pay attention to his plea is spoken of as hiding himself from it. Alternate translation: "do not ignore my plea"
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Here "voice" represents what they say. Alternate translation: "because of what my enemies say"
Causing trouble is spoken of as bringing trouble. Alternate translation: "they cause me to have great troubles" or "they do wicked things to me and so I suffer"
Here, "heart trembles" refers to his emotional pain and suffering. This suffering is because of fear. Alternate translation: "I am suffering because I am so afraid"
Becoming very afraid, or terrified, is spoken of as if terror is a thing that falls on a person. Alternate translation: "I am very much afraid that I will die" or "I am terrified that I will die"
Becoming fearful and trembling is spoken of as if fear and trembling are people who can attack a person. Alternate translation: "I have become very fearful and I tremble"
Feeling horror is spoken of as if horror were a thing that can cover people. Alternate translation: "I feel terrible horror" or "I am extremely afraid"
This exclamation expresses something the writer wishes for very much. Alternate translation: "I wish very much that I had wings like a dove"
"If I did have wings, I would fly away"
"I would do that and more: I would wander"
The writer finishes telling about what he had said.
a strong storm
Possible meanings are "Destroy my enemies, Lord" or "Destroy my enemies."
The word "tongue" here represents what the people were saying to each other, and probably refers specifically to them talking about plans to do evil. To "divide" it is to make the people unable to understand each other. Alternate translation: "confuse them when they speak to each other" or "confuse their plans"
"violence and strife go about on her walls"
"along the tops of the city walls." Cities had thick walls around them to protect them from enemies. People could walk along the tops of the walls to see if any enemies were coming to the city.
Wickedness and trouble are spoken of as if they were people. This can be expressed by telling about the people who do wickedness and trouble. Alternate translation: "people do wickedness and cause trouble in the middle of the city" or "people do sinful things and cause trouble in it"
Wickedness is spoken of as if it were a person. This can be expressed by telling about the people who do wicked things. Alternate translation: "People do wicked things in the middle of the city" or "people destroy things in the city"
Oppression and deceit are spoken of as if they were people. This can be expressed by telling about the people who oppress and deceive others. Alternate translation: "People oppress and deceive others in the city streets, and they do not leave" or "People are always oppressing and deceiving others in the city streets"
This may refer to the marketplaces in the city.
Tolerating or enduring a rebuke is spoken of as bearing or carrying it. Alternate translation: "I could have tolerated the rebuke" or "I would not be so sad about the rebuke"
Being proud of oneself and insulting another is spoken of as raising oneself up against another. Alternate translation: "insulted me" or "despised me"
The psalmist speaks as though the person who had rebuked and taunted him were there listening to him.
This can be divided and a new sentence begun. Alternate translation: "myself. You were my companion and my close friend"
The word "we" refers to the psalmist and his friend.
Possible meanings are 1) "together" or 2) "with the crowd."
Death is spoken of as if it were a person who could deceive and kill others. Alternate translation: "Let my enemies die suddenly"
Dying suddenly is spoken of as if people were to go to Sheol so fast that they do not even die first. Alternate translation: "let them suddenly go to Sheol"
Wickedness is spoken of as if it were a thing that could be in a certain place. The habitual wickedness of his enemies is spoken of as if wickedness were with them or near them. Alternate translation: "they always do wicked things where they live"
This phrase intensifies the idea of wickedness being very near them. Here wickedness is spoken of as being not only in their homes, but right where they are. Alternate translation: "They always do wicked things wherever they are" or "wherever they are"
This phrase shows that the writer has stopped talking about one thing and is now about to talk about himself. Alternate translation: "But I"
the sound people and animals make when they are in pain
Here "voice" represents either 1) the psalmist or 2) the psalmist's complaints and moans. Alternate translation: "he will hear me" or "he will hear my moaning"
Here "my life" represents the psalmist. Alternate translation: "me"
"for many people fought against me"
"will hear my enemies" or "will hear what my enemies say." Some versions say "will hear me."
How God will humiliate them can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "will defeat and humiliate them"
Raising the hand against people represents attacking them. This may be a metaphor for saying things that put people in danger or cause them trouble. Alternate translation: "has attacked those" or "has betrayed those"
Someone's "mouth" represents what he says. Alternate translation: "What my friend said"
Speech that is pleasant or nice to hear is spoken of as if it were smooth and easy to swallow. Alternate translation: "What he said was pleasant like smooth butter" or "He said nice things"
"was mean" or "was hateful"
"what he said"
People put oil on their skin to make it feel nice, and they put it on wounds to help them heal. Speech that is kind or helpful is spoken of as if it were soft or soothing. Alternate translation: "what he said was kind and soothing like oil" or "he said kind things"
Speech that causes people trouble is spoken of as if it were swords that wound people. Alternate translation: "what he said wounded people as drawn swords do" or "what he said caused people trouble"
The word "drawn" here means that the swords were pulled out of their covers and ready to be used.
Here the psalmist is speaking to other godly people.
Here troubles are spoken of as if they were burdens that people have to carry. Trusting God to help us when we have troubles is spoken of as putting our burdens on him so that he can carry them for us. Alternate translation: "Give Yahweh your problems" or "Trust God to help you with all your troubles like someone who trusts a stronger person to carry his load"
Taking care of someone or helping someone when he has troubles is spoken of as supporting him. Alternate translation: "he will take care of you" or "he will help you"
A person who is about to be severely harmed by some sort of disaster is spoken of as if he is tottering or swaying and is about to fall down. Alternate translation: "he will not let a righteous person sway and fall down" or "he will not let a righteous person to be destroyed"
The author speaks to God now.
This probably refers to the grave or hell.
This represents causing people to die. Alternate translation: "will cause the wicked to die" or "will cause wicked people to die and go to the place where dead people are"
"people who lie and who want to kill others" or "deceitful murderers"
"even half as long as other people live"
1 Be merciful to me, God,
for men are attacking me!
All the day long those who fight me oppress me.
2 My enemies trample me all day long;
for there are many who arrogantly fight against me.
3 When I am afraid,
I will put my trust in you.
4 In God, whose word I praise—
in God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid;
what can mere man do to me?
5 All the day long they twist my words;
all their thoughts are against me for evil.
6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves,
and they mark my steps,
just as they have waited for my life.
7 Do not let them escape doing iniquity.
Bring down the peoples in your anger, God.
8 You number my wanderings
and put my tears into your bottle;
are they not in your book?
9 Then my enemies will turn back on the day that I call to you;
this I know, that God is for me.
10 In God—whose word I praise,
in Yahweh—whose word I praise,
11 in God I trust,
I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?
12 The duty to fulfill my vows to you is on me, God;
I will give thank offerings to you.
13 For you have rescued my life from death;
you have kept my feet from stumbling,
so that I may walk before God
in the light of the living.
Psalm 56 is a psalm of deliverance. (See: deliverer)
Although the psalmist's enemies are trying to harm him, he is not afraid because God is protecting him.
The word "Michtam" is used in the superscription for this psalm. There is much discussion about this word but, in the end, no one is certain what it means. It is easiest to transliterate this word into your language, or you can simply translate it as "psalm."
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship;"
This probably tells what musical style or tune to use when singing this psalm. Alternate translation: "Sing this psalm using the tune of 'Jonath elem rehokim'" or "Sing this using the Jonath elem rehokim style"
This may mean "Dove on Distant Oak Trees." Translators may either write the meaning or copy the Hebrew words.
Possible meanings are 1) David wrote the psalm or 2) the psalm is about David or 3) the psalm is in the style of David's psalms.
The meaning of the word "michtam" is uncertain. You may use the word "psalm" instead. This can be written as: "This is a psalm that David wrote." See how you translated this in Psalms 16:1.
"come closer and closer in order to attack me"
The enemies' fierce attack is spoken of as if they were crushing his body by marching on it. Alternate translation: "My enemies attack me severely"
The word "you" refers to God.
Here a question is used to show that the psalmist is not afraid of people, because they cannot seriously harm him. This rhetorical question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "mere man can do nothing to me!" or "mere man cannot harm me badly!"
"just humans" or "people." This implies that people are not powerful, but God is powerful.
"All the time"
Repeating what someone says but changing it a little so that it means something different is spoken of as twisting their words. Alternate translation: "they say that I said things than I did not say" or "they claim that I said things, but they lie"
"they always have evil thoughts against me" or "they always think of evil things to do to me"
Watching what a person does in order to see how to cause him trouble is spoken of as watching his steps, just as someone who wants to capture a person watches where that person walks. Alternate translation: "they watch everything I do"
Waiting to kill someone is spoken of as waiting for his life. Alternate translation: "as they wait to kill me"
What they might escape can be sued clearly. Alternate translation: "Do not let them escape your punishment for their iniquity" or "Do not let them escape when you punish them for the wicked things they do"
Defeating the enemies is spoken of as bringing them down. Alternate translation: "Defeat the peoples"
God's concern for the psalmist is spoken of as if God counted each time that the psalmist has walked in sadness and with no place to go for comfort. Alternate translation: "You care about all the times that I have been wandering alone"
God's concern for the psalmist is spoken of as if God saved the psalmist's tears in a bottle. The tears represent crying. Alternate translation: "you know how much I have cried and you care about me"
God's concern for the psalmist is spoken of as if he wrote the number of the psalmist's tears in his book. This question is used to remind God about how greatly he cares for the psalmist. Alternate translation: "you have written about them in your book!" or "you remember my cries!"
"will retreat" or "will turn and run away"
This means that God favors him. In this context it implies that God fights against the psalmist's enemies in order to protect him. Alternate translation: "God is fighting for me"
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Here a question is used to show that the psalmist is not afraid of people, because they cannot seriously harm him. This rhetorical question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "People can do nothing to me!" or "People cannot harm me badly!"
Being obligated to do something is spoken of as if the duty to do something is on a person. Alternate translation: "I must fulfill my vows to you" or "I must do what I promised you I would do"
The feet here represent the person. Stumbling here probably represents being killed by his enemies. Alternate translation: "you have kept me from stumbling" or "you have kept me from being killed by my enemies"
Living and being seen by God is spoken of as walking before God. Alternate translation: "so that I may live in God's presence"
Here "the light of the living" probably represents God's enabling people to live. Alternate translation: "with the life that you give" or "because you enable me to live"
1 Be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me,
for I take refuge in you until these troubles are over.
I stay under your wings for protection
until this destruction is over.
2 I will cry to God Most High,
to God, who does all things for me.
3 He will send help from heaven and save me,
he rebukes those who hotly pursue me. Selah
God will send me his steadfast love and his faithfulness.
4 My life is among lions;
I am among those who are ready to devour me.
I am among people whose teeth are spears and arrows,
and whose tongues are sharp swords.
5 Be exalted, God, above the heavens;
let your glory be above all the earth.
6 They spread out a net for my feet;
I was bowed down.
They dug a pit in front of me.
They themselves have fallen into the middle of it! Selah
7 My heart is fixed, God, my heart is fixed;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises.
8 Wake up, my glory!
Wake up, lute and harp!
I will wake up the dawn!
9 I will give thanks to you, Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
10 For great is your unfailing love, reaching to the heavens;
and your faithfulness to the clouds.
11 Be exalted, God, above the heavens;
may your glory be exalted over all the earth.
Psalm 57 is a psalm of deliverance. It praises God for the many times he has delivered David. (See: deliverer)
Since God is protecting the psalmist, he has nothing to fear from his enemies.
The word "Michtam" is used in the superscription for this psalm. There is much discussion about this word but, in the end, no one is certain what it means. It is easiest to transliterate this word into your language, or you can simply translate it as "psalm."
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
This probably tells what musical style or tune to use when singing the psalm. Alternate translation: "sing this psalm using the tune of 'Al Tashheth'" or "sing this using the Al Tashheth style"
This means "Do Not Destroy." Translators may either write the meaning or copy the Hebrew words.
Possible meanings are 1) David wrote the psalm or 2) the psalm is about David or 3) the psalm is in the style of David's psalms.
The meaning of the word "michtam" is uncertain. You may use the word "psalm" instead. This can be written as: "This is a psalm that David wrote." See how you translated this in Psalms 16:1.
Going to Yahweh for protection is spoken of as taking refuge in him. Alternate translation: "I go to you for protection"
The psalmist speaks of God as if he were a mother bird that protects its babies by huddling them under its wings. Alternate translation: "I trust you to protect me"
The abstract noun "destruction" can be stated as "destructive." Alternate translation: "until this destructive storm is over"
This explains why he will cry out to God. It can be translated with "because." Alternate translation: "because he does all things for me"
The enemies' had hotly pursued David, and their pursuit is spoken of as if they were crushing his body by marching on it. Alternate translation: "those who attack me severely"
God's being loving and faithful is spoken of as if he were sending his love and faithfulness. The abstract nouns "love" and "faithfulness" can be stated as "loving" and "trustworthy." Alternate translation: "God will be loving to me and trustworthy"
The psalmist speaks of his enemies as if they were lions. Alternate translation: "I live among fierce enemies" or "Fierce enemies surround me like lions"
Destroying is spoken of as devouring or eating something up. Some versions understand the Hebrew text to mean "fiery beasts." Both images speak of his enemies as if they were wild beasts. Alternate translation: "those who are ready to destroy me"
The enemies' spears and arrows are spoken of as if they were lions' teeth. The psalmist continues to speak of his enemies as if they were lions. Alternate translation: "people who kill others with spears and arrows as lions kill with their sharp teeth"
Since both of these terms are weapons, if your culture knows only one, it is acceptable to use it alone.
The tongue represents what someone says, and the enemies' cruel words are spoken of as if they were swords. Alternate translation: "whose cruel words are like sharp swords" or "who cause terrible trouble for me by what they say"
The psalmist is asking God to show that he is exalted. Being exalted above the heavens represents being great. Alternate translation: "God, show that you are exalted above the heavens" or "God, show that you are great in the heavens"
The psalmist is asking God to show his glory. Alternate translation: "show your glory over all the earth"
His enemies' plans to capture him are spoken of as if they had spread out a net on the ground to trap him. Alternate translation: "It is as though my enemies have spread a net out to trap me" or "They planned to capture me like people who spread out a net to trap an animal"
His enemies' plans to capture him are spoken of as if they had dug a pit for him to fall into. Alternate translation: "It is as though they dug a pit for me to fall into" or "They planned to capture me like people who dig a hole in the ground to trap an animal"
The harm that came to his enemies when they tried to capture him is spoken of as if they fell into the trap that they had made for him. Alternate translation: "They themselves fell into the pit they had dug for me" or "But they themselves were hurt by what they planned to do to me"
Being confident is spoken of as one's heart being firm rather than shaken or easily moved. The phrase is repeated to show that he has complete confidence in God and will not change. Alternate translation: "I am completely confident in you, God"
Who he will sing to can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "I will sing praises to you, God"
It can be stated clearly that the purpose of waking up is to sing praises to God. Waking up may be a metaphor for starting or preparing to do something. The heart represents the psalmist or his emotions. Alternate translation: "Wake up, my honored heart, to sing praises to God" or "I will prepare my honored heart to sing praises to God" or "I am honored to wake up and sing praises to God"
It can be stated clearly that the purpose of waking up is to sing praises to God. The psalmist speaks as though the lute and harp were people who could wake up to sing praises to God. Alternate translation: "Wake up, lute and harp, and sing praises to God" or "I will play the lute and harp while I sing praises to God"
The dawn is spoken of as if it were alive, and getting up before dawn happens is spoken of as waking it up. The purpose of getting up before dawn is to praise God. Alternate translation: "I will get up before dawn" or "I will get up before the sun rises"
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These two phrases are very similar in meaning. The greatness of God's unfailing love and the greatness of his faithfulness are spoken of as if they could be measured in distance.
The greatness of God's unfailing love is spoken of as if it could be measured in distance. Alternate translation: "Your unfailing love is as great as the distance from the earth to the heavens"
The words "great is your" and "reaching" are understood from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: "great is your faithfulness, reaching to the clouds" or "your faithfulness is as great as the distance from the earth to the clouds"
The psalmist is asking God to show that he is exalted. Being exalted above the heavens represents being great. Alternate translation: "God, show that you are exalted above the heavens" or "God, show that you are great in the heavens"
The psalmist is asking God to show his glory. Alternate translation: "show your glory over all the earth"
1 Do you rulers speak righteousness?
Do you judge uprightly, you people?
2 No, you commit wickedness in your heart;
you distribute violence throughout the land with your hands.
3 The wicked go astray even when they are in the womb;
they go astray from birth, speaking lies.
4 Their poison is like a snake's poison;
they are like a deaf asp that stops up its ears,
5 that pays no attention to the voice of charmers,
no matter how skillful they are.
6 Shatter their teeth in their mouths, God;
break out the great teeth of the young lions, Yahweh.
7 Let them melt away as water that runs off;
when they shoot their arrows, let them be as though they had no points.
8 Let them be like a snail that melts and passes away,
like the untimely born child of a woman that never sees the sunlight.
9 Before your pots can feel the thorn's burning heat,
he will take them away with a whirlwind,
the green thorns and the burning thorns alike.
10 The righteous will rejoice when he sees God's vengeance;
he will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked,
11 so that men will say,
"Truly, there is a reward for the righteous person;
truly there is a God who judges the earth."
Psalm 58 is a deliverance psalm. It asks God for deliverance from the unjust rulers. (See: deliverer and justice)
Although the leaders are very evil and unfair, God can deliver his people from their oppression. (See: evil and oppress)
The word "Michtam" is used in the superscription for this psalm. There is much discussion about this word but, in the end, no one is certain what it means. It is easiest to transliterate this word into your language, or you can simply translate it as "psalm."
This psalm is a song about wicked people. Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
This probably tells what musical style or tune to use when singing the psalm. See how you translated this in Psalms 57:1.
Possible meanings are 1) David wrote the psalm or 2) the psalm is about David or 3) the psalm is in the style of David's psalms.
The author uses this question to rebuke the rulers because they do not speak righteously. Alternate translation: "You rulers do not say what is right!"
The author uses this question to rebuke the judges who do not judge uprightly. Alternate translation: "You people never judge people uprightly!"
The words "you" and "your" refer to the mighty men who are judges
The author answers the two questions he had just asked.
The heart refers to the people's thoughts or plans. Alternate translation: "you commit wickedness in your thoughts" or "you think about doing wicked things"
Doing violence in various places throughout the land is spoken of as distributing or spreading the violence throughout the land, as if violence were some kind of stuff or things. Alternate translation: "you yourselves do violent deeds everywhere in the land"
This is the same idea expressed in two different ways.
Doing wrong things is spoken of as if people are walking on a road, and they turn off and go the wrong way. Alternate translation: "they do wrong things"
The wicked things people say are spoken of as if they were poison. Alternate translation: "Their wicked words cause trouble as a snake's poison harms people"
Wicked people who do not listen to advice or rebukes are spoken of as if they were snakes that do not respond to a charmer's music. Alternate translation: "they refuse to listen like a deaf asp that stops up its ears"
An asp that does not respond to a charmer's music is spoken of as as if it could put something in its ears so that it will not hear. Alternate translation: "an asp that does not listen"
a kind of poisonous snake
people who play or sing music in order to control snakes
What the snake charmers were skillful at can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "no matter how skillful the charmers are at controlling snakes"
The author lists things that he would like God to do to wicked people.
In both of these phrases, the wicked people are spoken of as if they were lions, and making them powerless to kill people is spoken of as breaking their teeth. Alternate translation: "Take away their power to kill. Make them powerless like young lions whose teeth have been broken and fallen out"
The wicked people are spoken of as if they were ice or water. No longer existing is spoken of as melting or draining away into the dry ground. Alternate translation: "Make them disappear like water that runs off" or "Make them vanish like ice that melts and drains into the ground"
"let their arrows be as though they had no points"
No longer existing is spoken of as melting and disappearing. Alternate translation: "Let the wicked vanish like a snail that melts and no longer exists"
small animal that the Israelites considered unclean and that looks like it is melting as it moves by sliding over slime it has produced
Not existing is spoken of as being like a baby that is born dead. Alternate translation: "like a baby who is born too early too live and see the sunlight" or "like a baby that was born dead"
The wicked are spoken of as if they were thornbush branches, and God's swift punishment of them is spoken of as if he were to quickly blow them away or sweep them away. Alternate translation: "God will destroy wicked people faster than a whirlwind can blow away thornbush branches that have been put under a cooking pot and lit with fire"
David is speaking to God's people, so this is plural.
"the heat from the burning thorn branches ... the green thorn branches and the burning thorn branches"
The phrase "the righteous" refers to righteous people in general. Alternate translation: "Righteous people will rejoice when they see"
Getting one's feet wet by walking on blood is spoken of as washing the feet in blood. Alternate translation: "the righteous will make their feet wet in the blood of the wicked" or "the righteous will march on the blood of the wicked"
This exaggeration expresses that a great number of wicked people will die. Alternate translation: "so many wicked people will die that when the righteous march on their blood, it will seem as if they could wash their feet in it"
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1 Rescue me from my enemies, my God;
set me on high away from those who rise up against me.
2 Keep me safe from those who behave wickedly,
and save me from men of bloodshed.
3 For, see, they wait in ambush to take my life.
The powerful men gather themselves together against me,
but not because of my transgression or my sin, Yahweh.
4 For no guilt of mine they prepare to run at me;
awake and help me and see.
5 You, Yahweh God of hosts,
the God of Israel,
arise and punish all the nations;
do not be merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah
6 They return at evening, they howl like dogs
and go around the city.
7 See, they belch out with their mouths;
swords are in their lips,
for they say, "Who hears us?"
8 But you, Yahweh, laugh at them;
you mock at all the nations.
9 God, my strength, I will pay attention to you;
you are my high tower.
10 My God will meet me with his covenant faithfulness;
God will let me see my desire on my enemies.
11 Do not kill them,
or my people will forget.
Scatter them by your power and make them fall,
Lord our shield.
12 For the sins of their mouths and the words of their lips,
let them be captured in their pride,
and for the curses and lies that they express.
13 Consume them in wrath,
consume them so that they will be no more;
let them know that God rules in Jacob
and to the ends of the earth. Selah
14 At evening they return,
howling like dogs going around the city.
15 They wander about looking for food
and they growl like a dog if they are not satisfied.
16 But I will sing about your strength,
and in the morning I will praise your steadfast love!
For you have been my high tower
and a refuge in the day of my distress.
17 To you, my strength, I will sing praises;
for God is my high tower, the God of covenant faithfulness.
Psalm 59 is a deliverance psalm. (See: deliverer)
The author prays for God to defeat his enemies. God is his protector. Therefore, he will praise God.
The word "Michtam" is used in the superscription for this psalm. There is much discussion about this word but, in the end, no one is certain what it means. It is easiest to transliterate this word into your language, or you can simply translate it as "psalm."
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
This probably tells what musical style or tune to use when singing the psalm. See how you translated this in Psalms 57:1.
Possible meanings are 1) David wrote the psalm or 2) the psalm is about David or 3) the psalm is in the style of David's psalms.
The meaning of the word "michtam" is uncertain. You may use the word "psalm" instead. This can be written as: "This is a psalm that David wrote." See how you translated this in Psalms 16:1.
A high place represents a safe place where his enemies cannot reach him. Alternate translation: "put me in a safe place"
Rising up against someone represents attacking him. Alternate translation: "attack me"
"people who like to kill other people" or "murderers"
The writer has transgressed and sinned, but not against those who "prepare to run" at him.
David's enemies are in hiding and are waiting quietly for the time when they can attack him.
The writer has sinned, but not against those who "prepare to run" at him.
Deciding to do something and beginning to do it is spoken of as waking up. Alternate translation: "do something" or "take action"
What he wants God to see can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "and see what is happening to me" or "and see what they are doing to me"
Deciding to do something and beginning to do it is spoken of as getting up. Alternate translation: "do something" or "take action"
The word "nations" here represents the people of the nations that do not honor God. Alternate translation: "the people of all the nations"
The word "they" refers to the wicked transgressors.
The psalmist speaks of his enemies threatening to attack people as if they were dogs howling, growling, or barking at people. Alternate translation: "they threaten to attack people"
Why they go around the city can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "go around the city to attack anyone they find"
Here the word "See" is being used to draw attention to something. Alternate translation: "Hear"
Saying terrible things is spoken of as belching. These terrible things may have been insults or threats. Alternate translation: "they say terrible things" or "they shout out terrible words"
burp loudly; allow air from the stomach to come out of the mouth with a loud, rude noise
The cruel things that the wicked people were saying are spoken of as if they were swords. Alternate translation: "they say cruel things that cause people trouble as much as swords destroy people"
This question is used to show that they believed that God would not hear and punish them. Alternate translation: "No one can hear us!" or "Your God does not hear us!"
"laugh at them scornfully" or "mock them." God would laugh at them because they are worthless and powerless.
God's being the psalmist's strength represents God protecting him. Alternate translation: "you are my strength" or "you are my protector"
A high tower is a place that people could go to for shelter from their enemies. The psalmist speaks of God protecting him as if God were a strong, safe shelter. Alternate translation: "you protect me like a high tower"
This phrase implies that God will come to him in order to save him. The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "My God, who is faithful to his covenant, will come to save me" or "My God will come to save me because he is faithful to his covenant"
The abstract noun "desire" can be expressed with the verb "want." Alternate translation: "what I want to happen to my enemies"
"Cause them to wander around"
God's protecting the righteous is spoken of as if God were a shield. Alternate translation: "our protector" or "the one who protects us like a shield"
The mouths and lips represent the things people say. Alternate translation: "Because they sin by what they say" or "Because of the sinful things they say"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "let people capture them because of their pride"
"that they say"
Destroying them completely is spoken of either as burning them up or eating them. Alternate translation: "Be angry with them and destroy them completely so there will be no more of them"
Jacob here refers to Israel. Alternate translation: "in Israel"
"to even the most distance places on earth." This represents all places on earth. Alternate translation: "everywhere on earth"
The psalmist speaks of his enemies threatening to attack people as if they were dogs howling, growling, or barking at people. Alternate translation: "threatening to attack us" or "threatening to attack us like wild dogs"
content, having everything they want
High towers and refuges are places that people can go to for shelter from their enemies. The psalmist speaks of God protecting him as if God were a strong, safe shelter. Alternate translation: "you have protected me like a high tower and a refuge"
"whenever I have had troubles"
"To you, my strength" can be combined as one clause. Alternate translation: "You are my strength, so I will sing praises to you"
God's being the psalmist's strength represents God protecting him. Alternate translation: "my protector"
High towers are places that people can go to for shelter from their enemies. The psalmist speaks of God protecting him as if God were a strong, safe shelter. Alternate translation: "you have protected me like a high tower"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. This can be expressed in a separate sentence. Alternate translation: "He is the God who is faithful to his covenant"
1 God, you have rejected us; you have broken through our defenses;
you have been angry; restore us again.
2 You have made the land tremble; you have torn it apart;
heal its cracks, for it is shaking.
3 You have made your people see difficult things;
you have made us drink the wine of staggering.
4 For those who honor you,
you have set up a banner
to be displayed against those who carry the bow. Selah
5 So that those you love may be rescued,
rescue us with your right hand and answer me.
6 God has spoken in his holiness, "I will rejoice;
I will divide Shechem
and apportion out the Valley of Sukkoth.
7 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine;
Ephraim also is my helmet;
Judah is my scepter.
8 Moab is my washbasin;
over Edom I will throw my sandal;
I will shout in triumph because of Philistia."
9 Who will bring me into the strong city?
Who will lead me to Edom?
10 But you, God, have you not rejected us?
You do not go into battle with our army.
11 Give us help against the enemy,
for man's help is futile.
12 We will triumph with God's help;
he will trample down our enemies.
Psalm 60 is a psalm of war.
God has preserved the land of Israel, and now he will give them victory over the countries of Moab and Edom.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
This probably tells what tune or musical style to use when singing the psalm. Alternate translation: "sing this psalm using the tune of 'Shushan Eduth'" or "sing this using the Shushan Eduth style"
This means "Lily of the Promise." Translators may either write the meaning or copy the Hebrew words.
The meaning of the word "michtam" is uncertain. You may use the word "psalm" instead. This can be written as: "This is a psalm that David wrote." See how you translated this in Psalms 16:1.
"Aram of the two rivers ... the Aramean nation of Zobah." These are places.
This refers to Joab and the army that he led. Alternate translation: "Joab and his army"
"12,000 Edomites"
God's allowing Israel's enemies to break through their defenses is spoken of as God himself had done it. Alternate translation: "you have allowed our enemies to break through our defenses"
The psalmist continues speaking to God.
The psalmist speaks of the disaster in his country as if it were an earthquake.
Making the people strong again is spoken of as repairing large cracks in the ground or walls.
Here "see" represents "experience" or "suffer."
Being helpless is spoken of as staggering around, barely able to stand upright. The abstract noun "staggering" can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: "the wine that makes us stagger"
God's guiding his people in battle is spoken of as if God were a human king or commander who had set up a banner for the army. Alternate translation: "you are like a king who sets up a banner" or "you command us in battle like a king who raises up a banner"
"battle flag." This is a flag that a king or commander would raise up on a pole to show that the army should gather.
This can be stated with an active clause. However some versions have different interpretations of this phrase. Alternate translation: "to display against those who carry the bow"
The phrase "those who carry the bow" refers to the enemy soldiers in battle. Alternate translation: "to display when he takes his army into battle against your enemies"
God's right hand represents his power. Alternate translation: "by your power"
Answering here represents responding to his request. Alternate translation: "respond to my request" or "answer my prayer"
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God speaks of the tribe of Ephraim as if it were his army. The helmet symbolizes equipment for war. Alternate translation: "Ephraim is like a helmet I have chosen" or "the tribe of Ephraim is my army"
a hard hat that soldiers wear to protect their heads from injury
God chose men from the tribe of Judah to be the kings of his people, and he speaks of that tribe as if it were his scepter. Alternate translation: "the tribe of Judah is like my scepter" or "Judah is the tribe through whom I rule my people"
God speaks of Moab being unimportant as if Moab were a washbasin or a lowly servant. Alternate translation: "Moab is like a bowl that I use for washing"
God was probably speaking of taking ownership of Edom as if he were symbolically throwing his sandal onto that land to show that he owns it. However some versions have other interpretations. Alternate translation: "I take ownership of the land of Edom" or "I throw my sandal onto the land of Edom to show that it is mine"
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The psalmist uses this question to express his sadness that it seems that God has rejected them. Alternate translation: "But God, it seems like you have rejected us." or "God, you seem to have abandoned us."
The psalmist speaks of God helping their army as if God were to go and fight with them. Alternate translation: "you do not help our army when we go into battle"
"is worthless"
"will defeat our enemies"
The psalmist speaks of God helping their army defeat their enemies as if God were to trample down the enemies. Alternate translation: "he will enable us to trample down our enemies" or "he will make us able to defeat our enemies"
1 Hear my cry, God;
attend to my prayer.
2 From the ends of the earth will I call to you when my heart is faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For you have been a refuge for me,
a strong tower from the enemy.
4 Let me live in your tabernacle forever!
Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings. Selah
5 For you, God, have heard my vows,
you have given me the inheritance of those who honor your name.
6 You will prolong the king's life;
his years will be like many generations.
7 He will reign before God forever;
appoint your steadfast love and faithfulness to protect him.
8 I will sing praise to your name forever
so that I may perform my vows every day. 2
Psalm 61 is a psalm of praise.
The author has vowed to praise God every day of his life because God has blessed him. (See: vow and bless)
This is a song about God's faithfulness. Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
"people should play a stringed instrument with this song"
These clauses have a similar meaning. Alternate translation: "God, listen to me and answer my prayer"
Here the writer speaks of God as if he were a high rock that he could climb for protection.
Being a refuge is a metaphor for keeping someone safe. Alternate translation: "You have been like a safe place for me"
People sometimes hid in a strong tower from their enemies. Being a strong tower is a metaphor for keeping someone safe from his enemy. Alternate translation: "You have been like a strong tower to keep me safe from the enemy" or "You have protected me from my enemy like a strong tower"
Going to Yahweh for protection is spoken of as taking refuge in him. Here there is a second metaphor that speaks of Yahweh's protection as if he was a hen protecting her baby chicks under her wings. Alternate translation: "go to you for protection as a chick is safe under the wings of its mother"
The writer speaks of God's blessings as if they were an inheritance that he has received. Alternate translation: "you have given to me the blessings"
Here "your name" means God himself. Alternate translation: "who honor you" or "who have an awesome respect for you"
These two clauses have similar meanings. The idea is repeated for emphasis.
"You will extend the king's life" or "You will cause the king's life to last a long time"
Here "years" refers to how long the king will live. Alternate translation: "he will live for many generations"
Here to "reign before God" means that God will approve of what the king does and bless him for ruling with justice. Some versions translate this as the speaker's desire: "I desire that the king reign before God forever"
The abstract nouns "love" and "faithfulness" are spoken of as if they were guards that would protect the king. Alternate translation: "always protect him because you love him and are faithful"
Here "name" stands for God himself. Alternate translation: "I will always sing praise to you"
These refer to the promise to offer sacrifices to God every day.
1 I wait in silence for God alone;
my salvation comes from him.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my high tower;
I will not be greatly moved.
3 How long, all of you, will you attack a man,
that you may murder him,
like a leaning wall or a shaky fence?
4 They consult with him
only to bring him down from his honorable position;
they love to tell lies;
they bless him with their mouths,
but in their hearts they curse him. Selah
5 I wait in silence for God alone;
for my hope is set on him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my high tower; I will not be moved.
7 With God is my salvation and my glory;
the rock of my strength and my refuge are in God.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah
9 Surely men of low standing are vanity,
and men of high standing are a lie;
they will weigh lightly in the scales;
weighed together, they are lighter than nothing.
10 Do not trust in oppression or robbery;
and do not hope uselessly in riches,
for they will bear no fruit;
do not fix your heart on them.
11 God has spoken once,
twice have I heard this:
power belongs to God.
12 Also to you, Lord, belongs covenant faithfulness,
for you pay back every person for what he has done.
Psalm 62 is a psalm of deliverance. It expresses trust that God will save the psalmist from his enemies. (See: deliverer and trust and save)
Although the psalmist's enemies have attacked him when he was feeling weak, he trusts in God to deliver him. God is powerful and kind.
This psalm is a song about God's faithfulness. Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
One of David's chief musicians had this same name. This may refer to him. See how you translated this in [Psalms 39:1]
"he is the one who rescues me" or "he is the one who saves me"
The writer speaks of God's ability to protect him as if God were a rock. Alternate translation: "He is the only one who can protect and rescue me"
The writer speaks of God's ability to protect him as if God were a high tower. Alternate translation: "he keeps me away from the grasp of my enemies"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "nothing can ever move me"
"my enemies" or "all my enemies"
David uses a rhetorical question to express his frustration. No answer is expected. Alternate translation: "It seems like my enemies will never stop attacking me. I feel that I am as weak against you as a leaning wall or a broken-down fence."
"attack me"
"They intend to" or "They plan to"
In these verses, David is referring to himself by "him."
This refers to their speech or their words.
This refers to their thoughts.
"for I place my hope in him"
The writer speaks of God as if he were a rock and a high tower. Both of these metaphors show how God provides protection from one's enemies. Here "salvation" means that God rescues the writer. See how you translated this in [Psalms 62:2]
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "nothing can move me"
The writer speaks of God as if he were a rock that keeps one safe from his enemies. He also speaks of God as if he were a shelter that provides protection. Alternate translation: "God always gives me strength and protection"
This refers to telling God your inner feelings as if you were pouring out a liquid. Alternate translation: "give your deepest concerns to God"
The word "us" refers to David and the people he is speaking to.
This refers to men of all levels of wealth and importance. The phrases "are vanity" and "are a lie" have the same meaning. One cannot confidently trust in anyone. Alternate translation: "you cannot place your trust in men, no matter how important they are"
If you put all of these kinds of men together on a scale, they would have no weight. This means that they have no real value to you.
These two words have basically the same meaning. You cannot trust in money that you get by taking it from other people.
The writer speaks of riches as if they were trees or vines that could bear fruit. Alternate translation: "for they will provide nothing good for you"
Here "fix your heart" is an idiom that means to desire something greatly. Alternate translation: "do not desire them"
This means that God has said this more than once.
God being characterized by power is spoken of as if power belonged to him. The abstract noun "power" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "God is powerful"
God being characterized by covenant faithfulness is spoken of as if covenant faithfulness belonged to him. The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "You, Lord, are also faithful to your covenant"
The writer speaks of God's rewards as if he were paying a wage for work.
1 God, you are my God!
I earnestly search for you,
my soul thirsts for you,
and my flesh longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.
2 So I have looked on you in the sanctuary,
to see your power and your glory.
3 Because your covenant faithfulness is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
4 So I will bless you while I live;
I will lift up my hands in your name.
5 It will be as if I ate a meal of marrow and fatness;
with joyful lips my mouth will praise you,
6 when I think about you on my bed
and meditate on you in the night watches.
7 For you have been my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I rejoice.
8 I cling to you;
your right hand supports me.
9 But those who seek to destroy my life
will go down into the lowest parts of the earth;
10 they will be given over to those whose hands use the sword,
and they will become food for the jackals.
11 But the king will rejoice in God;
everyone who swears by him will be proud of him,
but the mouth of those who speak lies will be stopped up.
Psalm 63 is a psalm of praise.
The author praises God for who he is and for having protected him.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
Possible meanings are 1) David wrote the psalm or 2) the psalm is about David or 3) the psalm is in the style of David's psalms.
sincerely
These two clauses have basically the same meaning and are used together to emphasize how greatly the writer desires to be with God. Alternate translation: "my whole being greatly desires to be with you"
"hot, dry desert"
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The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adverb and the abstract noun "life" can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: "I value you being faithful to your covenant more than I value living, so my lips"
Here "my lips" represents the whole person. Alternate translation: "I will praise you"
Here "in your name" means "to you." Alternate translation: "I will worship you and pray to you"
Here the writer speaks of knowing and worshiping God as being more satisfying than eating a good meal. Alternate translation: "I will be happier than a person who eats a meal of fat and choice food"
Here "with joyful lips my mouth" represents the whole person who will praise God joyfully. Alternate translation: "I will praise you joyfully"
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The writer speaks of God as if he were a bird protecting its young under his wings. Alternate translation: "I rejoice because you protect me"
"I need you" or "I depend on you"
Here, the right hand is used as a symbol of strength and power. Alternate translation: "you support me" or "you lift me up"
This means they will die and go to the place of the dead. This can be stated clearly in the translation. Alternate translation: "will die and descend into the place of the dead" or "will die and go down into the place of the dead"
Here "the sword" represents death in battle, and "those whose hands use the sword" refers to enemies who kill them in battle. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God will cause them to die in battle"
Here "they" refers to the corpses of those who die in battle. Alternate translation: "jackals will eat their dead bodies"
"jackals" here are a kind of long-legged wild dog. They feed on carrion, game, and fruit.
David is speaking about himself. This can be stated clearly in the translation. Alternate translation: "I, the king of Israel, will"
The word "him" refers to "God."
Here "the mouth" represents the whole person. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "but God will silence the liars" or "but God will silence those who lie"
1 Hear my voice, God, listen to my complaint;
preserve my life from fear of my enemies.
2 Hide me from the secret plotting of evildoers,
from the commotion of those who behave wickedly.
3 They have sharpened their tongues like swords;
they have aimed their arrows, bitter words,
4 so that they may shoot from secret places at someone who is innocent;
suddenly they shoot at him and fear nothing.
5 They encourage themselves in an evil plan;
they consult privately together in order to set traps;
they say, "Who will see us?"
6 They invent injustices;
"We have finished," they say, "a careful plan."
The inner thoughts and hearts of man are deep.
7 But God will shoot them;
suddenly they will be wounded with his arrows.
8 They will be made to stumble, since their own tongues are against them;
all who see them will wag their heads.
9 All people will fear
and will declare God's deeds.
They will wisely think about what he has done.
10 The righteous will be glad about Yahweh and will take refuge in him;
all the upright in heart will take pride in him.
Psalm 64 is a psalm of deliverance. (See: deliverer)
The author's enemies have plotted against him but God has saved him. (See: save)
This psalm is a prayer for help. Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
save
Here "Hide" represents protecting, and "the secret plotting of evildoers represents" represents the harm that evildoers secretly plan to do to David. Alternate translation: "Protect me from the harm that evil doers secretly plan to do to me"
The words "hide me" are understood from the previous phrase and can be repeated here. Alternate translation: "hide me from the commotion" or "protect me from the commotion"
Possible meanings are that "commotion" refers to 1) a noisy disturbance. Alternate translation: "the noisy disturbance that those who behave wickedly make" or 2) a crowd that makes a noisy disturbance. Alternate translation: "the noisy crowd of those who behave wickedly"
The writer speaks of his enemies' tongues as if they were as sharp as swords. Here "tongues" represents the harsh words that the enemies speak. Alternate translation: "The harsh things that they say hurt me like a sharp sword"
The writer speaks of his enemies' bitter words as if they were arrows being shot at him. Alternate translation: "bitter words which pierce me like arrows"
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The evildoers do not expect an answer to their question because they think no one will see them. Alternate translation: "No one will see what we are doing"
The writer speaks of man's "inner thoughts" and "hearts of man" as if they were a deep body of water that no one can explore all the way to the bottom.
Both of these phrases refer to man's private or inner thoughts.
The writer continues to speak of the "evildoers" of Psalms 64:1.
The writer speaks of God's punishment of the evildoers as if God were shooting arrows at them.
The writer speaks of God's causing the evildoers' plans to fail as if God were making them stumble in their paths. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God will make them stumble" or "God will cause their plans to fail"
Here "tongues" represents the words that they say. Alternate translation: "since the words that they say are against them"
"what God has done"
Going to Yahweh for protection is spoken of as taking refuge in him. Alternate translation: "go to him for protection"
Here "upright in heart" is an idiom that means godly or righteous. Alternate translation: "all the people who are godly will praise him"
1 For you, God in Zion, our praise waits;
our vows will be carried out to you.
2 You who hear prayer,
to you all flesh will come.
3 Iniquities prevail against us;
as for our transgressions, you will forgive them.
4 Blessed is the man whom you choose to bring near to you
so that he may live in your courts.
We will be satisfied with the goodness of your house,
your holy temple.
5 In righteousness you will answer us by doing awesome deeds,
God of our salvation;
you who are hope of all the ends of the earth
and of those who are far across the sea.
6 For it is you who made the mountains firm,
you who are girded with strength.
7 It is you who quiet the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
and the commotion of the peoples.
8 Those who live in the uttermost parts of the earth
are afraid of the evidence of your deeds;
you make the east and the west rejoice.
9 You come to help the earth; you water it;
you greatly enrich it;
the river of God is full of water;
you provide mankind grain when you have prepared the earth.
10 You water its furrows abundantly;
you settle down the furrows' ridges;
you make them soft with rain showers;
you bless the sprouts between them.
11 You crown the year with your goodness,
and your wagon tracks overflow with abundance.
12 The pastures in the wilderness drip with dew,
and the hills are girded with joy.
13 The pastures are clothed with flocks;
the valleys also are covered over with grain;
they shout for joy, and they sing.
Psalm 65 is a psalm of praise to God.
God answered prayers and gave the people justice and hope. God created nature and controls it, sending rain so the grain and pastures grow well.
This psalm is a song of praise. Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
This speaks of praise as if it were a person who could act on its own. Alternate translation: "To you alone, God in Zion, we will offer our praise"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "we will do what we have promised you that we would do"
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David speaks about iniquity as if it were a person that is able to defeat or oppress. Alternate translation: "It is as if our own sins were defeating us"
The word "them" refers to our "iniquities."
The words "you" and "your" in this verse refer to Yahweh.
This exaggeration expresses that the man is in the temple very frequently to worship Yahweh. Alternate translation: "worship often in your courts"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "The goodness of your house, your holy temple, will satisfy us"
Here the word "we" refers to David and the people of Israel, but not to God, to whom he is speaking.
"your house, which is your holy temple"
"Because you are righteous"
"you are"
These two phrases have similar meanings. Alternate translation: "of all the people who live throughout the earth and across the sea"
This refers to the people who live all over the earth.
The writer speaks of God as if he wore his strength like a belt. Alternate translation: "showing that you are very powerful"
These two phrases have the same meaning and are used together to create a vivid impression on the hearer or reader. Alternate translation: "the continuous roaring of the seas"
a loud noise caused by the wind and waves
This is also something that God makes quiet.
loud noise
proof or something that shows that another thing is true
The phrase "the east and the west" refers to the people who live all over the earth. Alternate translation: "you cause people everywhere to shout joyfully"
This refers to the soil of the earth.
"you make the soil very good so that good things will grow in it"
This refers to the supply of water in the sky that God sends to water the earth and fill the streams. Alternate translation: "you fill the streams with water"
The writer is speaking to Yahweh, so these words are all singular.
"the earth's furrows"
A furrow is a long narrow trench made in the ground for planting seeds or for watering the field where grains have been planted.
edges
The words "You" and "your" refer to Yahweh and so are singular.
Here the "year" is given the human quality of wearing a crown. Alternate translation: "You have honored the year with a good harvest"
Yahweh making the soil so good and fertile that it produces an abundant harvest is spoken of as if Yahweh were traveling through an empty land in a cart, leaving abundant food behind wherever he goes. Alternate translation: "everywhere you have been, you have left abundant food"
There is so much dew in the pastures that they are said to drip with it. Alternate translation: "The pastures ... are full of dew" or "Much dew drips in the pastures of the wilderness"
The writer speaks of the beauty of the hills as if they were joyful people, and of joy as if it were clothing. Alternate translation: "the hills are like people wearing joy" or "the hills are like joyful people"
The writer speaks of the pastures as being so covered with flocks that it is like the pastures are wearing a garment.
a large field where animals feed on the grass
group of animals, such as sheep and goats
The pastures, hills and valleys are so bountiful, that they seem to shout and sing for joy. Alternate translation: "they are like joyful singing people"
The word "they" refers to the pastures and valleys.
1 Shout out loud to God, all the earth;
2 Sing out the glory of his name;
make his praise glorious.
3 Say to God, "How terrifying are your deeds!
By the greatness of your power
your enemies will submit to you.
4 All the earth will worship you
and will sing to you;
they will sing praises to your name." Selah
5 Come and see the works of God;
he is fearsome in his deeds toward the sons of mankind.
6 He turned the sea into dry land;
they went through the river on foot;
there we rejoiced in him.
7 He rules forever by his might;
his eyes observe the nations;
let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah
8 Give blessing to God, you people,
let the sound of his praise be heard.
9 He keeps us among the living,
and he does not permit our feet to slip.
10 For you, God, have tested us;
you have tested us as silver is tested.
11 You brought us into a net;
you laid a heavy burden on our backs.
12 You made people ride over our heads;
we went through fire and water,
but you brought us out into a spacious place.
13 I will come into your house with burnt offerings;
I will pay you my vows
14 which my lips promised
and my mouth spoke when I was in distress.
15 I will offer to you burnt offerings of fat animals
with the sweet aroma of rams;
I will offer bulls and goats. Selah
16 Come and listen, all you who fear God,
and I will declare what he has done for my soul.
17 I cried to him with my mouth,
and he was praised with my tongue.
18 If I had seen wickedness within my heart,
the Lord would not have listened to me.
19 But God has truly heard;
he has paid attention to the voice of my prayer.
20 Blessed be God,
who has not turned away my prayer
or his covenant faithfulness from me.
Psalm 66 is a psalm of praise.
Just as God brought Israel through the wilderness, he took the author through hard times but saved him. The author will worship God by sacrificing animals to him. (See: save)
This psalm is a song of praise. Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
The kind of shout can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "Shout joyfully to God" "or "Shout praises to God"
This refers to all the people who live on the earth. Alternate translation: "everyone on earth"
These phrases have similar meanings and are used together to emphasize how wonderful God is. Alternate translation: "Sing about how wonderful God's name is; sing wonderful praise about how great God is"
God's name here represents God himself. Alternate translation: "his glory"
The works of God cause us to be in awe and terrified because we know he is powerful and holy.
"Because you have great power"
This refers to all of the people who live on the earth. Alternate translation: "All the people on earth will worship you"
Here "your name" refers to God himself. Alternate translation: "they will praise and honor you"
These words refer to God.
"he causes people to feel fear and wonder when they see his deeds"
"humanity"
These words refer to God.
This refers to the crossing of the Red Sea.
The word "they" refers to God's people, the Israelites.
The word "we" refers to the Israelites, their ancestors, David, and the people he is speaking to.
These words refer to God.
These phrase "his eyes" refers to God himself. Alternate translation: "he sees"
"let not the rebellious people exalt themselves" or "let not the rebellious people be proud"
These two clauses have similar meanings. The idea is repeated to emphasize the importance of praising God.
These words refer to David and the people he is speaking to.
The writer speaks of God's protection as preventing his people from slipping as they walk or falling off a cliff. Alternate translation: "he has not allowed us to fall into disaster"
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The writer speaks of God's punishment as if God had captured his people in a net.
a trap for a bird or an animal
The writer speaks of what the people have endured as having to carry heavy loads on their backs.
This is a picture of being horribly defeated in battle. Alternate translation: "It is as if our enemies defeated us in battle and then drove their chariots over our fallen bodies"
God tested them with natural disasters like fires and floods. Alternate translation: "we suffered like people who suffer from fires and floods"
The writer speaks of the blessings that the people of Israel now have as if they had been brought into a wide open space where they are safe. Alternate translation: "open place where we are safe"
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Here "lips" and "mouth" refer to the words of promise that were spoken. Alternate translation: "which I promised"
"smell of the smoke of sacrificed rams"
The word "soul" represents the whole person. Alternate translation: "I will tell you what he has done for me"
The word "mouth" represents the whole person who cries out to God.
Here "tongue" represents words or speech. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I praised him with my tongue" or "I praised him"
"looked with favor on wickedness"
Here "would not have listened" implies that God would not have answered his prayer. This can be made clear in the translation. Alternate translation: "would not have heard me call out to him" or "he would not have answered my prayer"
These two clauses have similar meanings and are used together to emphasize that God has heard his prayer. Alternate translation: "But God has truly heard my prayer"
Here the author's prayer is given the personal quality of having a voice. Alternate translation: "my prayer"
Here "turned away' represents ignoring his prayer. Alternate translation: "who has not ignored my prayer"
The phrase "has not turned away" is understood from the previous phrase and can be repeated here. The idea of "his covenant faithfulness" can be translated with the phrase "being faithful to his covenant." Alternate translation: "and has not turned away his covenant faithfulness from me" or "and has not stopped being faithful to his covenant with me"
1 May God be merciful to us and bless us
and cause his face to shine on us Selah
2 so that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, God;
let all the peoples praise you.
4 Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you will judge the peoples with justice
and govern the nations on earth. Selah
5 Let the peoples praise you, God;
let all the peoples praise you.
6 The earth has yielded its produce
and God, our God, has blessed us.
7 God has blessed us,
and all the ends of the earth honor him.
Psalm 67 is a worship psalm.
People all over the world should be praising God.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
For the chief musician; on stringed instruments. A psalm, a song
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
"people should play stringed instruments with this song"
The writer speaks of Yahweh acting favorably towards them as if Yahweh's face shone a light on them. Alternate translation: "act favorably towards us"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "people may know your ways on earth"
The writer desires for everyone to know that God has the power to save them. This can be made clear in the translation. Alternate translation: "and the people of all nations may know that you have the power to save them"
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Here "nations" represents the people who live in all the nations on the earth.
"fairly" or "justly"
The second clause intensifies the meaning of the first to emphasize how important it is to praise God.
Here the writer speaks of "the earth" as if it has chosen to provide food to the people. Alternate translation: "We have gained much food from our crops"
This means that people everywhere should honor God because of his blessings. Alternate translation: "I desire that all people everywhere on the earth may have an awesome respect for him"
1 Let God arise; let his enemies be scattered;
let those also who hate him flee before him.
2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away;
as wax melts before the fire,
so let the wicked perish in the presence of God.
3 But let the righteous be glad;
let them rejoice before God;
may they rejoice with gladness.
4 Sing to God! Sing praises to his name!
Praise the one who rides through the plains of the Jordan River valley!
Yah is his name! Rejoice before him! [1]
5 A Father of the fatherless, a judge of the widows,
is God in the holy place where he lives.
6 God puts the lonely into families;
he brings out the prisoners with singing;
but the rebellious live in a parched land.
7 God, when you went out before your people,
when you marched through the wilderness, Selah
8 the earth trembled;
the heavens also dropped rain in God's presence,
in the presence of God when he came to Sinai, in the presence of God, the God of Israel.
9 You, God, sent a plentiful rain;
you strengthened your inheritance when it was weary.
10 Your people lived in it;
You, God, gave from your goodness to the poor.
11 The Lord gave the word,
and those who announced them were a great army.
12 Kings of armies flee, they flee,
and the women waiting at home divide the plunder:
13 the wings of a dove are covered with silver,
its feathers with shining gold.
Yet some of you people lie down among the sheepfolds.
14 The Almighty scattered kings there,
it was as when it snowed on Mount Zalmon.
15 A mighty mountain is the hill country of Bashan;
a high mountain is the hill country of Bashan.
16 Why do you look in envy, you high hill country,
at the mountain which God desires for the place he will live?
Indeed, Yahweh will live in it forever.
17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand,
thousands upon thousands;
the Lord is among them in the holy place, as at Sinai.
18 You have ascended on high;
you have led away captives;
you have received gifts from among men,
even from the rebellious,
so that Yah, God, might live there. [2]
19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burdens,
the God who is our salvation. Selah
20 Our God is a God who saves;
Yahweh the Lord is the one who is able to rescue us from death.
21 But God will strike through the heads of his enemies,
through the hairy scalps of those who walk in offenses against him.
22 The Lord said, "I will bring my enemies back from Bashan;
I will bring them back from the depths of the sea
23 so that you may crush your enemies, dipping your foot in blood,
and so that the tongues of your dogs may have their share from your enemies."
24 They have seen your processions, God,
the processions of my God, my King, into the holy place.
25 The singers went first, the minstrels followed after,
and in the middle were the unmarried girls playing tambourines.
26 Bless God in the assemblies;
praise Yahweh, you who are from the fountain [3] of Israel.
27 There is Benjamin, the smallest tribe, ruling them,
then the leaders of Judah and their multitudes,
the leaders of Zebulun and the leaders of Naphtali.
28 Your God, Israel, has decreed your strength;
reveal to us your power, God, as you have revealed it in times past.
29 Reveal your power to us from your temple at Jerusalem,
where kings bring tribute to you.
30 Rebuke the wild beasts in the reeds,
against the peoples, that multitude of bulls and calves.
Humiliate them and make them bring you silver;
scatter the peoples who love to wage war.
31 Princes will come out of Egypt;
Cush will hurry to reach out with her hands to God.
32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth. Selah
Sing praises to the Lord,
33 to him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which exist from ancient times;
see, he lifts up his voice with power.
34 Ascribe strength to God;
his majesty is over Israel,
and his strength is in the skies.
35 God, you are fearsome in your holy place;
the God of Israel—he gives strength and power to his people.
Blessed be God.
Psalm 68 is a worship psalm.
God is exceedingly great. He takes care of the weak and helpless. He is glorious in his temple. (See: glory and temple)
Scholars have found this psalm the most difficult to interpret. There does not appear to be any unity to this psalm.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
Possible meanings are 1) David wrote the psalm or 2) the psalm is about David or 3) the psalm is in the style of David's psalms.
God beginning to act is spoke of as if he stands up. Alternate translation: "Let God begin to act"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "let God chase away his enemies"
God's enemies are spoken of as if they are smoke that is easily blown away by the wind. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Drive them away as the wind blows away smoke"
God's enemies are spoken of as if they are wax that is easily melted by a fire. Alternate translation: "cause them to disappear as wax melts before a fire"
This refers to the wicked people in general.
This refers to the righteous people in general.
"rejoice and be happy" or "be joyful and glad." This is probably a hendiadys. Alternate translation: "be very glad"
This refers to God. Alternate translation: "to him"
God's presence among people is spoken of as if he rides on the earth in a horse or chariot.
God is spoken of as a compassionate God who acts like a father to orphans. Alternate translation: "One who acts like a father to children who have no parents"
God is spoken of as a merciful God who protects widows. Alternate translation: "a protector of widows"
God is spoken of as if he places lonely people into families. "God provides families for those who have no one to live with"
God is spoken of as the one who leads prisoners out of their confinement. Alternate translation: "God frees prisoners and makes them sing with happiness"
This nominal adjective refers to rebellious people and can be translated with either an adjective or a noun. Alternate translation: "rebellious people" or "people who rebel against him"
God's punishment of the rebellious is spoken of as if he forces them to live in a hot desert land. Alternate translation: "a very hot and dry land"
David begins to tell the story of God leading the Israelites through the desert to Mt. Sinai.
These two phrases refer to the same event.
"you led your people"
God is spoken of as if he was a soldier marching ahead of the people of Israel.
"God caused it to rain"
This idiom here refers to God's appearance before the Israelites. Alternate translation: "when God appeared to the Israelites"
The land of Israel is spoken of as if it was a person who could be weary, or could gain strength. Alternate translation: "you caused the land to produce good crops"
The land that God gave to the Israelites is spoken of as if it was an inheritance that a father passed on to his children. Alternate translation: "the land that you gave to us Israelites"
This refers to poor people in general. Alternate translation: "poor people"
David continues the story of the journey of the Israelites through the desert. In this part of the story, the Israelites are victorious in war over their enemies.
"The Lord gave a command"
The large number of people told the Lord's message to others. They are spoken of as if there were a large army. Since this phrase is feminine, some versions translate it as, "the women who announced them ... army."
The kings represent themselves and their entire armies. It is understood that they flee because they are defeated by Israel's army. Alternate translation: "Kings and their armies flee from us because they are defeated"
things that are taken from the defeated army and brought to the victorious army's home.
This means that some of the plunder is very valuable because it is covered with precious metals.
There were so many dead kings and soldiers on the mountain that they are spoken of as if they were snow covering the mountain. Alternate translation: "defeated so many enemy kings and soldiers there that they were like snowflakes covering Mount Zalmon"
Here "kings" refers to their armies as well. Alternate translation: "scattered the enemy kings and their armies"
This is the name of a mountain.
These two phrase have similar meanings and are used together to strengthen each other. Alternate translation: "a mighty and high mountain is the hill country of Bashan"
This question can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: "The high hill country of Bashan should not look in envy at the mountain which God desires for the place he will live."
This is probably not meant to be an exact number, but to indicate a large number. Alternate translation: "many thousands"
To "ascend" is to to move up, to go toward the sky.
"carries our heavy loads every day." The Lord's care for his people is spoken of as if he was physically carrying their troubles as a burden.
The words "is our salvation" can be translated with the verb "save." Alternate translation: "the God who saves us"
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God is spoken of as a warrior who will kill his enemies by striking them in their heads in order to kill them. Alternate translation: "will kill his enemies by striking them in the head"
It seems to have been the custom for soldiers not to cut their hair during the time of war. Alternate translation: "the long-haired skulls"
Offending God is spoken of as walking among the offenses. Alternate translation: "habitually offend him"
The word "them" refers to God's enemies.
This speaks of the most remote parts of the earth where people might try to escape from God as if they were the depths of the sea.
The total destruction of Israel's enemies is spoken of as if the Israelites had crushed them under their feet. Alternate translation: "totally defeat your enemies"
The violence of from the destruction of the enemies is spoke of in very graphic form, as if the Israelites would be standing in the blood of their dead enemies. Alternate translation: "stepping in their blood"
The bloodshed from the battle against Israel's enemies is spoken of as if it is so extensive that the dogs will lap up the flowing blood with their tongues.
A procession is a group of people walking together in an orderly manner as part of a ceremony.
people who play musical instruments
It may be helpful to change the order of these phrases. Alternate translation: "You who are from the fountain of Israel, praise Yahweh and bless God in the assembly"
The word "fountain" is a metaphor for the ability of the man Israel to be the ancestor of many people: as much water comes from a fountain, so Israel is the ancestor of many people. This also implies that the call is to those who serve God as the man Israel did. Alternate translation: "true descendants of Israel" or "all of you descendants from Israel"
"their group." The word "their" refers to the leaders of Judah.
Some versions understand the Hebrew text differently: "Summon your strength, God" or "Use your strength, God"
"People of Israel, your God has decreed"
The word "us" refers to the writer and the people of Israel, but not to Yahweh, to whom he is speaking.
The word "us" refers to the writer and the people of Israel, but not to Yahweh, to whom he is speaking.
"When you are present in the temple at Jerusalem, show us your power"
The abstract noun "power" can be stated as "strong." Alternate translation: "Show us that you are strong"
"Tell the wild beasts in the reeds that you are going to fight against them. Tell the peoples"
Many scholars believe these wild beasts are a metaphor that refers to the people of Egypt. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: "the people of Egypt who are like wild beasts in the reeds"
The peoples of other nations are spoken of as if they were a large group of cattle. Alternate translation: "the powerful nations, who are like herds of bulls"
This means cause something to spread quickly in different directions.
It is implied that these princes come from Egypt in order to offer gifts to God in Jerusalem. Alternate translation: "Then the leaders of Egypt will bring gifts to you"
This refers to the people of Cush. Alternate translation: "The Cushites"
This is a symbolic action that represents worship to God. Alternate translation: "lift up her hands to praise God"
Here "kingdoms" refers to the citizens of the kingdoms. Alternate translation: "you people who are citizens of kingdoms all over the world"
These words further describe Yahweh [Psalm 68:32]
This idiom means he speaks powerfully. Alternate translation: "he shouts powerfully" or "he speaks loudly"
"Ascribe" means to give credit to someone. Alternate translation: "Strength belongs to God"
The abstract noun "strength" can be stated as "powerful." Alternate translation: "in the skies he also shows that he is powerful"
Here the author speaks directly to God.
These two words mean basically these same thing. They emphasize how much strength God provides to his people.
1 Save me, God;
for the waters have put my life in danger.
2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no place to stand;
I have come into deep waters, where the floods flow over me.
3 I am weary with my crying; my throat is dry;
my eyes fail while I wait for my God.
4 Those who hate me without a cause
are more than the hairs on my head;
those who would cut me off,
being my enemies for wrong reasons, are mighty;
what I did not steal,
I have to give back.
5 God, you know my foolishness,
and my sins are not hidden from you.
6 Let not those who hope in you be put to shame because of me,
Lord Yahweh of hosts;
let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor because of me,
God of Israel.
7 For your sake I have borne rebuke;
shame has covered my face.
8 I have become a stranger to my brothers,
an alien to my mother's children.
9 For the zeal of your house has eaten me up,
and the rebukes of those who rebuke you have fallen on me.
10 When I weep and fast,
I must endure scorn.
11 When I put on sackcloth,
I became a byword to them.
12 Those who sit in the city gate talk about me;
I am a song of drunkards.
13 But as for me, my prayer is to you, Yahweh,
at a time that you will accept;
answer me in the trustworthiness of your salvation.
14 Pull me out of the mire,
and do not let me sink;
let me be taken away from those who hate me
and rescued out of the deep waters.
15 Do not let the floods of water overwhelm me,
neither let the deep swallow me up.
Do not let the pit shut its mouth on me.
16 Answer me, Yahweh, for your covenant faithfulness is good;
because your mercies for me are many, turn to me.
17 Do not hide your face from your servant,
for I am in distress; answer me quickly.
18 Come to me and redeem me.
Because of my enemies, ransom me.
19 You know my rebuke, my shame, and my dishonor;
my adversaries are all before you.
20 Rebuke has broken my heart;
I am full of heaviness;
I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none;
I looked for comforters, but I found none.
21 They gave me poison for my food;
in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
22 Let their table before them become a snare;
when they think they are in safety, let it become a trap.
23 Let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see;
and always make their loins shake.
24 Pour out your indignation on them,
and let your raging anger overtake them.
25 Let their encampment be a desolation;
let no one live in their tents.
26 For they persecuted the one you struck down.
They repeated the account of the pain of those you have wounded.
27 Accuse them of having committed iniquity after iniquity;
do not let them come into your righteous victory.
28 Let them be blotted out of the Book of Life
and not be written down along with the righteous.
29 But I am poor and in pain;
let your salvation, God, set me up on high.
30 I will praise the name of God with a song
and will exalt him with thanksgiving.
31 That will please Yahweh better than an ox
or a bull that has horns and hooves.
32 The meek have seen it and are glad;
you who seek after God, let your hearts live.
33 For Yahweh hears the needy
and does not despise his prisoners.
34 Let heaven and earth praise him,
the seas and everything that moves in them.
35 For God will save Zion and will rebuild the cities of Judah;
the people will live there and have it as a possession.
36 His servants' descendants will inherit it;
and those who love his name will live there.
Psalm 69 is a psalm of deliverance. The author prays to be saved from his enemies and for them to be punished. (See: deliverer and save)
The author prays for God to rescue him from his enemies. They show him no mercy, and he asks God to show them no mercy. (See: mercy)
This psalm is a prayer for help. Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
This may refer to a style of music. See how you translated this in Psalms 45:1.
The writer describes the troubles in his life as if he were drowning in a flood of water. Alternate translation: "for it feels like I am drowning in the waters"
The writer describes the troubles in his life as if he were sinking in deep mud. Alternate translation: "For it feels like I am sinking in deep mud and will die"
thick mud
The writer uses a negative statement to stress how unstable and uncertain his condition is.
The writer describes his problems as if he was drowning in a deep, raging river. Alternate translation: "t feels like I am in deep waters, and the floodwaters flow over me"
very tired
This idiom means the writer has cried so much that his eyes do not see well any longer. Alternate translation: "my eyes are swollen from tears"
This is an exaggeration to express how many enemies the writer has. Alternate translation: "more than I can count, like the hairs on my head"
This idiom means "kill me."
The abstract noun "foolishness" can be stated as "foolish." Alternate translation: "the foolish things that I have done"
This can be expressed as a positive statement. Alternate translation: "you know all my sins"
"Do not let those ... do not let those"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Please do not allow anyone to put those who wait for you to shame because of me"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Please do not allow anyone to bring dishonor on those who seek you because of me"
Seeking God represents either 1) asking God for help or 2) thinking about God and obeying him. Alternate translation: 1) "those who ask you for help" or 2) "those who worship and obey you"
"On your behalf" or "For you"
The rebukes of the writer's enemies are spoken of as if they are a heavy load that he has had to carry. Alternate translation: "I have endured the insults of my enemies"
The writer speaks of the shame that he feels as if it is a foul thing on his face that everyone can clearly see. Alternate translation: "I am thoroughly humiliated"
The writer speaks of himself as if he were not part of his own family. Alternate translation: "My brothers no longer know or accept me at all"
These two phrases mean the same thing. They are repeated to stress his separation from his own family.
It is implied that "I have become" should be understood here. The writer speaks of himself as if he were not part of his own family. Alternate translation: "my brothers no longer know or trust me at all"
The writer speaks of his zeal for God's temple as if it was a wild animal that devours the writer. Alternate translation: "the zeal I have for your house consumes me"
This idiom means that the writer's zeal for the temple takes over all of his thoughts and actions. Alternate translation: "completely controls all that I think and do"
The writer speaks of the rebukes of Gods' enemies as if they were rocks that were thrown at the writer. Alternate translation: "those who rebuke you have also thrown their rebukes at me"
The fact that the writer was fasting indicates that he was sad about the way people treated God's temple.
"my enemies rebuked me because I was weeping and not eating"
Wearing rough, cheap clothing was a symbol of mourning over sin.
The writer speaks of himself as if he was the sad or foolish person that people joke about in a rhyme or proverb; the taunting was intended to bring shame to him. Alternate translation: "I became a joke to them" or "they made fun of me"
Here "city gate" is associated with leadership of a town. Alternate translation: "The important people of the city"
The writer speaks of himself as if he was the person about whom the drunkards sing mocking songs. Alternate translation: "the drunkards of the city sing disgusting songs about me"
"in your accepted time" or "when you are willing"
The abstract nouns "trustworthiness" and "salvation" can be stated as "faithfully" and "rescue." Alternate translation: "rescue me because you faithfully love me, as you have promised to do"
These two phrases mean the same thing.
The writer speaks of his danger from his enemies as if he was sinking into a pit of mud. "Do not allow me to sink anymore in the mud"
Here "take away" refers to being removed from danger. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "take me away" or "rescue me"
It is understood that "let me be" is implied here. It can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "please rescue me out"
The writer speaks about his danger from his enemies as if he was drowning in deep water.
The writer speaks about his danger from his enemies as if flood waters were covering him completely.
The writer speaks of the deep as if it was a deadly animal that was about to eat him. Alternate translation: "the deep waters swallow me up like a dangerous animal"
Here the "pit" is spoken of as if it has a mouth like a person and could eat the writer. Alternate translation: "Do not let the pit consume me" or "Do not let the pit of death close over me"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "you are good and faithful to your covenant"
"you are very merciful to me"
The idea of turning towards someone means to pay attention to them or help them. Alternate translation: "help me"
To hide one's face means to refuse to hear or help someone. Alternate translation: "Please help your servant" or "Please help me"
"in great trouble"
The writer asks God to redeem him as if the writer were a slave whose freedom God could purchase. Alternate translation: "free me"
The writer asks God to ransom him as if the writer were a captive whose release could be paid for with money. Alternate translation: "rescue me"
These abstract nouns can be stated as actions. Alternate translation: "how people have rebuked me, shamed me, and dishonored me"
Here "before you" means that God sees and knows all about them. Alternate translation: "you know who all my enemies are"
This idiom means a person is extremely sad. Alternate translation: "offended me deeply"
The writer's great sadness is spoken of as if he was full of a heavy weight. Alternate translation: "I am heavy with sorrow"
to feel sorrow or sadness
This is probably figurative. The food that people gave to the writer was so bad that it tasted like poison. Alternate translation: "They gave me food that tasted like poison"
The writer would like for his enemies' food to completely ruin them as if they were small animals caught in a snare or a trap. Alternate translation: "May their food ruin them like a snare ... may it destroy them like a trap"
This refers to food that was served on the tables, possibly at a feast. Alternate translation: "their own food" or "sacrificial feasts"
The writer speaks of eyes that cannot see well as if they were darkened. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Please make them unable to see anything"
Weak backs are spoken of as if they are shaking in weakness. Alternate translation: "cause their backs to be too weak for them to do anything"
"their sides" or "their backs"
God's demonstration of his anger is described as if he poured it out on his enemies like water.
anger of a person who has suffered injustice
"your burning anger" or "your strong anger"
God's judgment on his enemies is described as if he ran after them and caught them.
This abstract noun can be stated as "abandoned." Alternate translation: "become abandoned"
"they persecuted the man"
Here to be "struck down" refers to punishment. Alternate translation: "you punished"
Here to be "wounded" refers to causing them to suffer. Alternate translation: "those you have caused to suffer"
"Keep making a record of all their sins"
"very many sins"
To come into God's victory is an idiom that means to receive a reward from him. Alternate translation: "do not let them receive your righteous reward"
Here "them" refers to the names of the enemies. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Wipe out their names in"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "do not write down their names"
The abstract noun "salvation" can be stated with the verb "save." Here "on high" refers to a place of safety." Alternate translation: "God, save me and put me in a safe place"
Here "name" refers to God himself. Alternate translation: "God"
This abstract noun can be stated with the verb "thank." Alternate translation: "by thanking him"
It is understood that the ox and the bull are to be offered to God as sacrifices. Alternate translation: "better than sacrificing an ox or sacrificing a bull"
This phrase distinguishes the full grown bulls from other younger cows. Alternate translation: "a bull that is full grown with horns and hooves"
This refers to meek people in general. Alternate translation: "Meek people"
Seeking God represents either 1) asking God for help or 2) thinking about God and obeying him. Alternate translation: "you who ask God for help" or "you who think about God"
Here "hearts" refer to the people. Here "live" is an idiom that means to be encouraged. Alternate translation: "may you be encouraged"
Here "hears" means to respond. Alternate translation: "Yahweh answers"
This refers to needy people in general. Alternate translation: "needy people"
"those who have suffered for him"
Here heaven and earth and the seas are spoken of as if they are people who are able to praise God.
It is implied that "Let ... praise him" should be understood here. Alternate translation: "let he seas and everything that moves in them praise him"
Here "Zion" refers to the people in Zion. Alternate translation: "God will save the people of Zion"
The word "it" refers to the land of Judah.
Here "name" refers to God himself. Alternate translation: "who love God"
1 Save me, God!
Yahweh, come quickly and help me.
2 Let those who try to take my life
be ashamed and humiliated;
let them be turned back and brought to dishonor,
those who take pleasure in my pain.
3 Let them be turned back because of their shame,
those who say, "Aha, aha."
4 Let all those who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
let those who love your salvation always say,
"May God be praised."
5 But I am poor and needy;
hurry to me, God;
you are my help and you rescue me.
Yahweh, do not delay.
Psalm 70 is a psalm of deliverance. The psalmist asks God to deliver him from his enemies.
The author needs help and needs it immediately.
This psalm is an almost exact duplicate of Psalm 40:13-17.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
Possible meanings are 1) David wrote the psalm or 2) the psalm is about David or 3) the psalm is in the style of David's psalms.
"the people who"
This idiom means "kill me."
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "may God put them to shame and bring disgrace upon them"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "may God turn them around and make them ashamed for what they have done"
To be stopped or thwarted is spoken of as being turned back from their attack. Alternate translation: "stopped"
This is an expression of mocking laughter. You may replace "Aha, aha" with whatever laughing sounds like in your language. Alternate translation: "those who mock and laugh at me"
Seeking God represents either 1) asking God for help or 2) thinking about God and obeying him. Alternate translation: "ask you for help" or "think about you and obey you"
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize the intensity of gladness. Alternate translation: "rejoice greatly" or "be very glad"
The abstract noun "salvation" can be stated as an action. Alternate translation: "love you because you saved them"
This exaggeration emphasizes that it is important to praise God often.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Let everyone praise God"
Here the words "poor" and "needy" mean basically the same thing and emphasize that he is unable to help himself. Alternate translation: "very needy"
The writer speaks of God as if he were running to the writer in order to help him. Alternate translation: "come quickly to help me"
Here the phrase "you rescue me" explains how God is his "help." Alternate translation: "you help me by rescuing me"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "please come quickly"
1 In you, Yahweh, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
2 Rescue me and make me safe in your righteousness;
turn your ear to me and save me.
3 Be to me a rock for refuge
where I may always go;
you have given a command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 Rescue me, my God, out of the hand of the wicked,
out of the hand of the unrighteous and ruthless.
5 For you are my hope, Lord Yahweh.
I have trusted in you ever since I was a child.
6 By you I have been supported from the womb;
you are he who took me out of my mother's belly;
my praise will be always about you.
7 I am a marvel to many people;
you are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth will be filled with your praise,
all the day with your honor.
9 Do not throw me away in my time of old age;
do not abandon me when my strength fails.
10 For my enemies are talking about me;
those who watch for my life are plotting together.
11 They say, "God has abandoned him;
pursue and take him,
for there is no one to save him."
12 God, do not be far from me;
my God, hurry to help me.
13 Let them be put to shame and destroyed,
those who are hostile to my life;
let them be covered with rebuke and dishonor,
those who seek my hurt.
14 But I will always hope in you
and will praise you more and more.
15 My mouth will tell about your righteousness
and your salvation all the day,
although I cannot understand it.
16 I will come with the mighty acts of the Lord Yahweh;
I will make mention of your righteousness, yours alone.
17 God, you have taught me from my youth;
even now I declare your wonderful deeds.
18 Indeed, even when I am old and gray-headed, God,
do not abandon me,
as I have been declaring your strength to the next generation,
your power to everyone who is to come.
19 Your righteousness also, God, is very high;
you who have done great things,
God, who is like you?
20 You who made me see many troubles
will revive us again
and will bring us up again
from the depths of the earth.
21 May you increase my honor;
turn again and comfort me.
22 I will also give thanks to you with the harp
for your trustworthiness, my God;
to you I will sing praises with the harp,
Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to you—
even my soul, which you have redeemed.
24 My tongue will also talk about your righteousness
all day long;
for they have been put to shame and are confused,
those who sought my hurt.
Psalm 71 is a psalm of deliverance. (See: deliverer)
God has helped the psalmist all his life. Now that he is old, his enemy thinks that God has abandoned him; but the psalmist trusts in God and will praise Yahweh with songs of praise. (See: trust)
This psalm is a prayer for help. Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
Going to Yahweh for protection is spoken of as taking refuge in him. Alternate translation: "go to you, Yahweh, for protection"
This can be stated in active form. See how "do not let me be humiliated" is translated in [Psalms 25:2]
Possible meanings are 1) "make me safe because you always do what is right" or 2) "make me safe as I do what you want me to do"
Here "your ear" refers to God's willingness to hear someone who prays to him. See how this is translated in [Psalms 17:6]
"keep me safe"
The psalmist requests that Yahweh make him as safe as he would be if he were hiding in a large rock or cliff where his enemies could not find him.
These are hills or mountains, not rocks one can hold in one's hand.
"you have commanded your angels"
The psalmist believes that Yahweh will protect him and make him as safe as if he were hiding on top of a large mountain or inside a man-made fortress.
Possible meanings are 1) the word "hand" is a metonym for power. Alternate translation: "from the power of the wicked, from the power of the unrighteous" or 2) "hand" refers to the person himself. Alternate translation: "from wicked people, from unrighteous ... people" or "so that wicked people and unrighteous ... people cannot harm me"
"wicked; rescue me out of the hand of the unrighteous." You can make clear the understood information.
These adjectives can be translated as noun phrases. Alternate translation: "wicked people ... unrighteous people ... ruthless people"
Here "hope" is a metonym for the one in whom the psalmist hopes. Alternate translation: "you are the one whom I confidently expect to help me"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "You have supported me from the womb" or "You have taken care of me ever since I came out of my mother's womb"
"you are the one"
"Many people are surprised to see how well I live and want to live as I do"
The psalmist speaks of his desire to praise and honor Yahweh with the words he speaks as if his mouth were full of words the way it can be full of food. Alternate translation: "My mouth will be filled with words that praise you ... that honor you" or "I will always praise you ... will always honor you"
Here "praise" refer to the words that he will use to praise Yahweh. Alternate translation: "words that tell people how great you are"
Here "honor" refer to the words that he will use to honor Yahweh. Alternate translation: "words that cause people to honor you"
"all day long" or "at all times"
These two phrases have basically the same meaning and are used together for emphasis.
"Do not force me to go away from you." For God to reject him is spoken of as God forcing him to go away. See how this is translated in [Psalms 51:11]
"do not leave me forever"
It is implied that they are watching for an opportunity to take his life. The euphemism "to take a life" means to kill. Alternate translation: "watch for an opportunity to take my life" or "wait for an opportunity to kill me"
This can be translated to make explicit that they are talking about him. Alternate translation: "They say about me"
"follow him when he runs away, and kill him"
Because Yahweh has not yet answered the writer's request, he speaks of Yahweh as if Yahweh were standing far away from the writer.
"help me soon"
"Let those who are hostile to my life be put to shame and destroyed"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Put them to shame and destroy them"
The words "my life" represent the person. The idiom "hostile to my life" means that these are people who try to harm him by accusing him of wrongdoing. Alternate translation: "those who accuse me of doing wrong"
"let those who seek my hurt be covered with rebuke and dishonor"
This can be stated in active form. The abstract nouns "rebuke" and "dishonor" can be stated as verbs. Alternate translation: "may everyone rebuke them, and may no one honor them"
The noun "hurt" can be translated with a verb. Alternate translation: "those who are looking for ways to harm me"
"more all the time" or "always more than I have before"
"I do not completely understand your righteousness and your salvation, but my mouth will tell about them all the day"
The mouth is synecdoche for the whole person. Alternate translation: "I will tell" or "I will speak with my mouth and tell"
This can be restated to remove the abstract noun "righteousness." Alternate translation: "how righteous you are" or "all the good things you do"
The abstract noun "salvation" can be stated as an action. Alternate translation: "how you have saved me" or "how you save people"
Possible meanings are 1) "I will go to where people worship Yahweh" or 2) "I will go to my enemies"
Possible meanings are 1) "I will tell them of the mighty deeds the Lord Yahweh has done" or 2) "because the Lord Yahweh has given me strength to do mighty acts."
"will talk about"
The implied information may be stated clearly. "taught me many things"
"God, please do not leave me"
The abstract noun "strength" can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: "I have been telling how strong you are"
"to those who are children today"
The omitted information may be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "and as I declare your power to everyone who is to come"
This exaggeration refers to everyone the writer can speak to. Alternate translation: "so as many people as I can tell will know"
The psalmist speaks of the good things God has done as though they were put together as a high building or a mountain.
This rhetorical question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "there is no one like you!"
strengthen or make lively again
"The depths of the earth" here is a metaphor for where people go when they die. The psalmist had not already died, but in this exaggeration he speaks as if he had. Alternate translation: "when we are near death"
"I want you to increase ... I want you to turn again and comfort." Some translations read, "You will increase ... you will turn again and comfort."
This describes one action through two phrases. Alternate translation: "comfort me again"
"to you, who is the Holy One of Israel, I will sing praises while I play the harp"
"Lips" represent the whole person. Alternate translation: "I will shout for joy"
The words the psalmist has omitted can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "and my soul, which you have redeemed, will sing praises"
Here "soul" refers to the whole person.
Here "tongue" refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: "I will also talk"
"those who sought my hurt have been put to shame and are confused"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "for God has put to shame and confused them"
This refers to the enemies of the writer. (Psalms 71:10). See how "those who seek my hurt" is translated in Psalms 71:13.
1 Give the king your righteous decrees, God,
your righteousness to the king's son.
2 May he judge your people with righteousness
and your poor with justice.
3 May the mountains produce peace for the people;
may the hills produce righteousness.
4 May he judge the poor of the people;
may he save the children of the needy
and break in pieces the oppressor.
5 May they honor you while the sun endures,
and as long as the moon lasts throughout all generations.
6 May he come down like rain on the mown grass,
like showers that water the earth.
7 May the righteous flourish in his days,
and may there be an abundance of peace till the moon is no more.
8 May he have dominion from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
9 May those who live in the wilderness bow down before him;
may his enemies lick the dust.
10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the islands render tribute;
may the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts.
11 Indeed, may all kings fall down before him;
may all nations serve him.
12 For he helps the needy person who cries out
and the poor person who has no other helper.
13 He has pity on the poor and needy,
and he saves the lives of needy people.
14 He redeems their lives from oppression and violence,
and their blood is precious in his sight.
15 May he live!
May the gold of Sheba be given to him.
May people always pray for him;
may God bless him all day long.
16 May there be abundance of grain in the land;
on the mountaintops may their crops wave.
May the fruit of it be like Lebanon;
may the people flourish in the cities like the grass of the field.
17 May his name endure forever;
may his name continue as long as the sun;
may people be blessed in him;
may all nations call him blessed.
18 May Yahweh God, the God of Israel, be blessed,
who alone does wonderful things.
19 May his glorious name be blessed forever,
and may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
Amen and Amen.
20 The prayers of David son of Jesse are finished.
Psalm 72 is a psalm for the king when he begins to be the king. David wrote it as a blessing on his son, Solomon. (See: bless)
May the king be honored throughout the world. May he help the poor. May there be prosperity while he is king.
The whole collection of Psalms has been divided into several "books." This is the last psalm of the second book. It is attributed to Solomon, the son of David.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry. Possible meanings for the header "a psalm of Solomon" are 1) David wrote this psalm about Solomon
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
Possible meanings are 1) "Give me, the king, your righteous decrees, God, your righteousness to my son" or 2) "Give me, the king, your righteous decrees, God, your righteousness to me, the king's son." People in those days would often speak of themselves as if they were someone else. However, it would be best to translate this as though the psalmist is speaking of someone else, not of himself.
"Enable the king to judge rightly"
The verb may be supplied from the previous phrase. Here the word "righteousness" refers to making righteous decisions. Alternate translation: "give your righteousness to the king's son" or "enable the king's son to rule with righteousness"
If David wrote this, he is talking about his son, "the king's son," he is speaking of the time when his son will be king. If Solomon wrote it, even though he is writing about himself, it would be best to translate as though he were writing about someone else. Either way, "May the king judge" is the best translation.
The psalmist is speaking to God.
The verb may be supplied from the previous phrase. The adjective "poor" refers to poor people. Alternate translation: "may he judge your poor people"
The psalmist speaks of the people of Israel as if they were the mountains and hills on which they live. He speaks of the mountains and the hills as if they were the entire land of Israel, as if that land were a garden that produces fruit, and of peace and righteousness as if they are that fruit. Alternate translation: "May the people of the land live in peace ... may they do everything in a righteous way"
These refer to the one who will "judge" (Psalms 72:2).
The writer speaks of the king defeating or punishing people who oppress others as if those people were objects that the king would break into pieces. Alternate translation: "punish the person who oppresses others"
The sun and the moon are metonyms for the day and the night, which together are a merism for all time. Alternate translation: "forever, and without ending"
The king will be good, and he will do good things for his people as if he were rain doing good for freshly cut grass.
"I desire that he come"
"May he come down like showers that water." The king will be good, and he will do good things for his people as if he were rain doing good for the ground.
The adjective "righteous" can be translated as a noun phrase. Alternate translation: "righteous people"
Possible meanings are 1) "while the king rules" or 2) "as long as the righteous person lives" or "as long as the righteous people live."
The psalmist speaks as if peace were a physical object like food. An "abundance" is when there is much of something. This can be restated to remove the abstract nouns "abundance" and "peace." Alternate translation: "may righteous people live peacefully"
"as long as the moon shines" or "forever"
"May the king have dominion"
Both of these expressions are merisms and refer to the whole earth.
from the Dead Sea and the Sea of Kinnereth in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west.
"the Euphrates River," which the Israelites would travel to on land by going north
as far as people could travel on land by different routes to the south. The Israelites spoke of the earth as if it were a flat surface with ends.
This is a metaphor for extreme humiliation. Alternate translation: "do everything they can so he will allow them to live"
This is the name of a place.
pay
"give gifts"
This is the name of a country. It is not the same country as Sheba.
"bow down before him" or "honor him as their king"
Here the word "nations" represents the people who live in the nations. Alternate translation: "the people who live in every nation"
"no one else to help him"
"He wants to stop the poor and needy from suffering"
Here the nominal adjectives "poor" and "needy" mean basically the same thing and emphasize that they are unable to help themselves. Alternate translation: "those who are poor and those who are needy"
Here "lives" refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: "redeems them" or "saves them" or "rescues them"
These two words mean basically the same thing and emphasize how badly the needy suffer. These abstract nouns can be stated as verbs. Alternate translation: "those who oppress them and hurt them"
Here "their blood" is a metonym for their well-being. The sight of Yahweh represents his judgment or evaluation. Alternate translation: "their well-being is very important to him" or "he wants them to live well"
See how this phrase is translated in Psalms 19:14.
This saying was used to honor the king by expressing a desire to have him live a long time. Alternate translation: "May the king live a long time!" or "I desire that the king live a long time!"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "May they give him the gold of Sheba" or "May he receive the gold of Sheba"
This idiom means "continually" and does not refer only to one day. Alternate translation: "continually" or "all the time"
An "abundance" is when there is much of something. This abstract noun can be stated as "much" or "plenty" Alternate translation: "much grain" or "plenty of grain"
plants that people grow for food
Use the word for what long grass does when a gentle wind blows on it and it moves slowly back and forth.
"like the cedar trees in Lebanon." These trees were beautiful and had wood that was good for building. The meaning of this can be made clear.
The prosperity of the people in the cities is spoken of as if they were grass that grows abundantly in the fields.
This saying is used to honor God by expressing the desire for people to always remember him. Alternate translation: "May people always know about him" or "May people never forget who he is"
Here "his name" refers to God's reputation. Alternate translation: "the king's name" or "the king's reputation" or "the king's fame"
The verb may be supplied from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: "as long as the sun endures" or "as long as the sun shines"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "may God cause him to do good things for people"
"recognize that God has blessed them"
These verses are more than the end of this psalm. It is the closing statement for all of Book 2 of the Psalms, which starts at Psalm 42 and ends with Psalm 72.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "May people bless Yahweh God, the God of Israel"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "May people bless his glorious name forever" or, treating "name" as a metonym for Yahweh himself, "May people forever know how glorious he is"
"he, who is glorious, be blessed"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "may his glory fill the whole earth" or "may he fill the whole earth with his glory"
The word "Amen" is repeated to emphasize approval of what has been said. See how you translated this in Psalms 41:13. Alternate translation: "May it certainly be so"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "David, the son of Jesse has finished his prayers" or "This is the last prayer of the David the son of Jesse"
1 Surely God is good to Israel,
to those with a pure heart.
2 But as for me, my feet almost slipped;
my feet almost slipped out from under me
3 because I was envious of the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For they have no pain until their death,
but they are strong and well fed.
5 They are not in trouble like other men;
they are not afflicted like other men.
6 Pride adorns them like a necklace around their neck;
violence clothes them like a robe.
7 Out of such blindness comes sin;
evil thoughts pass through their hearts.
8 They mock and speak wickedly;
in their arrogance they threaten oppression.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens,
and their tongues march through the earth.
10 Therefore his people turn to them
and abundant waters are drained out.
11 They say, "How does God know?
Is there knowledge with the Most High?"
12 Take notice: these people are wicked;
they are always at ease, becoming richer and richer.
13 Surely it is in vain that I have guarded my heart
and washed my hands in innocence.
14 For all the day long I have been afflicted
and disciplined every morning.
15 If I had said, "I will say these things,"
then I would have betrayed this generation of your children.
16 Though I tried to understand these things,
it was too difficult for me.
17 Then I went into God's sanctuary
and came to understand their fate.
18 Surely you put them in slippery places;
you bring them down to ruin.
19 How they become a wilderness in a moment!
They come to an end and are finished in awful terrors.
20 They are like a dream after one wakes up;
Lord, when you arise,
you will despise their image.
21 For my heart was embittered,
and I was deeply wounded.
22 I was ignorant and lacked insight;
I was like a senseless animal before you.
23 Yet I am always with you;
you hold my right hand.
24 You will guide me with your advice
and afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
There is no one on earth that I desire but you.
26 My flesh and my heart grow weak,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
27 Those who are far from you will perish;
you will destroy all those who are unfaithful to you.
28 But as for me, all I need to do is to approach God.
I have made the Lord Yahweh my refuge.
I will declare all your deeds.
Psalm 73 is a wisdom psalm. It explains the problem of wicked people who seem to prosper. (See: wise and evil)
Sometimes it seems that wicked people have no problems and everything works for them. Despite this, they will be destroyed. In contrast, the righteous always have God to help them through problems. (See: righteous)
There are twelve psalms attributed to Asaph; the first one is Psalm 50, which is in Book Two, and the other eleven (Psalm 73–83) are at the beginning of Book Three.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
The psalmist speaks of being unable to trust God and wanting to sin as if he had almost fallen while walking on a slippery path. Alternate translation: "I almost stopped trusting in God; I was almost guilty of committing a great sin against him"
"I envied the arrogant" or "I did not want arrogant people to have the good things that they had"
The adjective "arrogant" can be translated as a noun phrase. Alternate translation: "arrogant people"
The word "prosperity" can be translated as a verb. Alternate translation: "how the wicked have so many good things"
The adjective "wicked" can be translated as a noun phrase. Alternate translation: "wicked people"
Asaph begins to describe how he sometimes wants to complain to God about those who are "arrogant" and "wicked" (Psalms 73:3).
They do not have to work hard to meet their needs for food, shelter, and clothing, and they are always healthy.
"they do not suffer the way other people do"
Asaph continues to describe how he sometimes wants to complain to God about those who are "arrogant" and "wicked" (Psalms 73:3).
This means the wicked show everyone how proud and violent they are as if they were wearing a necklace or beautiful robe.
This refers to things that rich and important people wear.
a chain usually made of gold or jewels that goes around the neck
Because they are like blind people who cannot see where they are going, they sin without knowing it. Being blind is a metaphor for a person being unable to see how wicked he is.
Here the psalmist describes people's thoughts as if they were people. He also describes the inner beings of wicked people as if they were a building in which those people could walk. Alternate translation: "in their inner beings they are always thinking about more evil things to do"
Asaph continues to describe how he sometimes wants to complain to God about those who are "arrogant" and "wicked" (Psalms 73:3).
Whom they mock can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "They mock God and his people"
Here "their mouth" is a metonym for their speech, and "heavens" is a metonym for God, who lives in the heavens. Alternate translation: "They speak against God, who is in the heavens"
The word "tongues" represents the people themselves. Possible meanings are 1) "they go through the earth saying bad things about God" or "they go everywhere and boast about themselves."
Asaph continues to describe how he sometimes wants to complain to God about those who are "arrogant" and "wicked" (Psalms 73:3).
Possible meanings are 1) "God's people love the wicked people" or "the wicked people return to this place"
Possible meanings are 1) "God's people listen gladly to the words of the wicked people" or 2) "the wicked people have plenty of food to eat and wine to drink"
the wicked people say
These rhetorical questions are to show contempt for God. These questions can be translated as statements. Alternate translation: "Surely God does not know what we are doing. The Most High has no knowledge of it."
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In verses 13 and 14, Asaph continues to describe how he sometimes wants to complain to God about those who are "arrogant" and "wicked" (Psalms 73:3). In verse 15 he begins to talk about what he is really thinking.
The word "I" refers to Asaph.
Asaph speaks of guarding his heart as if he were guarding a city or building against enemies. Alternate translation: "I have kept my thoughts pure"
The writer speaks of his purity as if he had washed his hands with innocence instead of with water. See how you translated this in Psalms 26:6. Alternate translation: "my actions have remained pure" or "I have washed my hands to show that I am innocent"
"always" or "every day"
"You have made me suffer." See how "they are not afflicted" is translated in Psalms 73:5.
"I have been ... punished"
This statement describes something that could have happened in the past but did not. Alternate translation: "I never said, 'I will say these things,' so I did not betray this generation of your children"
The good things that happen to "the wicked" (Psalms 73:4-Psalms 12).
"what happens to wicked people when they die" or "how wicked people die"
The word "them" refers to the wicked.
"unsafe or unstable ground." See how "slipped" is translated in Psalms 73:2.
The word "wilderness" is a metaphor for a person who has lost everything good. Alternate translation: "How quickly they are destroyed"
The wicked will last no longer than what a person sees in a dream. It disappears as soon as the person wakes up.
This phrase refers to the "dream" about the people who are "wicked" and "at ease" (Psalm 73:12).
The word "heart" represents the person emphasizing their thoughts and feelings. Alternate translation: "I was very sad"
The psalmist speaks of emotional pain as if it were physical pain by being pierced with a knife or arrow. Alternate translation: "I felt like someone had wounded me"
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize how little he knew. Alternate translation: "very ignorant"
"understood nothing"
This "you" refers to God.
The word "I" here represents Asaph. The word "you" here represents God.
The person's "right hand" refers to the whole person. This shows an intimate relationship with God that offers stability and security. Alternate translation: "You hold me close"
Possible meanings are 1) "put me where people will honor me" or 2) "honor me by taking me to where you are." See how "receive me" is translated in Psalms 49:15.
You can translate this as a statement. Alternate translation: "There is no one for me in heaven but you!" or "You are the only one I have in heaven!"
"among the gods" or "among the supernatural beings"
These two phrases share similar meanings. Together they represent the whole person. Alternate translation: "My body and my mind"
Asaph continues to talk about God.
Here the idea of staying far from God is compared to being unwilling to obey him. Alternate translation: "Those who do not want to obey you"
The word "unfaithful" here refers to sexual immorality that violates marriage. This is a metaphor for people who say they will worship only Yahweh but later worship other gods.
The writer speaks of Yahweh as if he were a place to which a person could flee for safety.
1 God, why have you rejected us forever?
Why does your anger burn against the sheep of your pasture?
2 Call to mind your people, whom you purchased in ancient times,
the tribe whom you have redeemed to be your own heritage,
and Mount Zion, where you live.
3 Come look at the everlasting ruins,
all the damage that the enemy has done in the holy place.
4 Your adversaries roared in the middle of your appointed place;
they set up their battle flags.
5 They hacked away with axes
as in a thick forest.
6 They smashed and broke down all the engravings;
they broke them with axes and hammers.
7 They set your sanctuary on fire, knocking it to the ground;
they desecrated the dwelling place of your name.
8 They said in their hearts, "We will destroy them all."
They burned up all the meeting places of God in the land.
9 We do not see any more signs;
there is no prophet any more,
and no one among us knows how long this will last.
10 How long, God, will the enemy throw insults at you?
Will the enemy blaspheme your name forever?
11 Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand?
Take your right hand from your garment and destroy them.
12 Yet God has been my king from ancient times,
bringing salvation on the earth.
13 You divided the sea by your strength;
you smashed the heads of the sea monsters in the waters.
14 You crushed the heads of leviathan;
you fed him to those living in the wilderness.
15 You broke open springs and streams;
you dried up flowing rivers.
16 The day is yours, and the night is yours also;
you set the light and the sun in place.
17 You have set all the borders of the earth;
you have made summer and winter.
18 Call to mind how the enemy hurled insults at you, Yahweh,
and that a foolish people has blasphemed your name.
19 Do not give the life of your dove to a wild animal.
Do not forget forever the life of your oppressed people.
20 Remember your covenant,
for the dark regions of the land are full of places of violence.
21 Do not let the oppressed be turned back in shame;
let the poor and oppressed praise your name.
22 Arise, God; plead your own cause;
call to mind how fools mock you all day long.
23 Do not forget the voice of your adversaries
or the uproar of those who continually defy you.
Psalm 74 is a psalm of deliverance. The people have been completely conquered and they pray for God to deliver them. (See: deliverer)
The enemies have destroyed God's temple and are insulting the people. God is powerful. He made everything and he chose Israel for his people. He should avenge himself on these enemies that have burnt his temple. (See: temple and peopleofgod and avenge)
This is called a "Maschil." The word in the original language has caused scholars to have various opinions about its meaning. Some say it means to instruct, while others say that the word is referring to the skill used in creating the psalm. Still others think it means that meditation should be used in reading this psalm.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
This may refer to a style of music. See how you translated this in Psalms 32:1.
This can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "God, we have done nothing wrong, but you have rejected us forever!"
This can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "We are the ones you have promised to care for, and we have done nothing wrong, but now you are angry with us!"
Asaph speaks of the people of Israel as if they were sheep. Alternate translation: "against Israel, who are like the sheep whom you feed in your pasture"
"Pay attention to." God has not forgotten his people, but he does not seem to be thinking about them.
"yours forever"
These verses describe an actual event, a physical attack on the temple of Israel in Jerusalem.
Asaph is addressing God, asking him to come look at the destruction.
the ruins of a building that no one will ever rebuild
The adversaries were shouting loudly with a great cry of victory.
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This refers to carvings on wood, metal, or stone in the temple.
Asaph continues to describe the destruction of the temple.
Here "they" refers to the adversaries mentioned in Psalms 74:4.
Here "they" refers to the adversaries mentioned in Psalms 74:4.
This is an idiom. Alternate translation: "They said to themselves" or "They thought to themselves"
Asaph is addressing God about the destruction he sees.
Possible meanings are 1) "We do not see any more miraculous signs from God" or 2) "All our sacred symbols are gone" or 3) the "signs" are the flags and symbols of an army representing the army itself. Alternate translation: "They have completely destroyed our army"
This can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "God, the enemy has been throwing insults at you for too long!"
This can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "It seems as if you will never stop the enemy from blaspheming your name!"
The word "name" is a metonym for God himself. Alternate translation: "say that you are bad" or "insult you"
The psalmist speaks of God as if he had a physical body. This can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "Stop holding back your hand, your right hand!"
Here the word "hand" is a metonym for power. Alternate translation: "not show your power" or "not use your power to destroy your enemies"
"your strongest hand"
The psalmist speaks of God as if he had a physical body. "Stop hiding your power and take action"
This begins a new theme: Asaph is proclaiming God's mighty deeds in the history of his people.
Possible meanings are 1) Asaph is speaking as Israel's representative, "God has been our king since we Israelites first became a nation" or 2) "God, my king, was alive even in ancient times."
The abstract noun "salvation" can be translated with the verb "to save." Here Yahweh saving people is spoken of as if salvation were an object that he brings with him. Alternate translation: "saving people"
Asaph is probably speaking of the time God brought Israel out of Egypt, divided the Sea of Reeds, led Israel through it on dry land, then drowned Pharaoh's army.
Asaph is speaking of God as if God had a physical body. "You are so strong you were able to make dry land in the middle of the sea."
"the great water"
Asaph is probably speaking of Pharaoh and his army as if they were sea monsters. If possible, translate these words literally. Alternate translation: "when you killed Pharaoh's army, it was as if you smashed the heads of sea monsters in the waters"
Asaph continues to speak of what God did long ago. He is probably speaking of when God brought Israel out of Egypt and drowned Pharaoh's army in the Sea of Reeds. If possible, these words should be translated literally.
Leviathan is a sea monster. It represents a cruel enemy.
Yahweh causing springs and streams to flow out of the ground as if he broke open the ground so that they could flow. Alternate translation: "You caused springs and streams to flow out of the ground"
Asaph continues to recount God's creative power.
This probably refers to the moon.
"the boundaries of the land and the sea"
Asaph is pleading for God's help.
"Pay attention to." See how this is translated in [Psalms 74:2]
Asaph speaks of insulting words as if they were physical objects, like stones, which the enemy was throwing at Yahweh. Alternate translation: "the enemy insulted you many times"
Asaph speaks of himself as if he were a dove, a defenseless bird. This phrase may also be a metaphor for the people of Israel. Alternate translation: "me, your dove"
A small, defenseless bird often kept as a pet.
This phrase may be a metaphor for the enemies of Israel. Alternate translation: "a savage enemy that is like a wild animal"
"Do not continue forever to do nothing to help your oppressed people." This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "Come soon to help your oppressed people"
Asaph continues his lament to Yahweh.
Asaph speaks of "regions" as if they were containers in which one could put "places of violence." Alternate translation: "violent people do evil deeds in dark places in the land wherever they can"
The word "dark" is probably a metaphor for a place where bad things happen or for the lands to which the Israelites had been sent in exile, but these words should be translated literally if possible.
"Do not let wicked people defeat the oppressed and make them ashamed"
These are people who are treated cruelly by powerful people.
The words "poor" and "oppressed" mean basically the same thing and emphasize that Yahweh saves many who need his help. See how these words are translated in [Psalms 35:10]
This phrase is a metaphor that speaks as if God were testifying in court. Alternate translation: "show everyone that you are right"
"Pay attention to." God has not forgotten how fools mocked him, but he does not seem to be thinking about it. See how this is translated in verse Psalms 2.
The word "voice" is a metonym for the words people use when they speak. Alternate translation: "what your adversaries are saying"
The psalmist speaks of the words of those who defy God as if they were the loud sound of animals or non-living objects like water or the wind. Alternate translation: "and pay attention to the loud and meaningless words of those who continually defy you"
boldly oppose
1 We give thanks to you, God;
we give thanks, for your name is near;
people tell of your wondrous works.
2 At the appointed time
I will judge fairly.
3 Though the earth and all the inhabitants shake in fear,
I make steady the earth's pillars. Selah
4 I said to the arrogant, "Do not be arrogant,"
and to the wicked, "Do not lift up the horn.
5 Do not lift up your horn to the heights;
do not speak with an arrogant neck."
6 It is not from the east or from the west,
and it is not from the wilderness that lifting up comes.
7 But God is the judge;
he brings down and he lifts up.
8 For Yahweh holds in his hand a cup of foaming wine,
which is mixed with spices, and pours it out.
Surely all the wicked of the earth
will drink it to the last drop.
9 But I will continually tell what you have done;
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
10 He says, "I will cut off all the horns of the wicked,
but the horns of the righteous will be raised up."
Psalm 75 is a wisdom psalm; teaching what will happen to evil people. (See: wise and evil)
God has warned the evil people that they will be punished. He will strengthen the good people. (See: good)
The people of God are speaking in 75:1, and God speaks in 75:2-3. Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
This may refer to a style of music. See how you translated this in Psalms 57:1.
"This is a psalm that Asaph wrote." See how this is translated in Psalms Psalm 53.
you reveal your presence
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"all the people who live on it"
"keep the earth from being destroyed" or Alternate translation: "keep my people safe"
The words "the arrogant" and "the wicked" are nominal adjectives that can be translated with nouns. The verb for the second phrase may be supplied from the first. Alternate translation: "I said to the arrogant people ... and I said to the wicked people"
Possible meanings are 1) God is speaking or 2) Asaph is speaking.
The speaker is speaking to many wicked people, so these forms are plural.
Asaph speaks of wicked people as if they were animals with horns on their heads, stretching their necks and holding their heads high to frighten other animals. Alternate translation: "Do not be confident" or "Do not boast about how strong you are"
The speaker is speaking to many wicked people, so these forms are plural.
Asaph speaks of wicked people as if they were animals with horns on their heads, stretching their necks and holding their heads as high as they can to frighten other animals. Alternate translation: "Be especially sure not to boast that you are greater than God"
Asaph speaks of wicked people who defy or challenge God as if they were animals with horns on their heads, stretching their necks and holding their heads high to frighten other animals. Alternate translation: "arrogantly"
Asaph speaks of the one who lifts up as if he were the action of lifting up. He also speaks of God giving strength and honor to a person as if God were physically lifting that person up. Alternate translation: "The one who will lift you up will not be someone who comes from the east" or "The one who will make you strong and have people honor you will not be someone who comes from the east"
Asaph speaks about God.
The objects of the verbs can be stated clearly: "he brings some people down and he lifts other people up." The words "brings down" and "raises up" are metaphors for God making people powerful and taking away their power. Alternate translation: "he makes one man king in place of another man" or "he takes away one man's power and gives power to another man"
When Yahweh punishes the people they will be like people who have drunk strong wine and become ill.
The foam is a metaphor for the power of the wine to make people drunk, Alternate translation: "strong wine"
dried leaves or ground seeds
pours it from a large container into the cups that the people will drink from
"drink every drop of it"
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God says
The horns of an animal are a metaphor for the power of a person. Alternate translation: "take away all power from"
The horns of an animal are a metaphor for the power of a person. This can be translated as a statement in active form. Alternate translation: "I will raise up the horns of the righteous" or "I will make the righteous powerful"
1 God has made himself known in Judah;
his name is great in Israel.
2 His tent is in Salem;
his dwelling place is in Zion.
3 There he broke the arrows of the bow,
the shield, the sword, and the other weapons of war. Selah
4 You shine brightly and are majestic
as you descend from the mountains, where you killed your victims.
5 The brave of heart were plundered;
they fell asleep.
All the warriors were helpless.
6 At your rebuke, God of Jacob,
both charioteer and horse fell asleep.
7 You, yes you, are to be feared;
who can stand in your sight when you are angry?
8 From heaven you made your judgment heard;
the earth was afraid and silent
9 when you, God, arose to execute judgment
and to save all the oppressed of the earth. Selah
10 Surely your angry judgment against humanity will bring you praise;
you gird yourself with the remnant of your anger.
11 Make vows to Yahweh your God and keep them.
May all who surround him bring tribute to him who is to be feared.
12 He cuts off the spirit of the princes;
he is feared by the kings of the earth.
Psalm 76 is a worship psalm.
God is great. He has conquered all the nations surrounding Israel. Everyone should bring him gifts.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
"people should play stringed instruments with this song."
"This is a psalm that Asaph wrote" See how this is translated in Psalms 53:1.
"caused the people of Judah to know who he is" or "made himself famous in Judah"
The words "his name" are a metonym for his reputation. Alternate translation: "the people of Israel consider him good and powerful"
"the place where he has chosen to live"
These words are probably a metaphor for God causing the people of Judah to live in peace without being afraid of enemies making war on them, but the words should be translated literally.
Asaph speaks of God as if God was a soldier returning from a mountain after winning a great battle.
The second phrase strengthens the first phrase in that Yahweh's glory relates to Yahweh shining brightly.
The words "shine brightly" are a metaphor for being great. Alternate translation: "You show how extremely great you are"
The word "heart" here is a metonym for the person. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Your people killed the brave soldiers of their enemies and then took all their possessions"
Here "fell asleep" is a euphemism for died. Alternate translation: "died" or "fell down dead"
The abstract noun "rebuke" refers to saying something in an angry or critical way. Alternate translation: "When you rebuked them"
This phrase is a polite way to say that they died. Alternate translation: "died" or "fell down dead"
This can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "No one can stand in your sight when you are angry." or "You can destroy anyone at whom you are angry."
"you pronounced judgment" or "you announced how you were going to punish wicked people"
Here "the earth" is a metonym for the people living on the earth. Alternate translation: "the people of the earth were"
"carry out judgment" or "punish wicked people"
"It is certain that your angry judgment"
Possible meanings are 1) "people will praise you because you are angry at the wicked and judge them" or 2) "people who are angry with you will do things that cause people to praise you."
Yahweh's anger is spoken of as something that he can tie around himself like a belt. Alternate translation: "you tie your remaining anger around you like a belt"
"Yahweh, whom they should fear"
The phrase "He cuts off the spirit" is an idiom that means He breaks the spirit or He humbles. Alternate translation: "He humbles the princes"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the kings of the earth fear him"
1 I will call with my voice to God;
I will call out with my voice to God,
and my God will give ear to me.
2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched my hands out, and they would not become tired.
My soul refused to be comforted.
3 I thought of God as I groaned;
I thought about him as I grew faint. Selah
4 You held my eyes open;
I was too troubled to speak.
5 I thought about the days of old,
about years long past.
6 During the night I called to mind the song I once sang.
I thought carefully
and tried to understand what had happened.
7 Will the Lord reject me forever?
Will he never again show me favor?
8 Was his covenant faithfulness gone forever?
Had his promise failed forever?
9 Had God forgotten to be gracious?
Had his anger shut off his compassion? Selah
10 I said, "This is my sorrow:
the changing of the right hand of the Most High toward us."
11 But I will remember the deeds of Yah; [1]
I will remember your miracles of long ago.
12 I will ponder all your deeds
and will reflect on them.
13 Your way, God, is holy;
what god compares to our great God?
14 You are the God who does wonders;
you have revealed your strength among the peoples.
15 You gave your people victory by your great power—
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. Selah
16 The waters saw you, God;
the waters saw you, and they were afraid;
the depths trembled.
17 The clouds poured down water;
the cloudy skies gave voice;
your arrows flew about.
18 Your thunderous voice was heard in the wind;
the lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and shook.
19 Your path went through the sea
and your way through the surging waters,
but your footprints were not seen.
20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
The author felt abandoned by God. This is a psalm of lament. (See: lament)
God used to be close to the psalmist, but now it seems that God has completely abandoned him. Long ago, God took care of Israel and brought the people safely through the sea.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
One of David's chief musicians had this same name. This may refer to him. See how you translated this in [Psalms 39:1]
"I prayed with my arms extended"
The "soul" represents the person. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I would not allow anyone to try to comfort me"
These two phrases share similar meanings and are combined for emphasis.
"as my spirit grew faint" or "as my spirit was overwhelmed"
After speaking about God, Asaph speaks to God in verse 4 and then returns to speaking about God.
"I said to God, 'You held my eyes open.'"
Open eyes is a metonym for being unable to sleep. Alternate translation: "kept me from sleeping"
If necessary, "days of old" and "years long past" can be combined. Alternate translation: "about things that happened a very long time ago"
This is an idiom for remembering. Alternate translation: "I remembered"
Another possible meaning is "what was happening."
These two phrases express feeling rejection from the Lord.
"do things that show that he is pleased with me"
Because Asaph was not sure of the answer to these questions, they are probably literal questions and should be translated literally.
Asaph speaks of Yahweh no longer acting faithfully to his covenant as if Yahweh's covenant faithfulness had gone away. The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "Has he stopped being faithful to his covenant forever?"
These are two expressions stating similar concept of God not showing compassion.
Asaph speaks of anger as if it were a person shutting a door to keep another person, compassion, from coming out, Alternate translation: "Had God stopped showing us compassion because he was angry with us"
Possible meanings are 1) the psalmist was speaking to himself or 2) the psalmist was speaking to Yahweh.
The "right hand" is a metonym for power, authority or strength. Alternate translation: "the Most High no longer uses his power to help us"
The writer begins to speak to Yahweh.
"the wonderful things you did long ago"
These two phrases express the concept of meditating on what Yahweh has done.
think deeply about
"think of what they mean"
The writer continues to speak to Yahweh.
This can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "no god compares to our great God."
The abstract noun "strength" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "shown people from many people groups how strong you are"
"gave us, your people, victory ... us who are the descendants"
The abstract noun "victory" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "caused your people to be victorious"
This refers to the entire nation of Israel.
Asaph speaks of the water as if it were a person who saw something that terrified him.
"water" and "depth" refers to large bodies of water such as the sea or ocean.
deepest waters
Asaph speaks of the clouds as if they were people pouring water out of containers. Alternate translation: "Much rain fell" or "It rained very hard"
This is a metaphor that describes lightning as God's arrows. Alternate translation: "the lightning you made flashed like arrows"
Use your language's word for what an arrow does after someone shoots it.
This is personification, referring to the thunder as the voice of God. Alternate translation: "voice, which was as loud as thunder" or "very loud voice"
This is an exaggeration to emphasize that the lightning lit up everything the writer could see. Alternate translation: "lightning lit up everything as far as you could see"
These two phrases have similar meanings and are combined for emphasis.
Asaph is speaking of Yahweh as if Yahweh was a person with feet. While this is personification, it should be translated literally, if possible.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "no one saw your footprints"
This simile compares God's people to a flock of animals.
The phrase "by the hand of" here means "by the action of" or "through the action of."
Here "hand" is synechdoche for the whole person.
1 Hear my teaching, my people,
listen to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in parables;
I will sing about hidden things about the past.
3 These are things that we have heard and learned,
things that our ancestors have told us.
4 We will not keep them from their descendants.
We will tell the next generation
about the praiseworthy deeds of Yahweh,
his strength, and the wonders that he has done.
5 For he established covenant decrees in Jacob
and appointed a law in Israel.
He commanded our ancestors
that they were to teach them to their children.
6 He commanded this so that the generation to come might know his decrees,
the children not yet born,
who should tell them in turn to their own children.
7 Then they would place their hope in God
and not forget his deeds
but keep his commandments.
8 Then they would not be like their ancestors,
who were a stubborn and rebellious generation,
a generation whose hearts were not right,
and whose spirits were not committed and faithful to God.
9 The Ephraimites were armed with bows,
but they turned back on the day of battle.
10 They did not keep the covenant with God,
and they refused to obey his law.
11 They forgot his deeds,
the wonderful things that he had shown them.
12 They forgot the marvelous things he did in the sight of their ancestors
in the land of Egypt, in the land of Zoan.
13 He divided the sea and led them across it;
he made the waters to stand like walls.
14 In the daytime he led them with a cloud
and all the night with the light of fire.
15 He split the rocks in the wilderness,
and he gave them water abundantly,
enough to fill the depths of the sea.
16 He made streams flow out of the rock
and made the water flow like rivers.
17 Yet they continued to sin against him,
rebelling against the Most High in the wilderness.
18 They challenged God in their hearts
by asking for food to satisfy their appetites.
19 They spoke against God;
they said, "Can God really lay out a table for us in the wilderness?
20 See, when he struck the rock,
waters gushed out
and streams overflowed.
But can he give bread also?
Will he provide meat for his people?"
21 When Yahweh heard this, he was angry;
so his fire burned against Jacob,
and his anger attacked Israel,
22 because they did not believe in God
and did not trust in his salvation.
23 Yet he commanded the skies above
and opened the doors of the sky.
24 He rained down manna for them to eat,
and gave them the grain from heaven.
25 People ate the bread of angels.
He sent them food in abundance.
26 He caused the east wind to blow in the sky,
and by his power he guided the south wind.
27 He rained down meat on them like dust,
birds as numerous as the sands of the sea.
28 They fell in the middle of their camp,
all around their tents.
29 So they ate and were full.
He gave them what they craved.
30 But they had not yet filled up;
their food was still in their mouths.
31 Then God's anger attacked them
and killed the strongest of them.
He brought down the young men of Israel.
32 Despite this, they continued to sin
and did not believe his wonderful deeds.
33 Therefore God cut short their days;
their years were filled with terror.
34 Whenever God killed them, they would start to seek him,
and they would return and look earnestly for him.
35 They would call to mind that God was their rock
and that the Most High God was their rescuer.
36 But they would flatter him with their mouth
and lie to him with their words.
37 For their hearts were not firmly fixed on him,
and they were not faithful to his covenant.
38 Yet he, being merciful,
forgave their iniquity
and did not destroy them.
Yes, many times he held back his anger
and did not stir up all his wrath.
39 He called to mind that they were made of flesh,
a wind that passes away and does not return.
40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness
and grieved him in the barren regions!
41 Again and again they challenged God
and offended the Holy One of Israel.
42 They did not think about his power,
how he had rescued them from the enemy
43 when he performed his terrifying signs in Egypt
and his wonders in the region of Zoan.
44 He turned the Egyptians' rivers to blood
so that they could not drink from their streams.
45 He sent swarms of flies that devoured them
and frogs that destroyed them.
46 He gave their crops to the grasshopper
and their labor to the locust.
47 He destroyed their vines with hail
and their sycamore trees with more hail.
48 He rained hail on their cattle
and hurled lightning bolts at their livestock.
49 The fierceness of his anger lashed out against them.
He sent wrath, fury, and trouble
like angels who bring disaster.
50 He leveled a path for his anger;
he did not spare them from death
but gave them over to the plague.
51 He killed all the firstborn in Egypt,
the firstborn of their strength in the tents of Ham.
52 He led his own people out like sheep
and guided them through the wilderness like a flock.
53 He led them secure and unafraid,
but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
54 Then he brought them to the border of his holy land,
to this mountain that his right hand acquired.
55 He drove out the nations from before them
and assigned them their inheritance.
He settled the tribes of Israel in their tents.
56 Yet they challenged and rebelled
against the Most High God
and did not keep his solemn commands.
57 They were unfaithful
and acted treacherously like their fathers;
they were as undependable as a faulty bow.
58 For they made him angry with their high places
and provoked him to jealous anger with their idols.
59 When God heard this, he was angry
and completely rejected Israel.
60 He abandoned the sanctuary of Shiloh,
the tent where he had lived among people.
61 He allowed his strength to be captured
and gave his glory into the enemy's hand.
62 He handed his people over to the sword,
and he was angry with his heritage.
63 Fire devoured their young men,
and their virgins had no wedding songs.
64 Their priests fell by the sword,
and their widows could not weep.
65 Then the Lord awakened as one from sleep,
like a warrior who shouts because of wine.
66 He drove his adversaries back;
he put them to everlasting shame.
67 He rejected the tent of Joseph,
and he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim.
68 He chose the tribe of Judah
and Mount Zion that he loved.
69 He built his sanctuary like the heavens,
like the earth that he has established forever.
70 He chose David, his servant,
and took him from the sheepfolds.
71 He took him from following the ewes with their young,
and he brought him to be shepherd of Jacob,
his people, and of Israel, his heritage.
72 David shepherded them with the integrity of his heart,
and he guided them with the skill of his hands.
Psalm 78 is a wisdom psalm using Israel's history. (See: wise)
Although God did one miracle after the other, the people of Israel still complained and failed to believe Yahweh. (See: believe)
This is called a "Maschil." The word in the original language has caused scholars to have various opinions about its meaning. Some say it means to instruct, while others say that the word is referring to the skill used in creating the psalm. Still others think it means that meditation should be used in reading this psalm.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
This may refer to a style of music. See how you translated this in Psalms 32:1.
The noun "teaching" can be translated with a verb. Alternate translation: "Hear what I teach" or "Hear me as I teach you"
The word "mouth" represents the person. Alternate translation: "my words"
The idiom "open my mouth" means to speak. Alternate translation: "speak in parables"
"tell." See how "pours out" is translated in Psalms 19:2.
If your language has a word for sayings that are purposely difficult to understand, you might use it here.
Verse 3 continues the sentence begun in verse 2.
This can be written in positive form. Alternate translation: "We will certainly tell our descendants about them"
"the things we praise Yahweh for"
"Yahweh established"
Other possible meanings are "testimonies" or "laws."
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The writer speaks of the "children" of Psalms 78:5-6.
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This is possibly a metaphor for not keeping the covenant (verse 10), but it is best to translate literally.
"The Ephraimite soldiers"
The soldiers probably also had arrows. Alternate translation: "had bows and arrows for weapons"
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This refers to the area around the city of Zoan, which was in Egypt.
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"God split"
This is probably hyperbole. Alternate translation: "more water than they could possibly drink"
small rivers
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They wanted God to prove that he could do what he said he would do before they would believe him.
"with their whole hearts"
"so they could eat as much as they desired"
the Israelites spoke
This can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "We do not believe that God can really lay out a table for us in the wilderness!" or "God, prove to us that you can really lay out a table for us in the wilderness!"
The idiom "lay out a table" means to prepare a table for a meal. Here the word "table" is a metonym for the food on the table. Alternate translation: "provide us with food"
much water came out quickly
The people are laughing at God to insult him with these questions. Alternate translation: "But we will not believe that he can give us bread also or provide meat for his people until we see him do it."
food from plants or food from animals. Though this is a merism for all kinds of food, it is best to translate it literally if possible.
The writer speaks of Yahweh's anger as if it were a fire, and of Yahweh acting in anger against Jacob as if that fire burned Jacob. Alternate translation: "his anger was like a fire that burned Jacob"
This refers to the nation of Israel
The writer speaks of Yahweh punishing Israel when he was angry as if his anger were a person who attacked Israel. Alternate translation: "because he was angry, he attacked Israel"
"did not trust him to save them"
Asaph speaks of the skies as if they were a person who could hear and obey God's commands. Alternate translation: "he spoke to the sky"
Possible meanings are 1) "sky" or 2) "clouds."
Asaph speaks of the sky as if it were a storeroom with doors. Alternate translation: "opened the sky as if it were a storeroom"
These two lines speak of the same event.
"He caused manna to fall from the sky like rain"
This refers to the manna that God provided for the people. The word "bread" represents food in general. Alternate translation: "the same kind of food that angels eat"
The abstract noun "abundance" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "abundant food" or "a large amount of food"
"God caused"
The writer speaks of Yahweh causing birds to fall from the sky as if the birds were rain that Yahweh caused to fall. He compares the large amount of birds to dust. Alternate translation: "He caused meat to fall from the sky like rain, and there was so much of it that it covered the ground like dust"
birds
No one can count the grains of sand. There were more birds than anyone could count, but this is an exaggeration: there were probably not literally the same number of birds as grains of sand.
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strongly desired
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while the food was still in their mouths (Psalms 78:31)
"God was angry and attacked them." See how "his anger attacked Israel" is translated in [Psalms 78:21]
This is a euphemism that means he caused them to die. Alternate translation: "killed"
The word "deeds" is a metonym for God, who did the deeds. What they did not believe can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "did not believe that he would take care of them even though he had done such wonderful deeds"
The writer continues telling of what God did to the Israelites.
Here the word "days" refers to a lifetime. The idiom "to cut short ... days" means to cause someone to die before they have lived a long life. Alternate translation: "killed them while they were still young"
Asaph speaks of years as if they were containers. Alternate translation: "year after year they were afraid all the time"
When some of them died, others would "start to seek" God.
to ask him what they needed to do so he would protect them
"would repent" or "would be truly sorry for their sins"
"look urgently" or "look as best they could"
The tells of what the Israelites did.
"remember." See how this is translated in Psalms 20:3.
The writer speaks about God as if he were a hill or mountain where people could go to be safe from their enemies. Alternate translation: "God was the one who protected them"
"the one who rescued them"
"tell him he was wonderful when they did not believe it"
The word "mouth" is a metonym for the words they spoke using their mouths. Alternate translation: "by saying what they said"
Here "hearts" is a metonym for their thoughts. To be loyal to him is spoken of as being solidly attached to him. Alternate translation: "their thoughts were not focused on him" or "they were not loyal to him"
"forgave them even though they had done evil deeds"
Asaph speaks of God's anger as if it were an angry person whom God held onto to keep him from attacking the one who had made him angry. Alternate translation: "did not punish them even though he was angry with them"
Asaph speaks of God's wrath as if it were a sleeping person whom God allowed to sleep and did not awaken. Alternate translation: "did not allow himself to become fully angry with them"
"remembered." See how "call to mind" is translated in [Psalms 20:3]
The word "flesh," which is weak and then dies, is a metonym for human weakness and death. Alternate translation: "the Israelites were weak and would someday die"
"places where nothing grows"
They wanted God to prove that he could do what he said he would do before they would believe him. See how you translated this in Psalms 78:18.
The writer speaks of how God had rescued the Israelites.
a city in Egypt
The writer describes what God did.
so many flies that it looked like a cloud
The flies made the Egyptians almost as unhappy as they would have if they had eaten the Egyptians.
"overran their land" or "went everywhere in their land"
"allowed the grasshoppers to eat all their crops and allowed the locusts to eat everything they had worked hard to produce"
a plant-eating insect with long legs used for jumping
Asaph speaks of the crops as a gift that God gave to the grasshoppers. Alternate translation: "He allowed the grasshopper to eat their crops"
"he gave their labor to the locust." Asaph speaks of the people's labor as if it were a gift that God gave to the grasshoppers. The word "labor" is a metonym for the crops that their labor had produced. Alternate translation: "he allowed the locusts to eat the crops they had worked so hard to produce"
The writer continues to describe what God did to the Egyptians.
a tree that gives fruit
lightning that makes loud thunder
"He brought hail" or "He caused hail to fall"
Asaph speaks of God's fierceness as if it were a person who could attack another person. Alternate translation: "He was angry with them, so he suddenly and fiercely attacked them"
"His fierce anger"
"attacked them when they were not expecting anything to happen"
Asaph speaks of wrath, fury, and trouble as though they are people God can send to do his work for him. Alternate translation: "He was so angry that he wanted to harm the Egyptians, so he made trouble for them and brought them to disaster"
anger that makes someone want to harm others
or "servants who bring disaster"
The writer continues to describe what God did to the Egyptians.
The psalmist speaks of anger as if it were a person who could walk Yahweh getting ready to punish the people as if he were making a smooth road for a person to walk on. Alternate translation: "He was so angry that he did everything he could to harm them" or "It was as if his anger was an army and he made a smooth road for it to march on"
"he did not keep the Egyptians from dying" or "he did not permit the Egyptians to live"
Asaph speaks of the plague as if it were a person who was going to harm the Egyptians. Alternate translation: "he made them all very ill with the plague"
This phrase refers to the firstborn males of each family. Alternate translation: "the firstborn males"
Here the word "tents" is a metonym for families. The word "Ham" refers to Egypt by the name of their ancestor. Alternate translation: "among the families of Egypt"
The writer continues to describe what God did for the people of Israel.
The writer speaks about the Israelites as if they were sheep. This means God cared for and protected the people like a shepherd does his sheep.
completely covered
The writer continues to describe what God did for the people of Israel.
The words "right hand" are a metonym for power. Alternate translation: "he won for himself using his own power"
Possible meanings are 1) God assigned the Israelites their inheritance in the land in which the other nations had once lived or 2) God assigned to the nations he had driven out an inheritance somewhere else. "gave them land that would always be theirs"
Possible meanings are 1) he settled Israel in their own tents in the land or 2) he settled Israel in the tents from which he had driven the other nations. Most of these "tents" were actually houses, both when the other nations lived in them and when the Israelites lived in them. Alternate translation: "in their homes"
The writer continues to describe what God did for the people of Israel.
These words mean almost the same thing. The writer uses them both to emphasize that the Israelites did not believe that God would either provide for them or punish evil as he had said he would.
They wanted God to prove that he could do what he said he would do before they would believe him. See how you translated this idea in Psalms 78:18.
refused to obey
These words mean almost the same thing. The writer uses them both to emphasize that the Israelites did not do for God what they had said they would do.
The writer continues to describe what God did for the people of Israel.
These two phrases are in parallel and have similar meanings.
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The writer continues to describe what God did for the people of Israel.
Asaph speaks of God's strength and glory as if they were physical objects that people could capture and hold. The words "strength" and "glory" are probably mentonyms for the ark of the covenant. The word "hand" is a metonym for the enemy's power. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "He allowed his enemies to capture the glorious ark of his covenant; he simply gave it to them so they could do whatever they wanted with it"
The writer continues to describe what God did for the people of Israel.
Asaph speaks of God's people as if they were a small object God would give as a gift, and of the sword, a metonym for death in war, as if it were a person who could receive a gift. Alternate translation: "He allowed people to kill all his people in war"
"he was angry with the people he had said would be his forever"
Possible meanings are 1) "The enemy used fire to kill all their young men" or 2) "Their young men died quickly in battle like a fire burns dry grass." Do not communicate that these people used guns.
To "devour" is to eat everything very quickly.
These words refer to people at the time they are the strongest and most attractive.
the celebration when people marry
Here the word "sword" represents soldiers who fought with swords. The phrase "fell by the sword" is an idiom that means to die in battle. Alternate translation: "Their priests died in battle" or "Enemies killed their priests with swords"
Possible meanings are 1) someone forced the widows not to weep or 2) so many priests died that there was no time for proper funerals.
women whose husbands have died
The Lord not acting for a period of time is spoken of as if he were asleep, and his beginning to act is spoken of as if he awakened. Alternate translation: "the Lord began to act as if he had awakened from sleep"
Possible meanings are 1) like a warrior who had drunk too much wine and has become angry because he was awakened and so wants to fight or 2) like a warrior who drank much wine but is now able to think and fight well because he has slept.
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The writer continues to describe what God did for the people of Israel.
Here the word "tent" is a metonym for a family. In this phrase it refers to the descendants of Joseph. Alternate translation: "the descendants of Joseph"
Ephraim was Joseph's son.
Mount Zion was in the land where the tribe of Judah lived.
Possible meanings for this simile are 1) Yahweh has made his sanctuary as high as the heavens. Alternate translation: "He built his sanctuary high, like the heavens" or 2) Yahweh has made his sanctuary as permanent as the heavens. Alternate translation: "He built his sanctuary to last permanently, like the heavens last forever"
The verb may be supplied from the previous line. The writer compares the permanence of Yahweh's sanctuary to the permanence of the earth. Alternate translation: "He built his sanctuary to last permanently, like the earth lasts permanently"
The writer continues to describe what God did
"from where he was working in the sheepfolds"
spaces with walls around them where sheep are kept safe
The word "shepherd" is a metaphor for one who leads and protects other people. Alternate translation: "to lead and protect the descendants of Jacob, his people, and of Israel, his heritage"
"the ones he had chosen to be his forever" See how this is translated in Psalms 78:62.
The word "shepherded" is a metaphor for leading and protecting. Alternate translation: "David led them and protected them"
1 God, foreign nations have come into your inheritance;
they have defiled your holy temple;
they have turned Jerusalem into a heap of ruins.
2 They have given the dead bodies of your servants
as food to the birds of the skies,
the bodies of your faithful ones to the beasts of the earth.
3 They have shed their blood like water around Jerusalem,
and there was none to bury them.
4 We are objects of contempt to our neighbors,
mocking and derision to those who are around us.
5 How long, Yahweh? Will you stay angry forever?
How long will your jealous anger burn like fire?
6 Pour out your wrath on the nations
that do not know you
and on the kingdoms
that do not call upon your name.
7 For they have devoured Jacob
and laid waste his villages.
8 Do not hold the iniquities of our forefathers against us;
may your merciful actions come to us,
for we are very low.
9 Help us, God of our salvation,
for the sake of the glory of your name;
save us and forgive our sins
for your name's sake.
10 Why should the nations say,
"Where is their God?"
May the blood of your servants that was shed
be avenged on the nations before our eyes.
11 May the groans of the prisoners come before you;
with the greatness of your power keep the children of death alive.
12 Pay back into the laps of our neighboring countries seven times as much
as the contempt with which they have taunted you, Lord.
13 So we your people and sheep of your pasture
will give you thanks forever.
We will tell your praises
to all generations.
Psalm 79 is a deliverance psalm and a prayer for revenge against their enemies. (See: deliverer and avenge)
Jerusalem has been destroyed and its people killed. God should destroy these enemy nations who do not pray to him.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"the land that was to be yours forever" See how this is translated in Psalms 68:9.
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The word "blood" is a metonym for innocent life. To shed blood is to kill innocent people. Most people saw water every day, so for blood to be as common as water, many innocent people would have to die. Alternate translation: "They have killed so many innocent people that the blood is everywhere, like water after it rains"
The words "being objects of contempt," "mocking," and "making them ashamed" are metonyms for those who insult, mock, and deride. Alternate translation: "We have become people whom our neighbors treat with contempt; those around us mock and deride us"
The pronoun "We" refers to God's people.
strong laughter to shame a person
This can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "It seems as though your jealous anger will never stop burning like fire."
The abstract noun "anger" can be stated as "angry." Alternate translation: "will you be jealous and angry"
This simile compares the expression of God's anger to a fire that destroys things. Alternate translation: "destroy us"
These two pairs of phrases each share similar meanings and are combined for emphasis.
Asaph speaks of God's wrath as if it were a liquid. Alternate translation: "Since you are angry, punish the nations"
The word "name" is a metonym for the person's power and authority. Alternate translation: "do not belong to you" or "do not ask you to help them"
The word "Jacob" is a mentonym for his descendants, the people of Israel. Alternate translation: "they have completely destroyed the people of Israel"
"Do not continue to remember the sins of our forefathers and punish us for them" or "Forgive us for the sins of our forefathers"
The writer speaks of the people being weak and discouraged as if they were in a low position. Alternate translation: "we are very weak" or "we are very discouraged"
The word "salvation" can be translated with the verb "save": "God who saves us."
The word "name" is a metonym for his reputation, for what people know about him. Alternate translation: "so that people will know about your glory"
God's name here represents his whole being and the honor that he deserves. Alternate translation: "so that people will honor you" or "for your own sake"
This can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "The nations should not be able to say, 'Where is their God?'"
This taunt can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "Their God cannot do anything!"
To shed blood is a metonym for killing innocent people. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: "Avenge your innocent servants whom the nations killed where we can see you do it"
"in our sight" or "while we are present"
Asaph speaks of the sound made by prisoners in pain and sorrow as if it were a person who appears before a king. Alternate translation: "Listen carefully to the groans of the prisoners and help them"
This is an idiom that refers to people who are condemned to death. Alternate translation: "those who are condemned to die"
Asaph speaks of the evil deeds that the neighboring countries did against Israel as "contempt," and as if they were physical items. He asks the Lord to count those deeds, and for every one that the neighboring countries committed, he asks the Lord to have someone do seven evil deeds to the neighboring countries.
"Return" or "Give back"
onto their knees and thighs as they are sitting. This is a metaphor for "directly and personally."
The word "sheep" is a metaphor for helpless people whom a shepherd protects and leads. Alternate translation: "we who are your people, whom you protect and lead, will thank you"
"make sure that all generations to come know all the good things you have done"
This represents the things that people will praise them the Lord for. Alternate translation: "continue to praise you for the things that you have done"
1 Give ear, Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock;
you who sit above the cherubim,
shine on us!
2 In the sight of Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh,
stir up your power;
come and save us.
3 God, restore us;
make your face shine on us,
and we will be saved.
4 Yahweh God of hosts,
how long will you be angry at your people when they pray?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears
and given them tears to drink in great quantities.
6 You make us an object of strife for our neighbors,
and our enemies laugh in mockery about us among themselves.
7 God of hosts, restore us;
make your face shine on us,
and we will be saved.
8 You brought a vine out of Egypt;
you drove out nations and transplanted it.
9 You cleared the land for it;
it took root and filled the land.
10 The mountains were covered with its shade,
the cedars of God by its branches.
11 It sent out its branches as far as the sea
and its shoots to the Euphrates River.
12 Why have you broken down its walls
so that all who pass by along the road pluck its fruit?
13 The boars out of the forest ruin it,
and the beasts of the field feed on it.
14 Turn back, God of hosts;
look down from heaven and take notice
and take care of this vine.
15 This is the root that your right hand planted,
the son that you have strengthened for yourself.
16 It has been burned and cut down;
they perish because of your rebuke.
17 May your hand be on the man of your right hand,
on the son of man whom you strengthened for yourself.
18 Then we will not turn away from you;
revive us, and we will call on your name.
19 Yahweh God of hosts, restore us;
make your face shine on us, and we will be saved.
Psalm 80 is a deliverance psalm. (See: deliverer)
Israel's enemies threaten them. The psalmist asks Yahweh to look down with joy on them, then they will be saved. (See: save)
The author uses an extended metaphor of Israel as a vine planted by God which is being uprooted.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship" See how this is translated in Psalms 4:1.
This may refer to a style of music. See how you translated this in Psalms 45:1.
Asaph is referring to God as the one who leads and protects Israel.
The word "Joseph" refers to the nation of Israel. Asaph speaks of the people as if they were a flock of sheep that Yahweh, who is the shepherd, leads. Alternate translation: "you who lead the descendants of Joseph as though they were a flock of sheep"
Here Joseph represents the nation of Israel.
You may need to make explicit that the cherubim are those on the lid of the ark of the covenant. The biblical writers often spoke of the ark of the covenant as if it were Yahweh's footstool upon which he rested his feet as he sat on his throne in heaven above. Alternate translation: "you who sit on your throne above the cherubim on the ark of the covenant"
Asaph speaks of God as if he were the sun, giving light, a metaphor for moral goodness. Alternate translation: "give us light" or "show us the right way to live"
The phrase "stir up" means to "put into action."
The writer speaks of Yahweh acting favorably towards them as if Yahweh's face shone a light on them. Alternate translation: "act favorably towards us"
This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: "and please save us" or "so that you can save us"
Israel
The words "bread of tears" and "tears to drink" are metaphors for continual sadness. Alternate translation: "You have made sure that they are very sad all the time"
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Asaph is speaking on behalf of the people of Israel. He begins in verse 8 to speak of the way God settled Israel in their land as if God were a man who cleared ground and planted a grapevine. The image of the grapevine continues through verse 16.
The writer speaks of Yahweh acting favorably towards them as if Yahweh's face shone a light on them. See how you translated this in [Psalms 80:3]
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "you will save us"
Asaph compares the nation of Israel to a vine made ready to transplant. Alternate translation: "You brought us, like a vine, out of Egypt"
The psalmist speaks of his people as if they were a plant that Yahweh was transplanting. Alternate translation: "you drove out nations from their land and gave it to us, the vine, and planted us there"
It can be made clear where the nations were that God forced out. Alternate translation: "you forced nations out of this land" or "you forced nations to leave the land of Canaan"
Asaph continues speaking of Israel in their land as if Israel were a grapevine in a vineyard.
"You cleared the land for the vine"
"the vine took root" or "the vine began to grow"
"its branches covered the land"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Its shade covered the mountains, its branches the cedars of God"
"and the cedars of God were covered by its branches," which copies the verb from the previous sentence. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "and its branches covered the cedars of God"
Possible meanings are 1) "the highest cedar trees," the cedar trees that grew on the "mountains" in the land of Lebanon north of Israel, or 2) "God's own cedar trees."
the Mediterranean Sea to the west of Israel
the parts of new plants that are just starting to grow above the ground
Asaph continues speaking of Israel in their land as if Israel were a grapevine in a vineyard.
walls of stone, not of wood
wild pigs that ruin gardens and farms and attack people. If your readers do not know what these are, use the word for a wild animal that ruins gardens and farms and attacks people.
land where there are many trees
wild animals of any kind
land where there are many plants but no trees
Asaph finishes speaking of Israel in their land as if Israel were a grapevine in a vineyard.
The writer wants God to turn back in order to help them. This can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: "Turn back to us" or "Come and help us again"
"look at"
The writer continues comparing the nation of Israel to the vine.
The right hand represents the Yahweh's power and control. Alternate translation: "This is the root that you, Yahweh, planted"
The word "son" here is probably a metaphor for the "shoots" of
Possible meanings are 1) "down; your people perish because of your rebuke." or 2) "down. May your enemies perish because of your rebuke!"
This refers to Yahweh's power and control.
the nation of Israel, which Yahweh has chosen as his people.
When a man in Israel wanted to honor another man, he would have that other man stand at his right side, close to his right hand.
Here "turn away" is a metaphor for rejecting someone. This can also be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "we will not stop worshiping and obeying you" or "we will always worship and obey you"
The writer speaks of Yahweh acting favorably towards them as if Yahweh's face shone a light on them. See how you translated this in [Psalms 80:3]
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "you will save us"
1 Shout joyfullly to God our strength;
shout out for joy to the God of Jacob.
2 Sing a song and play the tambourine,
the pleasant harp with the lute.
3 Blow the ram's horn on the day of the new moon,
on the day of the full moon, when our feast day begins.
4 For it is a statute for Israel,
a decree given by the God of Jacob.
5 He issued it as a regulation in Joseph
when he went against the land of Egypt,
where I heard a voice that I did not recognize:
6 "I removed the burden from his shoulder;
his hands were freed from holding the basket.
7 In your distress you called out, and I helped you;
I answered you from a dark thundercloud.
I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah
8 Listen, my people, for I will warn you,
Israel, if you would only listen to me!
9 There must be no foreign god among you;
you must not worship any foreign god.
10 I am Yahweh your God,
who brought you out of the land of Egypt.
Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.
11 But my people did not listen to my words;
Israel did not obey me.
12 So I gave them over to their own stubborn way
so that they might follow their own devices.
13 Oh, that my people would listen to me;
oh, that my people would walk in my paths.
14 Then I would quickly subdue their enemies
and turn my hand against their oppressors.
15 May those who hate Yahweh cringe in fear before him!
May they be humiliated forever.
16 I would feed Israel with the finest wheat;
I would satisfy you with honey out of the rock."
Psalm 81 is a wisdom psalm. It is meant to be sung at "new moon" and "full moon" ceremonies. (See: wise)
If Israel would obey and worship God, he would destroy their enemies.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
A psalm that Asaph wrote.
"This is for the director of music to use in worship;"
This may refer to a style of music. See how you translated this in Psalms 8:1.
The abstract noun "strength" can be stated as "strong." Alternate translation: "God who causes us to be strong"
Here "Jacob" represents all of his descendants. Alternate translation: "the God of Israel, the nation of Jacob's descendants"
These are musical instruments.
a musical instrument with a head like a drum that can be hit and with pieces of metal around the side that sound when the instrument is shaken
This is the beginning of the lunar month.
This is the middle of the lunar month.
"and on the days when our feasts begin"
Here "it" refers to the feast day.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the God of Jacob decreed it" or "the God of Jacob commanded it"
Here "Jacob" represents all of his descendants. Alternate translation: "the God of Israel, the nation of Jacob's descendants"
"gave it as a law"
Here "Joseph" represents all of the Israelites. Alternate translation: "to the Israelites"
This refers to the historical events in Egypt when the people of Israel were enslaved and God rescued them.
Here "land" represents the people. Alternate translation: "the people of Egypt"
Here God begins speaking.
Here "the burden from his shoulder" represents the forced labor the Israelites had to do as slaves in Egypt.
Here "holding the basket" represents the forced labor the Israelites had to do as slaves in Egypt.
"In your great suffering"
When God came to the Israelites, he hid the fullness of his presence and glory in a dark and threatening cloud.
God tested the children of Israel to see if they would trust him to supply water in the desert of Meribah.
Yahweh reminds the people what he said while they were in the desert.
"because I am giving you a warning"
Here "Israel" represents the people of Israel. Alternate translation: "Israelites" or "people of Israel"
"how I wish you would listen to me" or "but you must start listening to me!"
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God taking care of all the needs of the people is spoken of as if he were a mother bird feeding her baby birds.
Now Yahweh tells what actually happened after he warned the people.
"to what I said" or "to me"
God allowing the people to remain stubborn is spoken of as if God were giving them over to an enemy to let the enemy harm them. Alternate translation: "Therefore, I let them be stubborn"
"they might follow their own plans" or "they might do what they think is right"
God wanting the people to obey him is spoken of as if he wanted the people to walk on his paths or roads. Alternate translation: "I wish that they would obey my laws"
Here "hand" represents Yahweh's power. Alternate translation: "I would destroy" or "I would defeat"
Yahweh is speaking about himself in the third person. Alternate translation: "who hate me ... before me"
"bow down in fear" or "fall down in fear"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I would humiliate them forever" or "I will punish them forever"
God causing the best wheat to grow in Israel is spoken of as if he would literally feed the wheat to the people. Alternate translation: "I would allow the Israelites to eat the finest wheat"
Both "Israel" and "you" refer to the Israelites.
This refers to wild honey. Bees would build hives in the holes in rocks and make the honey there.
1 God stands in the divine assembly;
in the midst of the gods he renders judgment.
2 How long will you judge unjustly
and show favoritism to the wicked? Selah
3 Give justice to the poor and fatherless;
maintain the rights of the afflicted and destitute.
4 Rescue the poor and needy;
take them out of the hand of the wicked.
5 They neither know nor understand;
they wander around in the darkness;
all the foundations of the earth crumble.
6 I said, "You are gods,
and all of you are sons of the Most High.
7 Nevertheless you will die like men
and fall like one of the princes."
8 Arise, God, judge the earth,
for you have an inheritance in all the nations.
Psalm 82 is a psalm of judgment against the leaders of the other nations. (See: judge)
The leaders of the nations need to protect the poor and needy and not to favor the evil rich people. (See: favor and evil)
The leaders of the nations are represented by their gods. (See: and falsegod)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"the heavenly council" or "the meeting in heaven"
"he gives judgment." The abstract noun "judgment" can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: "he judges"
Possible meanings are 1) these are other spiritual beings who dwell in heaven. Alternate translation: "the divine beings" or "the heavenly judges" or 2) these are human judges that God has appointed. Either way, it does not mean they are gods like Yahweh is god. It means God has given them great power and authority. Alternate translation: "the rulers"
Yahweh uses a question to rebuke the gods for not judging people fairly.
These words are nominal adjectives. They can be stated as adjectives. Alternate translation: "those who are poor ... those who are fatherless ... those who are afflicted ... those who are destitute"
"do what is right for the"
These are all nominal adjectives. They can be stated as adjectives. Alternate translation: "those who are poor ... those who are needy ... those who are wicked"
Here the word "hand" represents power or control. Alternate translation: "stop the wicked people from harming them"
Possible meanings are 1) "they" refers to the gods or 2) "they" refers to the wicked people.
Doing what is evil is spoken of as if they were walking in a very dark place.
The gods corrupting the moral order that Yahweh established is spoken of as if the gods were shaking the earth and making it fall apart.
fall apart
Here "gods" refers to the same group as in Psalms 82:1. Whether this refers to spiritual beings or human beings, they are not gods like Yahweh is God, and they are not literally his sons. By calling them "gods" and "sons of the Most High," Yahweh is acknowledging that he has given them great power and authority.
Yahweh is speaking about himself as "the Most High."
"However you"
This is a way of speaking of a person dying.
The writer is speaking again.
Here "earth" represents the people. Alternate translation: "judge the people of the earth"
"for all the nations are your inheritance." Yahweh taking all the people as his own and ruling over them is spoken of as if the nations were a possession that he inherited. Alternate translation: "for you rule over all the people of every nation"
Here "nations" represents the people of the nations.
1 God, do not be silent!
Do not ignore us and remain unmoved, God.
2 Look, your enemies are making a commotion,
and those who hate you have raised their heads.
3 They make shrewd plans against your people
and plan together against your protected ones.
4 They have said, "Come, and let us destroy them as a nation.
Then the name of Israel will no longer be remembered."
5 They schemed together with one strategy;
they made an alliance against you—
6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,
of Moab and the Hagrites, 7 Byblos, [1] Ammon, Amalek;
and also Philistia and the inhabitants of Tyre.
8 Assyria also has joined with them;
they have become an arm for the descendants of Lot. Selah
9 Do to them as you did to Midian,
as you did to Sisera and to Jabin at the Kishon River.
10 They perished at Endor
and became like manure for the earth.
11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb,
and all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna.
12 They said, "Let us take for ourselves
the pastures of God."
13 My God, make them like the whirling dust,
like chaff before the wind,
14 like the fire that burns the forest,
and like the flame that sets the mountains on fire.
15 Chase them with your strong wind,
and terrify them with your windstorm.
16 Fill their faces with shame
so that they might seek your name, Yahweh.
17 May they be put to shame and be terrified forever;
may they perish in disgrace.
18 Then they will know that you alone,
whose name is Yahweh,
are the Most High over all the earth.
Psalm 83 is a deliverance psalm. It is a prayer for deliverance from the many nations allied against Israel. (See: deliverer)
God should destroy these enemy nations like he destroyed Israel's enemies during the time of the Judges.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"do nothing to help us"
Here "making a commotion" means they are rioting and rebelling. Alternate translation: "Look, your enemies are rebelling against you"
The phrase "raised their heads" is way of saying they are rebelling against God. Alternate translation: "those who hate you are defying you"
"those whom you protect." This refers to the Israelites.
Here "name" represents a reputation or the memory of someone. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "no one will ever remember the Israelites existed"
"Your enemies have agreed together with one plan"
"they have joined together against you"
The writer continues to list the people groups who want to destroy Israel.
This refers to the people of Edom who lived in tents.
This is the name of a people group that lived on the east side of the Jordan River.
These all represent the people of each area or tribe. Alternate translation: "the people of Byblos, the Ammonites, the Amalekites ... the Philistines"
This is the name of a region south of the Dead Sea.
This represents the people of Assyria. Alternate translation: "the people of Assyria"
Here "arm" is a metonym that represents "help." Alternate translation: "they have become a help for the descendants of Lot" or "they are helping the descendants of Lot"
This refers to the people of the nations of Moab and Ammon. You can make clear the understood information.
The writer is asking God to defeat Israel's enemies as he has done in the past.
Here "Midian" represents the people of Midian. Alternate translation: "did to the Midianites"
These are names of men. Jabin was king of Hazor. Sisera was the commander of Jabin's army.
This is the name of a river in northern Israel.
This is the name of a town in northern Israel.
This means the bodies of Sisera and Jabin were not buried but were left to rot.
The writer continues to remind God of other enemies he has defeated for Israel in the past.
These are all names of kings.
Here "They" refers to Oreb, Zeeb, Zebah and Zalmunna.
This speaks about the land of Israel as if it were land for sheep to graze and God were the shepherd watching over it.
The writer uses similes to describe God's total destruction of Israel's enemies.
Both statements speak of God destroying his enemies as if he were a strong wind easily blowing them away.
Both statements speak of God's punishment as if it were a fire, and the enemies of God are things that burn in the fire.
Both statements ask God to destroy the enemies with storms.
Here "faces" represents the whole person. Alternate translation: "Make them very ashamed"
Here "name" represents God's power. God's enemies acknowledging that God is powerful is spoken of as if they are seeking to find Yahweh. Alternate translation: "they might acknowledge that you are powerful"
Possible meanings are 1) God's enemies admit that God is powerful or 2) God's enemies are asking God for help or 3) God's enemies start to worship and obey him.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Make them ashamed and terrified forever"
"may they die while they are ashamed"
This can also be stated as the writer making a request to God. Alternate translation: "Cause them to know"
God ruling over everything in the earth is spoken of as if he were elevated higher than everything else. Alternate translation: "are supreme, and you rule all things on the earth"
1 How lovely is the place where you live,
Yahweh of hosts!
2 I long for the courts of Yahweh;
my desire for it has made me exhausted.
My heart and all of my being
shout for joy to the living God.
3 Even the sparrow has found herself a house
and the swallow a nest for herself
where she may lay her young
near your altars, Yahweh of hosts,
my King, and my God.
4 Blessed are they who live in your house;
they praise you continually. Selah
5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the highways up to Zion.
6 As they go through the Valley of Tears
they make it a place of springs.
The early rains cover it with blessings. [1]
7 They go from strength to strength;
every one of them appears before God in Zion.
8 Yahweh God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, God of Jacob! Selah
9 God, watch over our shield;
show concern for your anointed.
10 For one day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God,
than to live within the tents of the wicked.
11 For Yahweh God is our sun and shield;
Yahweh will give grace and glory;
he does not withhold any good thing
from those who walk in integrity.
12 Yahweh of hosts,
blessed is the man who trusts in you.
Psalm 84 is a worship psalm.
God blesses all who want to obey him. Praising God in his temple is better than anything else. (See: bless and temple)
There are many similarities between these psalms and some scholars suggest they were written by the same people.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
This may refer to a style of music. See how you translated this in Psalms 8:1.
"How beautiful"
"I really want to be in the courts of Yahweh"
Here "courts" represent the temple.
"my desire has exhausted me" or "I am tired because I want it so much"
Here "heart" represents the whole person. Alternate translation: "I shout for joy with all of my being"
This means God is living and he also has the power to cause other things to live.
These are types of birds.
"found herself a home" or "made herself a home"
Here the words "has found" or "has made" are understood. Alternate translation: "the swallow has found a nest" or "the swallow has made a nest"
"where she may lay her eggs and care for her babies"
Possible meanings are 1) "they" refers to the priests who permanently serve at the temple or 2) "they" refers to people in general who come and worship at the temple.
"keep praising you again and again"
Here "man" refers to people in general.
God is spoken of as if strength was actually found in him. Alternate translation: "whom you strengthen"
This expression is about heart-felt desire. Alternate translation: "Who love to go up to Zion" or "Who earnestly wish go up to Zion"
roads built higher than the surrounding ground
The temple was in Jerusalem on the top of the highest hill, called Mount Zion.
This refers to a dry, arid place. Some Bible versions have "the Valley of Baca." The word "Baca" means "weeping."
This means the rain that falls in autumn before the cold season. This is during the months of October and November on Western calendars.
Here the word "blessings" is a metonym for the pools of water that make people who live in dry lands happy. Alternate translation: "pools of water that make them happy"
This is a way of saying they get stronger.
Here "They" refers to those who strongly desire to go to the temple to worship God.
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The king who protects his people is spoken of as if he were a shield. Alternate translation: "God, watch over our king"
This can be stated with the understood information. Alternate translation: "I would rather be in your courts for one day than to be somewhere else for a thousand days"
"1,000"
"be a guard at the door" or "stand at the door"
This nominal adjective can be stated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "wicked people" or "those who are wicked"
Yahweh who guides and protects his people is spoken of as if he were the sun and a shield. Alternate translation: "For Yahweh God guides us like the light from the sun, and he protects us like a shield"
The abstract nouns "grace" and "glory" can be stated as verbs. Alternate translation: "Yahweh will be kind to us and honor us"
The way a person conducts their lives or behaves is spoken of as if the person were walking. Alternate translation: "who live honestly" or "who are honest"
Here "man" means people in general. Alternate translation: "blessed are those"
1 Yahweh, you have shown favor to your land;
you have restored the well-being of Jacob.
2 You have forgiven the iniquity of your people;
you have covered all their sin. Selah
3 You have withdrawn all your wrath;
you have turned back from your hot anger.
4 Restore us, God of our salvation,
and let go of your displeasure with us.
5 Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you remain angry throughout future generations?
6 Will you not revive us again?
Then your people will rejoice in you.
7 Show us your covenant faithfulness, Yahweh;
grant us your salvation.
8 I will listen to what Yahweh God says,
for he will make peace with his people, his faithful ones.
Yet they must not turn again to foolish ways.
9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him;
then glory will remain in our land.
10 Steadfast love and faithfulness have met together;
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11 Trustworthiness springs up from the ground,
and righteousness looks down from the sky.
12 Yes, Yahweh will give his good blessings,
and our land will yield its crops.
13 Righteousness will go before him
and make a way for his footsteps.
Psalm 85 is a worship psalm.
God has given so many blessings. If the people stop their sinning, then the land will be filled by the glory of God and his blessings. (See: bless and sin and glory)
Note how this psalm uses the plural to show that it is a group praying.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
Here "land" represents the nation and people of Israel.
This refers to a person being happy, healthy and prosperous.
Here "Jacob" represents Jacob's descendents, the Israelites.
Here sin that is forgiven is spoken of as if it were covered so that it can not be seen. Alternate translation: "you have deliberately forgotten their sin"
This writer thought of himself as belonging to God's people. Alternate translation: "our sin"
God no longer punishing the Israelites is spoken of as if wrath were an object that Yahweh could take away from the Israelites.
God no longer being angry with the Israelites is spoken of as if anger were a fire that God from which God turned away.
The abstract noun "salvation" can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: "God who saves us"
Asking God to stop being angry with the Israelites is spoken of as if displeasure were an object the writer wants God to let go of.
The writer uses these questions to emphasize that he is requesting God to stop being angry with them. These rhetorical questions can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "Please do not stay angry at us forever."
The writer uses a question to emphasize his request to God to make the people of Israel prosper and happy again. This rhetorical question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "Please make us prosper again."
If the sentence is rearranged, the ideas in the abstract noun "covenant faithfulness" can be expressed with the phrase "faithful to your covenant."
This is how the writer wants God to show his faithfulness to his people. If the sentence is rearranged, the ideas in the abstract noun "salvation" can be expressed with the verb "save." Alternate translation: "and save us" or "by saving us"
"have a peaceful relationship with his people" or "bring peace to his people"
A person changing the way he behaves is spoken of as if he were physically turning to a different direction. Alternate translation: "Yet they must not start doing foolish things again"
God being ready to save someone is spoken of as if salvation were an object that God has placed near someone. Alternate translation: "Surely God is ready to save those"
Here "glory" represents God's presence. Alternate translation: "then his glorious presence will remain in our land"
The abstract nouns "love" and "faithfulness" are spoken of as if they were persons who meet together. Possible meanings are 1) God constantly loves his people because of his covenant and has done what he promised to do. Alternate translation: "God has loved his people without ceasing and has proven that he is worthy of people trusting him" or 2) God has been faithful because of his covenant and the people have responded by being faithful to him. Alternate translation: "God has loved his people and his people have responded by trusting him"
Most likely the speaker is describing a time in the future when God causes the people to prosper again. Alternate translation: "will meet together ... will kiss each other"
Possible meanings are 1) the people will do what is right and God will cause the people to live in peace or 2) God will do what is right and will cause the people to live in peace. Either way righteousness and peace are abstract nouns and are spoken of as if they were persons who kiss each other.
This was a common way for friends to greet each other.
The people on earth being faithful to God is spoken of as if trustworthiness were a plant growing out of the ground. The abstract noun "trustworthiness" can be stated as "loyal." Alternate translation: "Here on earth, we will be loyal to God"
The word "righteousness" is an abstract noun, and it is spoken of as a person looking down as God does. Alternate translation: "God will look on us from heaven and will act justly towards us"
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God doing what is right everywhere he goes is spoken of as if righteousness were a person who goes ahead of God and prepares a path for God to walk.
Here "footsteps" represents where God walks.
1 Listen, Yahweh, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
2 Protect me, for I am faithful;
my God, save your servant who trusts in you.
3 Be merciful to me, Lord,
for I cry out to you all day long.
4 Make your servant glad,
for to you, Lord, I lift up my soul.
5 You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive,
abounding in steadfast love to all those who cry out to you.
6 Give ear, Yahweh, to my prayer;
hear the sound of my pleas.
7 In the day of my trouble I call on you,
for you will answer me.
8 There is no one who compares to you among the gods, Lord.
There are no deeds like your deeds.
9 All the nations that you have made
will come and bow before you, Lord.
They will honor your name.
10 For you are great and do wonderful things;
you only are God.
11 Teach me your ways, Yahweh.
Then I will walk in your truth.
Unite my heart
to reverence your name.
12 Lord my God, I will praise you with my whole heart;
I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your covenant faithfulness toward me;
you have rescued my life from the depths of Sheol.
14 God, the arrogant have risen up against me.
A company of violent men seek my life.
They have no regard for you.
15 But you, Lord, are a merciful and gracious God,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
16 Turn toward me and have mercy on me;
give your strength to your servant;
save the son of your servant woman.
17 Show me a sign of your favor.
Then those who hate me will see it and be put to shame
because you, Yahweh, have helped me and comforted me.
Psalm 86 is a deliverance psalm. He is praying for deliverance from his many enemies. (See: deliverer)
God has blessed the psalmist and is so loving to him. He has been one of God's servants. Now he needs God to save him. (See: bless and love and save)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"weak and needy"
David refers to himself as "your servant," that is, God's servant. Alternate translation: "save me, your servant"
This is an exaggeration. David cries out continually, but not literally at all times from dawn to dusk. Alternate translation: "continually"
David refers to himself as "your servant," that is, God's servant. Alternate translation: "Make me, your servant" or "Make me"
The abstract noun "love" can be restated with the verb "loving" Alternate translation: "faithfully loving all those who cry out to you"
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"During my times of difficulty"
"I pray to you"
The writer is not acknowledging these other gods exist. He is referring to false gods that people from other nations worship.
Here "the nations" represent the people. Alternate translation: "The people from all nations"
Here "name" represents the whole person. Alternate translation: "They will honor you"
"very good things that amaze me"
"you are the only God"
A person who obeys what God wants is spoken of as if he were walking on God's way or road. Alternate translation: "Teach me your truth, Yahweh. Then I will obey what you say"
Here "heart" represents a person's thoughts, emotions, and motives. The word "name" is a metonym for the person whose name it is. Asking God to cause a person to respect him completely is spoken of as if the person's heart were in many pieces and that God unites them together. Alternate translation: "Cause me to respect you sincerely with all my heart" or "Cause me to respect you sincerely"
Here "heart" represents a person's thoughts, emotions, and motives. Alternate translation: "I will praise you completely and sincerely"
Here "name" represents the whole person. Alternate translation: "I will glorify you"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be stated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "For you are very faithful to me because of your covenant"
This does not mean God brought him back to life after he died. It means God saved him when he was about to die.
This nominal adjective can be stated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "arrogant people"
"are coming together to harm me"
The word "company" here is a general term for a group of people who are together for a common purpose, not a specific term for people working to do harm.
This is a way of saying they want to kill him.
The abstract nouns "love" and "faithfulness" can be expressed with the verb "love" and the adjective "faithful." Alternate translation: "and always loving your people and always being faithful to them"
Asking God to consider him is spoken of as if he wanted God to turn and look at him.
The abstract noun "strength" can be stated as a verb or an adjective. Alternate translation: "strengthen your servant" or "make your servant strong"
The writer is speaking about himself in the third person.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "they will be ashamed"
1 On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
2 Yahweh loves the gates of Zion
more than all the tents of Jacob.
3 Glorious things are said of you,
city of God. Selah
4 "I mention Rahab and Babylon to my followers.
See, there are Philistia, and Tyre, along with Cush—
and will say, 'This one was born there.'"
5 Of Zion it will be said,
"Each of these was born in her;
and the Most High himself will establish her."
6 Yahweh writes in the census book of the nations,
"This one was born there." Selah
7 So also the singers and the dancers say together,
"All my fountains are in you."
Psalm 87 is a psalm about Jerusalem.
People will be proud to have been born in Jerusalem.
Psalm 46, 48, and 76 are part of a group of psalms that celebrate Jerusalem.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
Here "gates of Zion" represents the entire city of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: "city of Jerusalem"
The people lived in tents while they wandered in the desert. Here the writer uses "tents of Jacob" to represent where the Israelites live now. Alternate translation: "any of the other dwelling places of the Israelites"
The writer speaks to the city of Jerusalem as if it were listening to him. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "You people in Jerusalem, other people say wonderful things about your city"
"I tell about." Here "I" refers to Yahweh.
Here "Rahab" is a poetic way of referring to Egypt. Both "Rahab" and "Babylon" represent the people. Alternate translation: "the people of Egypt and Babylon"
"to those who worship me"
"This one" refers to the people from the nations that the writer mentions. Although they were not physically born in Zion, those who follow God are natives of Jerusalem spiritually.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "People will say about Zion"
People from other nations that worship Yahweh are spoken of as if they were born in Jerusalem. Alternate translation: "It is as though all of these people were born in Jerusalem"
It was common to refer to cities as "her." Alternate translation: "in Jerusalem" or "in Zion"
The writer uses the reflexive pronoun "himself" to emphasize that it is the Most High who is doing this.
"will make Jerusalem strong"
Yahweh acknowledging that the people from other nations belong to him is spoken of as if he were a king writing down the names of the people who live in his city.
"This one" refers to the people from the nations that the writer mentions. Although they were not physically born in Zion, those who follow God are natives of Jerusalem spiritually. See how you translated this in Psalms 87:4.
Jerusalem being a place where people receive all their blessings is spoken of as if Jerusalem were a spring that provided water to the people.
1 Yahweh, God of my salvation,
I cry out day and night before you.
2 Listen to my prayer;
pay attention to my cry.
3 For I am filled with troubles,
and my life has reached Sheol.
4 People treat me like those who go down into the pit;
I am a man with no strength.
5 I am free among the dead;
I am like the dead who lie in the grave,
about whom you care no more
because they are cut off from your power.
6 You place me in the lowest part of the pit,
in the dark and deep places.
7 Your wrath lies heavy on me,
and all your waves crash over me. Selah
8 Because of you, my acquaintances avoid me.
You have made me an abomination to them.
I am hemmed in and I cannot escape.
9 My eyes grow weary from trouble;
All day long I call out to you, Yahweh;
I spread out my hands to you.
10 Will you do wonders for the dead?
Will those who have died rise and praise you? Selah
11 Will your covenant faithfulness be proclaimed in the grave,
your faithfulness in the place of the dead?
12 Will your wonderful deeds be known in the darkness,
or your righteousness in the place of forgetfulness?
13 But I cry to you, Yahweh;
in the morning my prayer comes before you.
14 Yahweh, why do you reject me?
Why do you hide your face from me?
15 I have always been afflicted and on the verge of death since my youth.
I have suffered from your terrors;
I am in despair.
16 Your burning anger has passed over me,
and your terrifying deeds have annihilated me.
17 They surround me like water all the day long;
they have all encircled me.
18 You have removed every friend and acquaintance from me.
My only acquaintance is the darkness.
Psalm 88 is a psalm of deliverance from sickness. (See: deliverer)
Ever since he was a child, the psalmist has been sick, and now all his friends have abandoned him. If he dies he cannot testify about God's healing.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is a psalm that the sons of Korah wrote"
"this is for the director of music to use in worship"
This may refer to a style of music.
This may refer to a style of music. See how you translated this in Psalms 32:1.
This is the name of a man.
The abstract noun "salvation" can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: "you are the one who saves me"
The writer uses these words with opposite meanings to say that he cries out continually.
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The writer speaks of himself as if he were a container and troubles are the contents that fill the container. Alternate translation: "For I am very troubled"
Here "life" represents the writer. And "Sheol" represents death. The writer speaks about himself possibly dying soon as if Sheol were a place and he has arrived at that place. Alternate translation: "I am about to die"
The word "pit" means the same as "Sheol." The phrase "go down into the pit" represents dying. Alternate translation: "people treat me like I have already died"
The word "free" here is the word used for a slave whose master he no longer has to obey. This is probably an ironic metaphor because the word is usually used to describe good things, but here it is used to tell why the writer is unhappy. Alternate translation: "I now share the existence of the dead" or "I am left alone as if I were dead"
This nominal adjective refers to dead people. Alternate translation: "those who have died ... those who have died"
The writer feeling like people and God have abandoned him speaks about himself as if he were already a dead person lying in a grave.
"who no longer receive your care" or "people you have stopped caring about"
God no longer using his power to help dead people is spoken of as if God literally cut him off or removed him from his power. Alternate translation: "you no longer use your power to help them"
The writer feeling like God has abandoned him speaks about himself as if God has put the him in the deepest and darkest grave.
This speaks about God being very angry with the writer as if God's wrath were a heavy object lying on top of the writer. Alternate translation: "I feel your great anger" or "I feel how very angry you are with me"
This speaks about God being very angry with the writer as if God's anger were large waves rising up from the sea then landing on the writer.
"those who know me"
The words "abomination" here is a hyperbolic metaphor. The psalmist's friends find him disgusting, but probably not in any religious sense. Alternate translation: "You have made me a disgusting sight to them" or "Because of you, they are shocked when they see me"
The writer's physical condition that makes him repulsive to his friends is spoken of as if he were in closed into a confining space. Alternate translation: "It is as though I were in a prison" or "I am trapped"
Here "eyes" represents a person's ability to see. For his eyes to grow weary from trouble is a way of saying that he his troubles cause him to cry so much that it is hard for him to see.
"I lift up my hands to you." This is an action that shows that he totally depends on God.
The writer uses a question to emphasize that if God lets him die then God will no longer be able to do wonderful things for him. Alternate translation: "You do not do wonders for dead people."
The writer uses a question to emphasize that if God lets him die then he will not be able to praise God any longer. Alternate translation: "You know that those who have died will not stand up and praise you."
Both questions mean the same thing. The writer uses questions to emphasize that a dead person is not able to praise God's faithfulness. The abstract nouns "covenant faithfulness" and "faithfulness" can be translated as adjectives. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Nobody will proclaim your covenant faithfulness or faithfulness from the grave." or "Nobody will proclaim from the grave that you are faithful to your covenant and faithful to your people"
These represent the place where people go after they die.
This can be translated as a separate sentence. Alternate translation: "Will your faithfulness be proclaimed in the place of the dead?" or "Those who are dead will not proclaim your faithfulness."
These represent the place where people go after they die.
Both questions mean the same thing. The writer uses questions to emphasize that those who are dead are not able to experience or proclaim the great things God does. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "People will not talk about your wonderful deeds and righteousness in the dark place of the forgotten dead."
This can be translated as a separate sentence. Alternate translation: "Will your righteousness be known in the place of forgetfulness?" or "Those who are in the place of forgetfulness will not know about the righteous things you do."
The writer praying to Yahweh is spoken of as if the prayer itself goes to speak with Yahweh.
This speaks of the writer feeling like God has rejected or abandoned him as if God were hiding his face or physically turning away from the writer.
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The phrase "burning anger" is a metonym for the deeds that God did because he was angry. It is also a metaphor that speaks of God punishing the writer as if God's actions are a large wave rising out of the sea that fall on and crush the writer. Alternate translation: "It is as if your angry actions crush me"
This exaggeration speaks about God punishing the writer as if God has completely destroyed the writer. Alternate translation: "the terrifying things you do have destroyed me" or "the terrifying things you do have almost destroyed me"
The writer compares God's "angry actions" and "terrifying deeds" to a flood of water. Alternate translation: "All day long they threaten to destroy me like a flood"
The word "They" refers to God's "angry actions" and "terrifying deeds" from the previous verse.
The writer speaks of God's "angry actions" and "terrifying deeds" as if they were enemies who were trying to capture and kill him. Alternate translation: "they have surrounded me like enemy soldiers"
"every person I love and know"
This speaks about darkness as if it were a person that could be friends with someone else. The writer is emphasizing that he feels completely alone. Alternate translation: "Everywhere I go it is dark"
1 I will sing of Yahweh's acts of covenant faithfulness forever.
I will proclaim your truthfulness to future generations.
2 For I have said, “Covenant faithfulness has been established forever;
your truthfulness you have established in the heavens.”
3 You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have made an oath to David my servant:
4 ‘I will establish your descendants forever,
and I will establish your throne through all generations.‘” Selah
5 The heavens praise your wonders, Yahweh;
your truthfulness is praised in the assembly of the holy ones.
6 For who in the skies can be compared to Yahweh?
Who among the sons of the gods is like Yahweh?
7 He is a God who is greatly honored in the council of the holy ones
and is awesome among all who surround him.
8 Yahweh God of hosts,
who is strong like Yah? [1]
Your truthfulness surrounds you.
9 You rule the raging sea;
when the waves surge, you calm them.
10 You crushed Rahab as one who is killed.
You scattered your enemies with your strong arm.
11 The heavens belong to you, and the earth also.
You established the world and all it contains.
12 You created the north and the south.
Tabor and Hermon rejoice in your name.
13 You have a mighty arm
and a strong hand, and your right hand is high.
14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne.
Steadfast love and faithfulness come before you.
15 Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound!
Yahweh, they walk in the light of your face.
16 They rejoice in your name all day long,
and in your righteousness they exalt you.
17 You are their glorious strength,
and by your favor our horn is exalted.
18 For our shield belongs to Yahweh;
our king belongs to the Holy One of Israel.
19 Long ago you spoke in a vision
to your faithful ones; [2]
you said, "I have set a crown on a mighty one." [3]
I have raised up one chosen from among the people.
20 I have chosen David my servant;
with my holy oil have I anointed him.
21 My hand will support him;
my arm will strengthen him.
22 No enemy will deceive him;
no son of wickedness will oppress him.
23 I will crush his enemies before him;
I will kill those who hate him.
24 My truth and my covenant faithfulness will be with him;
by my name his horn will be exalted.
25 I will place his hand over the sea
and his right hand over the rivers.
26 He will call out to me, 'You are my Father,
my God, and the rock of my salvation.'
27 I also will place him as my firstborn son,
the most exalted of the kings of the earth.
28 I will extend my covenant faithfulness to him forever;
and my covenant with him will be secure.
29 I will make his descendants endure forever
and his throne as enduring as the skies above.
30 If his children abandon my law
and do not walk in my regulations,
31 if they break my rules
and do not keep my commands,
32 then will I punish their rebellion with a rod
and their iniquity with blows.
33 But I will not remove my steadfast love from him
or be unfaithful to my promise.
34 I will not break my covenant
or change the words of my lips.
35 Once and for all I have sworn by my holiness—
I will not lie to David:
36 his descendants will continue forever
and his throne as long as the sun before me.
37 It will be established forever like the moon,
the faithful witness in the sky." Selah
38 But you have refused and rejected;
you have been angry with your anointed king.
39 You have renounced the covenant of your servant.
You have desecrated his crown on the ground.
40 You have broken down all his walls.
You have ruined his strongholds.
41 All who pass by have robbed him.
He has become the scorn of his neighbors.
42 You have raised the right hand of his enemies;
you have made all his enemies rejoice.
43 You turn back the edge of his sword
and have not made him stand when in battle.
44 You have brought his splendor to an end;
you have brought down his throne to the ground.
45 You have shortened the days of his youth.
You have covered him with shame. Selah
46 How long, Yahweh? Will you hide yourself forever?
How long will your anger burn like fire?
47 Oh, think about how short my time is,
and for what vanity you have created all the children of mankind!
48 Who can live and not die,
or rescue his own life from the hand of Sheol? Selah
49 Lord, where are your former acts of covenant faithfulness
that you swore to David in your truthfulness?
50 Call to mind, Lord, the mocking directed against your servants
and how I bear in my heart so many insults from the nations.
51 Your enemies hurl insults, Yahweh;
they mock the footsteps of your anointed one.
52 Blessed be Yahweh forever.
Amen and Amen.
Psalm 89 is a worship and a deliverance psalm. (See: deliverer)
God is mighty and has promised David an eternal kingdom. But now that kingdom is being destroyed. (See: promise and eternity)
This psalm exhibits the kind of parallelism where the second line often emphasizes the first line.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
This may refer to a style of music. See how you translated this in Psalms 32:1.
This is the name of the writer.
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be stated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "faithful acts" or "loving acts"
God always doing what he promised to do is spoken of as if his faithfulness were a building that God has built and made firm. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "You will always be faithful because of your covenant with us"
God always doing what he promised to do is spoken of as if his faithfulness were a building that God has built and made firm.
These words could refer to 1) God's dwelling place, meaning that God rules from heaven and he always does what he promises, or 2) the sky, meaning that God's promises are as constant and permanent as the sky .
You can make explicit that "chosen one" refers to David. Alternate translation: "I made a promise to David, the one I chose"
Yahweh is speaking in 89:3-4.
Yahweh always causing one of David's descendants to be king is spoken of as if David's descendants are a building that Yahweh will build and make firm.
Here "throne" represents the power to rule as king. The psalmist speaks of God promising that one of David's descendants will always rule as king as if God will build David's throne and make it firm. Alternate translation: "I will make sure that one of your descendants will rule as king over every generation of my people"
Here "heavens" represents those who are in heaven.
"praise you, Yahweh, because of the wonderful things you do"
The abstract noun "truthfulness" can be stated as "you always do what you promise to do." This can also be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "The assembly of the holy ones praises you because you always do what you promise to do"
This refers to the angels in heaven.
Both questions mean the same thing. The writer is using question to emphasize that there in no one in heaven like Yahweh.
Here "sons of" means having the characteristics of. This is a way of referring to other spiritual beings that live in heaven. Alternate translation: "angels" or "divine beings"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "The council of the holy ones greatly honors God"
"the gathering of heavenly beings" or "the gathering of angels"
The writer asks the question to emphasize there is no one as strong as Yahweh.
Yahweh always dong what he promises to do is spoken of as if his truthfulness were a cloak or garment that wraps around him.
"You control the raging sea"
The word "Rahab" here refers to a monster of the sea.
Here "arm" represents power. Alternate translation: "with your great power"
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The writer uses the words "north" and "south" together to mean that God created everything everywhere.
Tabor is a mountain southwest of the sea of Galilee and Hermon is a mountain northeast of the sea of Galilee. The writer describes these mountains as if they were persons who could rejoice. Alternate translation: "It is as if Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon were rejoicing in your name"
Here "name" represents the whole person. Alternate translation: "in you"
The words "mighty arm," "strong hand," and "right hand" all represent God's power.
To raise the right hand high into the air is a gesture that indicates power.
God ruling as king and doing what is right and just is spoken of as if God's throne were a building, and righteousness and justice were its foundation.
The throne represents God's rule as king.
The abstract nouns "love" and "faithfulness" are spoken of as if they come and meet with God. Alternate translation: "You are always faithful to your covenant and are worthy of people trusting you"
Here the words "joyful sound" refer to the sound of people shouting and blowing horns. These were common acts of worship during Israelite festivals.
Here people living their lives is spoken of as if they were walking. Alternate translation: "they live"
The writer speaks of Yahweh acting favorably towards them as if Yahweh's face shone a light on them. Alternate translation: "knowing that you act favorably towards them"
Here "name" represents the person. Alternate translation: "in you"
The abstract noun "righteousness" can be stated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "they exalt you because you always do what is right"
The abstract noun "strength" can be stated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "You make them wonderfully strong"
Here "their" refers to the Israelites. The writer would have included himself as a member of the Israelites. Alternate translation: "You are our"
This metaphor speaks of the Israelites winning a battle as if they were a wild ox that has defeated an enemy. Alternate translation: "we win the battle"
Here "our" refers to the writer and the Israelites but not to Yahweh, to whom he speaks.
The king who protects his people and whom Yahweh chose is spoken of as if he were a shield that belongs to Yahweh.
The writer assumes that the reader knows the history of how David became the chosen king.
To place a crown on a person's head is a sign of making him king. Alternate translation: "I have made a mighty man king"
Some Bible translations have "given strength to a mighty one" or "helped a mighty one."
Here "raised up" means appointed. It is implied that God chose this person to be king. Alternate translation: "I have chosen one from among the people to be king"
Here to pour oil on someone's head is a sign that God is appointing the person to be king.
Here "hand" and "arm" both means the power and control of Yahweh. Alternate translation: "I will support him and make him strong"
The writer refers to those who have the nature or character of wickedness as "sons of wickedness." Alternate translation: "wicked person"
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Yahweh continues speaking about David.
God always being loyal and doing what he promises for David is spoken of as if truth and faithfulness were objects that would be with David. The abstract nouns "truth" and "faithfulness" can be translated as adjectives. Alternate translation: "I will always be truthful with him and I will always act faithfully towards him"
Here "name" represents God' power. Alternate translation: "I, God, will cause him to be victorious"
This metaphor speaks of David winning a battle as if he were a wild ox that has defeated an enemy. See how you translated similar words in [Psalm 89:17]
Here "hand" and "right hand" represent power and authority. Here "the sea" seems to refer to the Mediterranean Sea west of Israel, and "rivers" refers to the Euphrates river in the east. This means David will have authority over everything from the sea to the river. Alternate translation: "I will give him authority over everything from the Mediterranean sea to the Euphrates river"
This has a quotation within a quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: "He will say that I am his Father, his God, and the rock of his salvation."
Yahweh protecting and saving David is spoken of as if Yahweh were a high rock that David could stand on top of for protection from enemies.
Yahweh continues speaking about David.
Yahweh giving David special rank and privileges over all other people is spoken of as if David would be Yahweh's firstborn son.
Yahweh speaks of continuing to act faithfully towards David is spoken of as if Yahweh's covenant faithfulness were an object that he extends or makes longer. The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adverb. Alternate translation: "I will continue to act faithfully towards him forever"
Someone from David's family always ruling as king is spoken of as if his his throne would last as long as the sky will last.
Here "throne" represents the power to rule as king.
"David's descendants"
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God punishing David's descendants is spoken of as if he would hit them with a rod. The abstract noun "rebellion" can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: "punish them for rebelling against me"
God punishing David's descendants is spoken of as if God would literally hit them. This can be stated as a complete sentence. Alternate translation: "I will punish them because they sinned against me"
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "I will always love David, and I will do what I promised to him"
Here "lips" represent the whole mouth and the person speaking. Alternate translation: "what I said"
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The words "will continue" are understood. Alternate translation: "his throne will continue as long as the sun before me"
Here "throne" represents the power to rule as king. God is promising that one of David's descendants will always be king.
God compares David's rule as king to the sun to emphasize that someone from David's descendants will always rule as king.
Here "It" stands for David's throne or power to rule as king. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I will cause it to last forever"
God compares David's rule as king to the moon to emphasize that someone from David's descendants will always rule as king.
The moon is spoken of as if it were a person who witnesses God making this promise to David. Alternate translation: "the moon, which is like a faithful witness in the sky"
The words "the king" are understood. Alternate translation: "you have refused and rejected the king"
"with the king you chose"
"You have rejected the covenant"
To push down into the ground or dust is a sign of great humiliation. Alternate translation: "You have defiled his crown on the ground" or "You have caused his crown to fall into the dirt"
This represents the king's power as king and his right to rule.
This implies that God allowed enemies to destroy the defenses at Jerusalem. Alternate translation: "You have allowed enemies to break down his walls and ruin his strongholds in Jerusalem"
The abstract noun "scorn" may be translated using a verb. The metonymy speaks of the king as if he were the way that his neighbors react to him. Alternate translation: "the one whom his neighbors scorn" or "the one his neighbors mock"
Here "neighbors" means people of nearby nations.
Here "right hand" represents power. To "raise the right hand" means that Yahweh has made his enemies strong enough to defeat God's chosen king.
Here "sword" represents the king's power in battle. To turn the sword back represents making the king unable to win in battle.
Here "edge" represents the whole sword. Alternate translation: "his sword"
Here "stand" represents being victorious in battle. Alternate translation: "You have not helped him to be victorious in battle"
Here "throne" represents the power to rule as king. Alternate translation: "you, Yahweh, have ended his reign as king"
This is a way of saying God made the king seem old even while he was still young. Alternate translation: "Even while he is young you have made him weak like an old man"
"the time when he was young and strong"
Yahweh completely humiliating the king is spoken of as if shame were a garment that God used to cover the king.
The writer uses these questions to emphasize that he does not want God to continue to refuse the king. Alternate translation: "Please, Yahweh, do not refuse to help the king forever."
God not helping the king is spoken of as if God were hiding from him. Alternate translation: "Will you refuse to help the king"
The writer uses a question to emphasize that he does not want God to remain angry. Alternate translation: "Please do not continue being angry"
God being very angry is spoken of as if his anger were a hot fire.
The abstract noun "vanity" can be stated as "short life." Alternate translation: "that you have created all people for such a short life"
This refers to humans in general. Alternate translation: "humans" or "people"
The writer uses these questions to emphasize that all people will die. Alternate translation: "No one can live forever or bring himself back to life after dying"
Here "hand" refers to power. The writer speaks of Sheol as if it were a person who has power over those who die. Possible meanings are 1) a person cannot bring himself back to life after dying or 2) a person cannot keep himself from dying.
The writer uses a question to request the Lord to be faithful to his covenant with David. Alternate translation: "Lord, be faithful to your covenant with David as you have been in the past"
The abstract nouns "acts" and "faithfulness" can be translated with a verb and an adverb. Alternate translation: "the things that you did before that showed that you are faithful to your covenant"
The writer asks Yahweh to bring this up in his memory. Alternate translation: "Remember" or "Consider"
Here "your servants" refers to the people of Israel. Alternate translation: "how they mock us, your servants"
Here "heart" represents the person's emotions. Alternate translation: "I endure so many insults from the people of the nations" or "I suffer because the people from the nations insult me"
Here "nations" represents the people of the nations.
The enemies shouting insults at the king is spoken of as if insults were an object that the enemies throw violently at the king.
Here "footsteps" represents where the king goes. Alternate translation: "they mock your anointed one wherever he goes"
This verse is more than the end of this psalm. It is the closing statement for all of Book 3 of the Psalms, which starts at Psalm 73 and ends with Psalm 89.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "May people praise Yahweh forever"
The word "Amen" is repeated to emphasize approval of what has been said. See how you translated this in Psalms 41:13.
1 Lord, you have been our refuge
throughout all generations.
2 Before the mountains were formed,
or you formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.
3 You return man to dust,
and you say, "Return, you descendants of mankind."
4 For a thousand years in your sight
are as yesterday when it is past,
and as a watch in the night.
5 You sweep them away as with a flood and they sleep;
in the morning they are like the grass that sprouts up.
6 In the morning it blooms and grows up;
in the evening it withers and dries up.
7 Truly, we are consumed in your anger,
and in your wrath we are terrified.
8 You have set our iniquities before you,
our hidden sins in the light of your presence.
9 Our life passes away under your wrath;
our years quickly pass like a sigh.
10 Our years are seventy,
or even eighty if we are healthy;
but even our best years are marked by trouble and sorrow.
Yes, they pass quickly, and we fly away.
11 Who knows the power of your anger,
and your wrath that is equal to the fear of you?
12 So teach us to consider our life
so that we might gain a heart of wisdom.
13 Turn back, Yahweh! How long will it be?
Have pity on your servants.
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your covenant faithfulness
so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad in proportion to the days you afflicted us
and to the years we have experienced trouble.
16 Let your servants see your work,
and let our children see your majesty.
17 May the favor of the Lord our God be ours;
prosper the work of our hands;
indeed, prosper the work of our hands.
Psalm is a wisdom psalm. God is eternal but a human's life is short. (See: wise and eternity)
Because life is so short, people need to spend it as God wants them to spend it.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
God protecting his people is spoken of as if God were a refuge or shelter. Alternate translation: "Lord, you have been like a shelter for us"
"always"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Before you formed the mountains"
"were created" or "were shaped"
This represents everything that is in the world.
This phrase represents all time past, present, and future.
This implies that just as God created the first man, Adam, from the soil, God will cause people's bodies to turn back into soil after they die. Alternate translation: "You return people to dust when they die"
Here "man" means people in general.
The words "to dust" or "to soil" are understood. Alternate translation: "Return to dust, you descendants" or "Return to soil, you descendants"
This is a way of referring to humans in general. Alternate translation: "you humans" or "you people"
The writer means that a long period of time seems like a short period of time to God. Alternate translation: "You consider a thousand years the same as one day in the past, or as a few short hours in the night" or "Even a thousand years is not a long time to you"
"1,000 years"
Here sight represents judgment or evaluation. Alternate translation: "to you"
God causing people to die suddenly is spoken of as if he swept them away with a broom. This sweeping is also spoken of as if it were a flood that carried people away. Alternate translation: "Lord, you destroy the people as with a flood and they die"
This is a polite way of speaking of people dying.
Both of these phrases refer to how the grass grows. Alternate translation: "it begins to grow and develop"
Both of these phrases refer to how the grass dies. Alternate translation: "it fades and dries up"
God destroying people in his anger is spoken of as if God's anger were a fire that completely burns up the people. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "You destroy us in your anger"
"when you are angry we are greatly afraid"
God considering people's sins is spoken of as if sins were an objects he could place in front of himself and look at them. Alternate translation: "You see every sinful thing we do, even the sinful things we do in secret"
The word "because" can be used to make clear that God's wrath causes human life to end. Alternate translation: "Our lives come to an end because of your wrath"
The writer compares human life to a sigh to emphasize that life is very brief.
"70"
"80"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Even in our best years we experience trouble and sorrow"
This is a polite way of referring to people dying. Alternate translation: "we die"
The writer uses a question to emphasize that no one has fully experienced God anger. Therefore no one truly reveres God and fears his anger when people sin. Alternate translation: "No one knows the power of your anger. Therefore no one fears your wrath when they sin."
The word "heart" is a metonym for the person's thoughts and feelings. Alternate translation: "we might want to be wise and act wisely"
Asking Yahweh to no longer be angry is spoken of as if the writer wants God to turn physically away from his anger. Alternate translation: "Yahweh, please do not be angry any longer"
The writer uses a question to state that he wants God to stop being angry.
Here "your servants" refers to the people of Israel. Alternate translation: "Be merciful to us, your servants"
"Satisfy us every morning"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be stated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "by being faithful because of your covenant with us"
Both of these phrases mean the same thing. The writer is asking Yahweh to make them happy for the same amount of time he punished them. Alternate translation: "for the same amount of time that you afflicted us and caused us to suffer"
Here "your servants" refer to the people of Israel. Alternate translation: "Let us, your servants" or "Let us"
Here "children" means children and descendants.
The abstract noun "majesty" can be stated as "great things." Alternate translation: "see the great things you do"
The abstract noun "favor" can be stated as "be kind." Alternate translation: "May the Lord our God be kind to us"
Here "hands" represents the whole person. Alternate translation: "cause us to be successful"
1 He who lives in the shelter of the Most High
will stay in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of Yahweh, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
3 For he will rescue you
from the snare of the hunter
and from the destructive plague.
4 He will cover you with his wings,
and under his wings you will find refuge.
His faithfulness is a shield and protection.
5 You will not be afraid of terror in the night,
or of the arrow that flies by day,
6 or of the plague that stalks in the darkness,
or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.
7 A thousand may fall at your side
and ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not reach you.
8 You will only observe
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 For Yahweh is my refuge!
Make the Most High your refuge also.
10 No evil will overtake you;
no affliction will come near your tent.
11 For he will put his angels in charge over you,
to guard you in all your ways.
12 They will lift you up with their hand
so that you will not hit your foot on a stone.
13 You will crush lions and asps under your feet;
you will trample on young lions and serpents.
14 Because he delights in me, I will rescue him.
I will protect him because he acknowledges my name.
15 When he calls to me, I will answer him.
I will be with him in trouble;
I will give him victory and will honor him.
16 I will satisfy him with the length of his days,
and show him my salvation.
Psalm 91 is a wisdom psalm. Those who depend on God are protected by him. (See: wise)
No matter what dangers befall a person, they do not need to fear. God is protecting them from all harm.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
Because "live" and "stay" mean almost the same thing, as do "shelter" and "shadow," which are both metaphors for protection, you may need to combine the two lines into one. Alternate translation: "The Most High, the Almighty, will care for all those who live where he can protect them"
The word "shelter" is a metaphor for protection. Alternate translation: "who lives where the Most High protects him"
The words "the Most High" refer to Yahweh. See how this is translated in Psalms 18:13.
The word "shadow" here is a metaphor for protection. Alternate translation: "will stay where the Almighty can protect him"
the one who has power and control over everything. See how this was translated in Psalms 68:14
"I will say about Yahweh"
A "refuge" is any place a person can go and have someone or something protect him. A "fortress" is something that people make so they can protect themselves and their property. Asaph uses them here as metaphors for protection. Alternate translation: "the one to whom I can go and he will protect me"
The words that have been left out can be put in. Alternate translation: "For God will rescue you from the snare of the hunter and he will rescue you from the plagues that can destroy you"
deadly
"from the snare that the hunter has set to catch you"
God's protection is here referred to as "wings" which a bird uses to cover its' young from danger. "Cover you with his wings" and "under his wings" mean basically the same thing. Alternate translation: "He will keep you safe and protect you"
God's faithfulness is here referred to as a "shield" which can protect people who rely on him. The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be stated as "trust." Alternate translation: "You can trust him to protect you"
No one knows for sure what this word means. Possible meanings are 1) a small shield strapped to the forearm that soldiers used to defend themselves against arrows and swords or 2) a wall of stones set in a circle inside which soldiers could hide and shoot arrows.
The psalmist speaks of "terror" as if it were a spirit or fierce animal that could attack at night and so terrify people. Alternate translation: "things attacking you at night"
These two phrases taken together refer to all possible times of night and day.
"Arrow" here is a metonym for the people who shoot the arrows. Alternate translation: "people attacking you with arrows during the day"
The psalmist speaks of illness as if it were a person who went about at night killing other people. Alternate translation: "You will not be afraid of dying from illness"
sneaks up to attack prey or a victim
These two phrases taken together refer to all possible times of night and day.
an illness that makes many people ill at the same time
"Many people may fall all around you." If translating the exact numbers confuses the readers, you may omit them.
"the evil will not harm you"
"You yourself will not suffer, but you will watch carefully, and you will see"
The abstract noun "punishment" can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: "how God punishes the wicked"
The writer speaks of Yahweh protecting him as if Yahweh were a safe place for him to find protection from his enemies. Alternate translation: "Yahweh protects me, like a person finds protection in a place of refuge"
"You should make the Most High your refuge also." The psalmist stops speaking to God and speaks to the reader.
The writer speaks of a person experiencing bad or evil things as if evil were a person who overtakes another person. Alternate translation: "Nothing evil will happen to you"
The psalmist speaks of people who afflict others as though they were the harm they cause. Alternate translation: "no one will be able to harm your family"
This is an idiom. The Israelites were living in solid houses when this was written. Alternate translation: "home"
The psalmist speaks of the way a person lives his life as if it were a path down which the person walked. Alternate translation: "in everything you do" or "at all times"
"Yahweh's angels will lift you"
The angels will protect not only the reader's foot but the rest of his body as well. The words "not ... hit your foot on a stone" is an exaggerated metonym to say that not even small bad things will happen. This should probably not be taken as a promise that no bad things will ever happen again. Alternate translation: "you will not even hit your foot on a stone" or "not even the smallest bad thing will happen to you"
Where "hit your foot on a stone" is a minor problem, lions and snake are examples of great dangers. The psalmist speaks of lions and snakes as if they were small enough to be crushed under a person's foot. Alternate translation: "You will be able kill lions and asps as if they were small animals you could crush under your feet"
types of poisonous snake.
crush by walking heavily on
"he is loyal to me" or "he considers me holy"
This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: "I will be with him when he is in trouble"
The abstract noun "victory" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "I will cause him to be victorious" or "I will enable him to defeat his enemies"
The idiom "the length of his days" here refers to the duration of his life. It may imply a long life. Alternate translation: "I will satisfy him by giving him a long life" or "I will make him happy by letting him live a very long time"
"and I will show him my salvation." The psalmist speaks of the work God does to save people as if it were a physical object. Alternate translation: "I will save him so that he knows I am the one who saved him"
1 It is a good thing to give thanks to Yahweh
and to sing praises to your name, Most High,
2 to proclaim your covenant faithfulness in the morning
and your truthfulness every night,
3 with a lute of ten strings
and the resounding music of the harp.
4 For you, Yahweh, have made me glad through your deeds.
I will sing for joy because of the deeds of your hands.
5 How great are your deeds, Yahweh!
Your thoughts are very deep.
6 A brutish person does not know,
nor does a fool understand this:
7 When the wicked sprout like the grass,
and even when all those who behave wickedly thrive,
still they are doomed to eternal destruction.
8 But you, Yahweh, will reign forever.
9 Indeed, look at your enemies, Yahweh!
Indeed, look at your enemies. They will perish!
All those who behave wickedly will be scattered.
10 You have lifted up my horn like the horn of the wild ox;
I am anointed with fresh oil.
11 My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies;
my ears have heard of the doom of my evil foes.
12 The righteous will flourish like the palm tree;
they will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 They are planted in the house of Yahweh;
they flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They bear fruit even when they are old;
they stay fresh and green,
15 to proclaim that Yahweh is just.
He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
Psalm 92 is a psalm of praise for God's kindness and faithfulness. (See: faithful)
God causes evil people to be destroyed and good people to be happy and useful, even after they grow old. (See: justice and evil)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
The words "your name" are a metonym for "you." Alternate translation: "to sing praises to you"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with the adjective "faithful." Alternate translation: "proclaim in the morning that you are faithful to your covenant"
The verb may be supplied from the previous phrase. The abstract noun "truthfulness" can be translated with the adjective "true." Alternate translation: "proclaim every night that everything you say is true"
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happy
The abstract noun phrase "your deeds" can be translated with the relative clause "what you have done." Alternate translation: "by what you have done"
The abstract noun phrase "the deeds of your hands" can be translated with the relative clause "what your hands have done." The word "hands" is a synecdoche for the whole person. Alternate translation: "What you have done"
The abstract noun phrase "your deeds" can be translated with a relative clause. Alternate translation: "what you have done"
"We cannot understand what you plan to do until you do it"
The abstract noun phrase "your thoughts" can be translated with a relative clause. Alternate translation: "What you think" or "What you plan"
animal-like
This compares evil people to grass, which grows quickly and in many places. Alternate translation: "When evil people appear quickly and seem to be everywhere, like grass"
This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: "God has decided that he will destroy them completely"
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Many texts do not have these words.
"They will die" or "You will kill them"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "you will scatter all those who behave wickedly"
Many texts read, "have been scattered."
"driven away"
The psalmist speaks of God as if he had made him as strong as a wild animal. Here his "horn" represents his strength. Alternate translation: "You have made me as strong as a wild ox"
Possible meanings are that the oil that God has put on the psalmist is a metaphor for God 1) making him happy "you have made me very happy" or 2) making him strong, "you have made me strong" or 3) enabling him to defeat his enemies, "you have enabled me to defeat my enemies."
The words "eyes" and "ears" are synecdoches for the person who sees and hears. The lines may be combined. Alternate translation: "I have seen and heard of the defeat of my evil enemies"
Possible meanings are that righteous people will be like a healthy palm tree because they will 1) be strong or 2) live for long time.
Possible meanings are that righteous people will be like a healthy cedar tree growing in the land of Lebanon because 1) they will be strong or 2) people will honor them.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Yahweh has planted them" or "Yahweh takes care of them as if they were trees he had planted"
The psalmist speaks of people who truly worship God as if they were trees growing in Yahweh's house.
The psalmist speaks of righteous people as if they were healthy trees. Alternate translation: "they are growing well" or "they are very strong"
in the courtyard of the temple in Jerusalem.
The psalmist speaks of righteous people as if they were trees that produce food. Alternate translation: "They please God"
The psalmist speaks of righteous people as if they were trees. Alternate translation: "they remain strong and healthy" or "they always do what pleases God"
These words continue the thought begun by the words "they stay fresh and green" in (Psalms 92:14). Possible meanings are 1) "they stay fresh and green, so that they can proclaim" or 2) "they stay fresh and green. This shows that."
"Yahweh is the one who protects me." The psalmist speaks of Yahweh as if he were a rock that would protect him. See how this is translated in [Psalms 18:2]
1 Yahweh reigns; he is robed in majesty;
Yahweh has clothed and girded himself with strength.
The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.
2 Your throne is established from ancient times;
you are from everlasting.
3 The oceans rise, Yahweh;
they have lifted up their voice;
the oceans' waves crash and roar.
4 Above the crashing of many waves,
the mighty breakers of the sea,
Yahweh on high is mighty.
5 Your solemn commands are very trustworthy;
holiness adorns your house,
Yahweh, for the length of your days.
Psalm 93 is a worship psalm about the power of Yahweh.
Yahweh is all powerful; He even controls the ocean.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
The psalmist speaks of Yahweh's strength and majesty as if they were things Yahweh wears. Alternate translation: "he shows everyone that he is a powerful king" or "his majesty is there for all to see, like the robe a king wears; everything about Yahweh shows that he is strong and he is ready to do great work"
the power of a king and the way a king acts
put on a belt—a band of leather or another material that a person wears around his waist—to prepare for work or battle
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "You have firmly established the world"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "no one will ever move it"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "You established your throne in ancient times"
"you have always existed"
Some modern translations read "floods ... floods'." The word often refers to a river (See: "the River" in Psalms 72:8), but "oceans ... oceans'" has been chosen here because oceans, not rivers, have "waves" that "crash and roar."
The psalmist speaks of the ocean as if it were a person who could speak. Alternate translation: "have made a mighty noise because their waves crash and roar"
make a long, loud sound.
The phrase "the mighty breakers of the sea" means basically the same thing as "many waves" and emphasizes how great these waves are. Alternate translation: "Above the crashing of all of the very great waves of the sea"
large waves coming to land
The psalmist speaks of where God lives as if it were high above the earth. Alternate translation: "in heaven"
very serious
"always stay the same" or "never change"
The psalmist speaks of Yahweh's house as if it were a woman wearing beautiful clothing or jewelry and of Yahweh's holiness as the beautiful clothing or jewelry. Alternate translation: "your house is beautiful because you are holy" or "your holiness makes your house beautiful the way beautiful clothes and jewelry make a woman more beautiful"
makes beautiful
This refers to the temple in Jerusalem.
This idiom refers to the duration of God's life. Since God lives forever, it can also be translated as forever. Alternate translation: "for as long as you live" or "forever"
1 Yahweh, God who avenges,
God who avenges, shine over us.
2 Rise up, judge of the earth,
give recompense to the proud.
3 How long will the wicked, Yahweh,
how long will the wicked rejoice?
4 They pour out their arrogant words;
all those who behave wickedly boast.
5 They crush your people, Yahweh;
they afflict your heritage.
6 They kill the widow and foreigner who lives in their country,
and they murder the fatherless.
7 They say, "Yah does not see;
the God of Jacob does not take notice of it." [1]
8 Pay attention, you stupid people!
You fools, when will you gain understanding?
9 He who made the ear, does he not hear?
He who formed the eye, does he not see?
10 He who disciplines the nations, does he not correct?
He is the one who gives knowledge to man.
11 Yahweh knows the thoughts of men,
that they are vapor.
12 Blessed is the one whom Yah instructs,
the one whom you teach from your law. [2]
13 You give him rest in times of trouble
until a pit is dug for the wicked.
14 For Yahweh will not abandon his people
or abandon his inheritance.
15 For judgment will again be righteous;
and all the upright in heart will follow it.
16 Who will rise up to defend me against the evildoers?
Who will stand up for me against those who behave wickedly?
17 Unless Yahweh had been my help,
I would soon be lying down in the place of silence.
18 When I said, "My foot is slipping,"
Your covenant faithfulness, Yahweh, held me up.
19 When cares within me are many,
your consolations delight my soul.
20 Can a throne of destruction be allied with you,
one that creates trouble by statute?
21 They conspire together to take the life of the righteous
and they declare guilty the blood of the innocent.
22 But Yahweh has been my high tower,
and my God has been the rock of my refuge.
23 He will bring on them their own iniquity
and will cut them off in their own wickedness.
Yahweh our God will cut them off.
Psalm 94 is a prayer requesting that evil people be punished. (See: evil)
Evil people expect God to ignore their injustices. But God knows what they are doing and will punish them for their evil deeds. (See: justice and works)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
Here "shine" is a metaphor for God revealing himself. Alternate translation: "show yourself" or "reveal your glory"
The psalmist speaks of starting to do something as getting up. If your language has a word for beginning to act, use it here. Alternate translation: "Take action" or "Do something"
"give to the proud what they deserve" or "punish people who are proud"
The psalmist repeats the question to show that he is unhappy with how long Yahweh has allowed the wicked to rejoice. This rhetorical question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "You have waited too long Yahweh; you have waited too long to stop the wicked from rejoicing."
Why the wicked rejoice can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "will the wicked rejoice because you never punish them for the evil deeds they do"
"All those who do evil pour out"
The psalmist writes of the wicked speaking as if their words were a liquid being poured out.
The translation can make explicit that these people boast about their evil actions. Alternate translation: "all those who behave wickedly boast about their evil deeds"
Here the metaphor "heritage" refers to the nation of Israel. The nation is a metonym for the people of the nation. Alternate translation: "afflict the people of the nation"
The psalmist speaks of powerful people treating powerless people badly as if it were crushing them or breaking them in pieces. See how "break in pieces" is translated in [Psalms 72:4]
"women whose husbands have died"
"children without fathers"
"the God of Israel does not see what we do"
The writer now instructs the wicked people.
This rhetorical question emphasizes the anger of the writer with the wicked people he is speaking to. This question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "stop your foolish ways!" or "learn from your mistakes!"
These rhetorical questions can be translated as statements or commands. Alternate translation: "God made ears, so he can hear. God made eyes, so he can see." or "God made ears, so stop acting as if he does not hear. God made eyes, so stop acting as if he does not see."
The writer continues instructing the wicked people.
This question can be translated as a statement. It is implied that Yahweh corrects his people. Alternate translation: "You know that Yahweh corrects the nations, so you can be sure that he will correct his people!" or "he will punish his people!"
This can be stated in positive form. Possible meanings are 1) God corrects. Alternate translation: "he corrects" or 2) God punishes. "he punishes"
Here the thoughts of men are compared to vapor or steam that disappears into the air. This metaphor shows how unimportant and useless they are.
"mist." See how this word is translated in Psalms 39:11
Now the writer again talks to Yahweh.
The psalmist speaks of Yahweh's punishing the wicked as if Yahweh were trapping an animal in a pit. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "until you dig a pit for the wicked" or "until you destroy the wicked"
"those whom he has chosen to be with him forever"
The psalmist speaks of those who judge as if they were the decisions they make. The abstract noun "judgment" can be translated with the verb "judge." Alternate translation: "judges will again judge righteously" or "judges will again make righteous decisions"
The adjective phrase "upright in heart" can be translated as a noun phrase. Alternate translation: "those whose hearts are right with God"
"will want the judges to judge righteously"
This can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "No one will defend me against the evildoers. No one will help me fight against those who behave wickedly."
This statement describes something that could have happened but did not. Yahweh did help him, so he was not lying in the place of silence. Alternate translation: "If Yahweh had not been my help ... silence
The abstract noun "help" can be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: "If Yahweh had not helped me"
Here "would be lying down" refers to "death" and "in the place of silence" refers to the grave." Alternate translation: "in a short time, I would be dead, lying in a silent grave"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "You, Yahweh, held me up because you are faithful to your covenant"
The psalmist speaks of care as if he could count separate cares. The abstract noun "consolations" can be translated with the verb "console" or "comfort." Alternate translation: "When I have been worried about many things, you have comforted me and made me happy"
The writer uses this rhetorical question is used to assure Yahweh that the writer knows that Yahweh loves justice. It can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "A throne of destruction, one that creates trouble by statute, cannot be allied with you"
Here the metonym "throne" refers to a king or ruler. Alternate translation: "a wicked ruler" or "corrupt judge"
secretly plan with a person something harmful or illegal
This is an idiom which means to kill someone.
The nominal adjective "innocent" may be translated "innocent person." The word "blood" is a metaphor for the violent death of the innocent person and a metonym for the person himself. Alternate translation: "they declare the innocent person guilty and then kill him"
Here "tower" is a metaphor for protection. Alternate translation: "Yahweh has protected me from my enemies"
The psalmist speaks of having God protect him as if God were a place where the psalmist could go to be safe. See how "rock" and "refuge" are translated in Psalms 62:7. Alternate translation: "I have asked God to protect me, and he has kept me safe by his power"
Possible meanings are 1) "will do to them the evil things they have done to others" or 2) "will punish them for all the evil things he has done to others."
This is an idiom which means "kill them."
Possible meanings are 1) "while they are doing wicked things" or 2) "because they have done wicked things."
1 Oh come, let us sing to Yahweh;
let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.
2 Let us enter his presence with thanksgiving;
let us shout joyfully to him with psalms of praise.
3 For Yahweh is a great God
and a great King superior to all gods.
4 In his hand are the depths of the earth;
the heights of the mountains are his.
5 The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.
6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
let us kneel before Yahweh, our Creator:
7 For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.
Today—oh, that you would hear his voice!
8 "Do not harden your heart, as at Meribah,
or as on the day of Massah in the wilderness,
9 where your forefathers tested me;
they put me to the test, though they had seen my deeds.
10 For forty years I was angry with that generation
and said, 'This is a people whose hearts wander astray;
they have not known my ways.'
11 Therefore I swore in my anger
that they would never enter into my resting place."
Psalm 95 is the first in a series of six worship psalms (Psalms 95-100).
God made everything and takes good care of people. People should not be stubborn like the Israelites were in the days of Moses. The Israelites with Moses wandered in the desert for forty years.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
The psalmist speaks of Yahweh as if Yahweh were a mountain the people could climb so they would be safe. See how "rock" and "of my salvation" are translated in [Psalms 18:46]
The psalmist speaks as if he is telling the readers to go into the throne room of a king. Alternate translation: "go to where he is"
"thanking him as we enter his presence"
Possible meanings are that Yahweh is a great king 1) "who rules over all other gods," or 2) "who is much better than all gods."
This is an idiom which means "in his control" or "he is responsible for."
deep places
high places
The word "hands" is a metonym for Yahweh himself. Alternate translation: "he himself formed"
put both knees on the ground, often to show submission
The word "pasture" is a metonym for the food that animals eat in the pasture, which in turn is a synecdoche for everything that Yahweh provides for his people. Alternate translation: "we are the people whose needs he meets"
an area where animals find grass to eat
The word "hand" here refers to how Yahweh protects his people the way a shepherd protects his sheep. Alternate translation: "the people whom he protects like a shepherd protects his sheep"
"Oh, that you would hear his voice today!" The psalmist purposely interrupts what he is saying.
Here "his voice" represents God speaking or what he says. Alternate translation: "listen to God speak" or "hear what God says"
Now the writer writes the words that Yahweh spoke.
"become stubborn"
These are places in the desert that Moses named because the Israelites rebelled against God.
These two phrases are both metaphors for the people seeing how much evil they could do before Yahweh would punish them. "wanted to see if they could do evil things without me punishing them ... tested me to see if I would continue to be patient with them"
"the amazing things I had done"
Yahweh continues speaking directly to his people.
"40 years"
"all of those people" or "that entire generation of people"
God speaks of the people as if they were sheep, which will go wherever they want to and not stay near their shepherd. Alternate translation: "move away from me" or "go their own way"
Yahweh's commands are spoken of as if they were paths on which the people should walk. The people not obeying Yahweh's commands is spoken of as if they did not know these paths. Alternate translation: "they have not obeyed my commands"
"the place where I would have allowed them to rest"
1 Oh, sing to Yahweh a new song;
sing to Yahweh, all the earth.
2 Sing to Yahweh, bless his name;
announce his salvation day after day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all the nations.
4 For Yahweh is great and is to be praised greatly.
He is to be feared above all other gods.
5 For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but it is Yahweh who made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are in his presence.
Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to Yahweh, you clans of peoples,
ascribe praise to Yahweh for his glory and strength.
8 Give to Yahweh the glory that his name deserves.
Bring an offering and come into his courts.
9 Bow down to Yahweh in the splendor of holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth.
10 Say among the nations, "Yahweh reigns."
The world also is established; it cannot be shaken.
He judges the peoples fairly.
11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar and that which fills it shout with joy.
12 Let the fields rejoice and all that is in them.
Then let all the trees in the forest shout for joy
13 before Yahweh, for he is coming.
He is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness
and the peoples with his faithfulness.
Psalm 96 is one of six worship psalms (Psalms 95-100).
Yahweh is king over all the earth and is worthy of all praise.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
a song no one has ever sung before
This refers to the people of the earth. Alternate translation: "all you people who live on the earth"
The word "name" is a metonym for Yahweh himself. Alternate translation: "bless Yahweh" or "do what makes Yahweh happy" See how "may his glorious name be blessed" is translated in [Psalms 72:19]
The abstract noun "salvation" can be translated using the verb "save." Alternate translation: "announce that he has saved us" or "tell people that he is the one who saves"
"Tell all the people in every nation about his great glory"
This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: "Yahweh is great. Praise him greatly" or "Yahweh is great, and people should praise him greatly"
This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: "Fear him above all other gods"
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"where he is"
The psalmist speaks as if splendor and majesty are people who can stand before a king. Alternate translation: "Everyone knows of his splendor and majesty"
The words "strength" and "beauty" are metonyms for the ark of the covenant decrees, which is found in the sanctuary. Alternate translation: "It is his sanctuary that contains the ark of the covenant decrees"
This can be restated to removed the abstract nouns "praise," "glory," and "strength." See how these words are translated in [Psalms 29:1]
The abstract noun "glory" can be stated as a verb or adjective. See how these words are translated in [Psalms 29:2]
Here "name" refers to the person of God. Alternate translation: "he deserves"
the temple courtyard where the priests sacrificed animals to Yahweh
The implied information is that the people were to bow down in worship. Alternate translation: "Bow down to worship Yahweh"
The abstract nouns "splendor" and "holiness" can be translated as adjectives. Alternate translation: "because he is gloriously beautiful and holy"
to shake because of fear
Here "earth" represents the people. Alternate translation: "all the people of the earth"
This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: "He also established the world"
This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: "nothing can shake it"
Possible meanings are 1) the heavens and the earth are spoken of as if they have emotions like people. Alternate translation: "Let it be as if the heavens are glad and the earth rejoices" or 2) "the heavens" and "the earth" are metonyms for those who dwell in those places. Alternate translation: "Let those who live in the heavens be glad and let those who live on the earth rejoice"
The implied information is that this refers to all the creatures living in the sea. They are spoken of as if they should shout with joy like people might do. Alternate translation: "the sea creatures shout joyfully"
"Let the fields and all that is in them rejoice." The psalmist speaks as if "the fields" and the animals that live in them have emotions like people. Alternate translation: "Let it be as if the fields themselves and all the animals that live in them are rejoicing"
This speaks about the trees as if they were people who could shout for joy. Alternate translation: "let it be as if all the trees in the forest shout for joy"
The three phrase have similar meanings; the last two phases are used to strengthen the first.
Another possible meaning is "to rule ... will rule."
Here "the world" is a metonym for all the people in the world. See how these words are translated in [Psalms 9:8]
The words "he will judge" are understood. Alternate translation: "he will judge the peoples with his faithfulness"
The can be restated to remove the abstract noun "faithfulness." Possible meanings are 1) Alternate translation: "fairly, according to what he knows is true" or 2) Alternate translation: "using the same standard for all people"
1 Yahweh reigns; let the earth rejoice;
let the many coastlands be glad.
2 Clouds and darkness surround him.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him
and consumes his adversaries on every side.
4 His lightning lights up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before Yahweh,
the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The skies declare his justice,
and all the nations see his glory.
7 All those who worship carved figures will be shamed,
those who boast in worthless idols—
bow down to him, all you gods!
8 Zion heard and was glad,
and the towns of Judah rejoiced
because of your righteous decrees, Yahweh.
9 For you, Yahweh, are most high above all the earth.
You are exalted far above all gods.
10 You who love Yahweh, hate evil!
He protects the lives of his faithful ones,
and he takes them out of the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is sown for the righteous
and gladness for those with honest hearts.
12 Be glad in Yahweh, you righteous;
and give thanks when you remember his holiness.
Psalm 97 is one of six worship psalms (Psalms 95-100)
All people who worship idols are disgraced because Yahweh rules over all the world.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
The earth and the coastlands are said to have emotions like people. Alternate translation: "Rejoice and be glad every person on the earth and near the seas"
Possible meanings are 1) "lands near the seas" or 2) "islands."
"We cannot see him; it is as if he were sitting in the dark with clouds all around him"
The word "throne" is a metonym for the deeds and words of the one who sits on it. The psalmist speaks as if righteousness and justice were physical objects that made the throne secure. Alternate translation: "He is righteous and just in everything he does" or "He is able to rule because he rules righteously and justly"
Here "the foundation of his throne" refers to how Yahweh rules his kingdom.
The psalmist speaks as if fire were a person walking before King Yahweh and telling people that the king was coming.
"burns up his enemies"
The writer speaks of the earth as if it were a person who sees what Yahweh does and trembles in fear. Alternate translation: "like a person, the earth sees and trembles"
shakes with fear
The writer speaks of the mountains crumbling before Yahweh as if they were wax that was exposed to a fire. Alternate translation: "The mountains are unable to stand as Yahweh comes near" or "The mountains crumble in Yahweh's presence"
Possible meanings are 1) the psalmist speaks as if the skies are Yahweh's messengers who declare that Yahweh is just. Alternate translation: "Everyone can see that God is just, the same way that everyone can see the skies" or 2) the skies refer to the beings that live in the heavens. Alternate translation: "All those who live in heaven declare that Yahweh is just"
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This refers to the people who live in these lands. Alternate translation: "The people of Zion heard ... the people of Judah"
The psalmist speaks as if those who were strong enough to rule were the physically higher than others. Alternate translation: "rule over all the people who live on"
The psalmist speaks as if those who were strong enough to rule were the physically higher than others. Alternate translation: "You are high, far"
Here the word "hand" represents power. Yahweh rescuing people from the power of wicked people is spoken of as if he took them out of their hands. Alternate translation: "he rescues them from the power of the wicked"
These two phrases have similar meanings and are used together for emphasis. Alternate translation: "Yahweh sows light for those who do right, and he sows gladness for those with honest hearts"
The word "sown" is a metaphor for actions with future results. "Light" is a metaphor for good things. Alternate translation: "Yahweh plans for good things to happen to the righteous in the future"
The adjective "righteous" can be translated as a noun phrase. Alternate translation: "righteous people"
The words "is sown" are understood. The word "sown" is a metaphor for actions with future results. The abstract noun "gladness" can be stated as "happy." Alternate translation: "gladness is sown for those with honest hearts" or "Yahweh plans for people with honest hearts to be happy in the future"
The heart is a synecdoche for the whole person. Alternate translation: "honest people"
This verse has a command followed by the reason for the command. If your language requires the reason to precede the command: "Because of what Yahweh has done for you, you righteous people, be glad and give thanks when you remember his holiness."
This idiom means to be glad because of what Yahweh has done. Alternate translation: "Be glad because of what Yahweh has done"
Possible meanings are 1) "when you remember how holy he is" or 2) "to his holy name," a metonym for "to him."
1 Oh, sing to Yahweh a new song,
for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
have given him victory.
2 Yahweh has made known his salvation;
he has openly showed his justice to all the nations.
3 He calls to mind his steadfast love
and faithfulness for the house of Israel;
all the ends of the earth will see
the victory of our God.
4 Shout for joy to Yahweh, all the earth;
burst into song, sing for joy, and sing praises.
5 Sing praises to Yahweh with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn,
shout joyfully before the King, Yahweh.
7 Let the sea shout and everything in it,
the world and those who live in it!
8 Let the rivers clap their hands,
and let the mountains shout for joy.
9 Yahweh is coming to judge the earth;
he will judge the world with righteousness
and the nations with fairness.
Psalm 98 is one of six worship psalms (Psalms 95-100).
Everyone and every thing should sing praises to Yahweh because he is worthy of all praise.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
a song no one has ever sung before. See how this is translated in Psalms 96:1.
The words "right hand" and "holy arm" refer to Yahweh's strength. Together they emphasize how great his strength is. Alternate translation: "his very great power has"
the more powerful and skilled hand
Here "arm" is a metonym for power. Alternate translation: "the power that is his alone"
This can be restated to remove the abstract noun "victory." Alternate translation: "have enabled him to be victorious over his enemies" or "has enabled him to defeat his enemies"
The abstract noun "salvation" can be translated using the verb "save." Alternate translation: "showed people that he saves his people"
The abstract noun "justice" can be translated using the adjective "just." The word "nations" is a metonym for "the people who live in all the nations." Alternate translation: "showed the people who live in all the nations that he is just"
See how the idiom "call to mind" is translated in [Psalms 20:3]
This is a metonym for the people of the earth. Alternate translation: "people from all over the world"
The abstract noun "victory" can be translated using the verb "defeat." Alternate translation: "will see our God defeat his enemies"
This is a metonym for the people of the earth. Alternate translation: "all people in the world"
"suddenly begin singing happily"
"sing because you are happy"
"sing praises to God"
delightful or pleasing musical sound
an animal horn used as a musical instrument
The psalmist speaks as if the sea were a person who could shout to God. Alternate translation: "Let it be as if the sea and everything in it were shouting"
The psalmist speaks as if the world were a person. Alternate translation: "and let it be as if the world and those who live in it were shouting"
This is a metonym for the people who live in the world. Alternate translation: "the people in the world"
The psalmist speaks as if the rivers and mountains were people who could clap and shout. Alternate translation: "Let it be as though the rivers are clapping their hands and mountains were shouting for joy"
The verb may be supplied from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: "he will judge the nations with fairness"
This is a metonym for "the people who live in the nations."
"honestly" or "using the same standard for everyone"
1 Yahweh reigns;
let the nations tremble.
He sits enthroned above the cherubim;
the earth quakes.
2 Yahweh is great in Zion;
he is exalted above all the nations.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name;
he is holy.
4 The king is strong, and he loves justice.
You have established fairness;
you have done righteousness
and justice in Jacob.
5 Praise Yahweh our God
and worship at his footstool.
He is holy.
6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
and Samuel was among those who called on his name.
They called to Yahweh,
and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud.
They kept his solemn commands
and the statutes that he gave them.
8 You answered them,
Yahweh our God.
A forgiving God you were to them,
but also an avenger of their sinful deeds.
9 Praise Yahweh our God,
and worship at his holy hill,
for Yahweh our God is holy.
Psalm 99 is one of six worship psalms (Psalms 95-100).
God is just and fair. Moses, Aaron and Samuel each prayed to him and obeyed him and he answered their prayers. (See: justice)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This refers to the people of all nations. Alternate translation: "the people of all nations"
shake with fear
You may need to make explicit that the cherubim are those on the lid of the ark of the covenant. The biblical writers often spoke of the ark of the covenant as if it were Yahweh's footstool upon which he rested his feet as he sat on his throne in heaven above. Alternate translation: "He sits on his throne above the cherubim on the ark of the covenant"
shakes
"Not only is Yahweh great in Zion, he is exalted above all the nations" or "Not only does Yahweh rule in Zion, he rules over all the nations"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "people in all the nations exalt him" or "people in all nations praise him greatly"
Here the author shifts from speaking about God, to speaking to God. After this phrase though, he shifts back to speaking about God.
The abstract noun "justice" can be translated using the phrase "what is just." Alternate translation: "he loves doing what is just"
The abstract noun "fairness" is a metonym for the laws that are fair. Alternate translation: "The laws you have established are fair"
Here the word "footstool" likely refers to the ark of the covenant, which the biblical writers often spoke of as if it were Yahweh's footstool upon which he rested his feet as he sat on his throne in heaven above. The translation can make explicit that the people are to worship Yahweh. Alternate translation: "worship Yahweh at his footstool" or "worship Yahweh before his throne in the temple"
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important, given seriously
"You answered your people"
"Mount Zion"
1 Shout joyfully to Yahweh, all the earth.
2 Serve Yahweh with gladness;
come before his presence with joyful singing.
3 Know that Yahweh is God;
he made us, and we are his.
We are his people and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving
and into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and bless his name.
5 For Yahweh is good; his covenant faithfulness endures forever
and his truthfulness through all generations.
Psalm 100 is the last of six worship psalms (Psalms 95-100).
God made mankind and takes good care of people.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"Raise a shout to Yahweh." See how "shout" is translated in Psalms 47:1.
This refers to all the people of the earth. Alternate translation: "everyone on the earth"
The psalmist speaks as if he is telling the readers to go into the throne room of a king. Alternate translation: "go to where he is with joyful singing" or "he can hear you, so sing joyfully"
God's people are like his sheep. Alternate translation: "the people God provides for and protects"
a grassy area for feeding animals
"while thanking him" or "while giving thanks to him"
The word "name" is a metonym for Yahweh himself. Alternate translation: "bless Yahweh" or "do what makes Yahweh happy" See how "may his glorious name be blessed" is translated in [Psalms 72:19]
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "he is faithful to his covenant forever"
The verb may be supplied from the previous phrase. The abstract noun "truthfulness" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "his truthfulness endures through all generations" or "he is truthful through all generations"
"generation after generation." See how this is translated in Psalms 89:4.
1 I will sing of covenant faithfulness and justice;
to you, Yahweh, I will sing praises.
2 I will pay attention to the way of integrity.
Oh, when will you come to me?
I will walk with integrity of heart within my house.
3 I will not put wrongdoing before my eyes;
I hate worthless evil;
it will not cling to me.
4 A perverse heart will leave me;
I am not loyal to evil.
5 I will destroy whoever secretly slanders his neighbor.
I will not tolerate the haughty of eye and arrogant of heart.
6 I will look to the faithful of the land to sit at my side.
Those who walk in the way of integrity may serve me.
7 Deceitful people will not remain within my house;
liars will not be welcome before my eyes.
8 Morning by morning
I will destroy all the wicked from the land;
I will remove all who behave wickedly
from the city of Yahweh.
Psalm 101 is a psalm asking God's help in living as a person should.
The psalmist wanted to encourage all the good people in the land restrain all the evil people. (See: evil)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
The abstract nouns "faithfulness" and "justice" can be translated with adjectives. Alternate translation: "I will sing that you are faithful to your covenant and that you are just"
Here the words "pay attention to" are a metonym for the way that David will live because he has paid attention to the way of integrity. Alternate translation: "I will live in a way that is honest and right" or "I will live a life full of integrity"
Here David speaks about living as if it were "walking." The word "heart" here is a metonym for the way he thinks and feels. Alternate translation: "I will live in my house with integrity"
This can be restated to remove the abstract noun "wrongdoing." The idiom, "put evil before my eyes," means to approve of it. Alternate translation: "I will not approve of anyone doing anything that is wrong in my presence"
David describes "evil" as if it were something unable to cling to him. This means that he would avoid evil things and people doing evil things. Alternate translation: "I will completely avoid evil"
hold on to something or someone very tightly
The word "heart" here is a metonym for the thoughts and feelings of the person. This generic noun phrase refers to any perverse person or people. Alternate translation: "Perverse people"
"to anything that is evil"
The words "eye" and "heart" here are metonyms for the person whose eye and heart they are. The generic noun phrase refers to any haughty and arrogant person or people. Alternate translation: "people who are haughty and arrogant"
This means that David would allow those people to be around him and live with him. Alternate translation: "I will allow the faithful of the land to live with me"
This refers to the people who are faithful to God. Alternate translation: "the faithful people"
Here David speaks about "living" as if it were "walking." Alternate translation: "live in a way that is honest and right" or "live lives full of integrity"
These two phrases have the same idea and are used together to emphasize how David will not tolerate deceitful people.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I will not welcome liars"
Here "my eyes" refers to David himself. Alternate translation: "before me" or "in my presence"
"Every day"
This refers to wicked people. Alternate translation: "the wicked people"
David is referring to the city that he is in as "the city of Yahweh." This can be made clear. Alternate translation: "from this city, which is Yahweh's city"
1 Hear my prayer, Yahweh;
hear my cry to you.
2 Do not hide your face from me in my time of trouble.
Listen to me.
When I call out to you,
answer me quickly.
3 For my days pass away like smoke,
and my bones burn like fire.
4 My heart is crushed, and I am like grass that has withered.
I forget to eat any food.
5 With my continual groaning,
I have become very thin.
6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness;
I have become like an owl in the ruins.
7 I lie awake like a solitary bird,
alone on the housetop.
8 My enemies taunt me all day long;
those who mock me use my name in curses.
9 I eat ashes like bread
and mix my drink with tears.
10 Because of your raging anger,
you have lifted me up to throw me down.
11 My days are like a shadow that fades,
and I have withered like grass.
12 But you, Yahweh, live forever,
and your fame is for all generations.
13 You will rise up and have mercy on Zion.
Now is the time to have mercy upon her;
the appointed time has come.
14 For your servants hold her stones dear
and feel compassion for the dust of her ruins.
15 The nations will respect your name, Yahweh,
and all the kings of the earth will honor your glory.
16 Yahweh will rebuild Zion
and will appear in his glory.
17 At that time, he will respond to the prayer of the destitute;
he will not reject their prayer.
18 This will be written for future generations,
and a people not yet created will praise Yah. [1]
19 For he has looked down from the holy heights;
from heaven Yahweh has viewed the earth,
20 to hear the groaning of the prisoners,
to release those who were condemned to death.
21 Then men will proclaim the name of Yahweh in Zion
and his praise in Jerusalem
22 when the peoples and kingdoms gather together
to serve Yahweh.
23 He has taken away my strength in the middle of life.
He has shortened my days.
24 I said, "My God, do not take me away in the middle of life;
you are here throughout all generations.
25 In ancient times you established the earth;
the heavens are the work of your hands.
26 They will perish, but you will remain;
they will all grow old like a garment;
like clothing, you will remove them,
and they will disappear.
27 But you are the same,
and your years will have no end.
28 The children of your servants will live on,
and their descendants will live in your presence."
Psalm 102 is a psalm of deliverance from sickness. (See: deliverer)
The author does not want to die young. He also wants to see Jerusalem saved. (See: save)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
This refers to a man who is afflicted. Alternate translation: "the afflicted man"
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Here "my days" refers to the author's life and the idea of "smoke" is something that quickly disappears. Alternate translation: "my life passes away quickly"
Here the author refers to his "body" as his "bones." Alternate translation: "my body feels like it is burning"
Here the author refers to himself as his "heart." This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I am in despair"
This is another way to describe his despair. Alternate translation: "I feel like I am drying up like withered grass"
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He compares his loneliness to that of a pelican, which is often seem alone instead of with other birds. Alternate translation: "I am lonely and despised like a pelican in the wilderness"
a large fish-eating bird
The author continues to describe loneliness by comparing himself to an owl in abandoned ruins. Alternate translation: "I have become alone like an owl in abandoned ruins"
This is a bird that is awake at night. Alternate translation: "a night bird"
The writer compares himself to a bird to emphasize his feeling of loneliness.
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David would have sat in ashes as an act of mourning, therefore ashes would have fallen on his food. Alternate translation: "I eat ashes like I eat bread" or "As I mourn, ashes fall on the bread that I eat"
David did not purposefully mix his drink with tears; rather his tear would have fallen into his cup while he mourned and wept. Alternate translation: "my tears fall into the cup that I drink"
God has not literally lifted and thrown David's body to the ground; rather David says this to describe what he is feeling and experiencing. Alternate translation: "it is like you have lifted me up to throw me down"
David compares his time left to live on earth to a fading shadow. Alternate translation: "My time to remain alive is short like an evening shadow that will soon be gone"
As David's body becomes weak and he is nearing the end of his life, he compares himself to withering grass. Alternate translation: "my body has become weak like withered grass"
dry and wrinkled
"you will be recognized for all generations to come"
being known by many people
Here "Zion" refers to the people who live in Zion. Alternate translation: "have mercy on the people of Zion"
The word "her" refers to Zion.
The "stones" refer to the stones that were part of the city walls before they were destroyed. Alternate translation: "still love the stones that were formerly in the city walls"
Here "your name" refers to Yahweh. Alternate translation: "you"
The people will honor Yahweh because of his glory. Here Yahweh is referred to by his glory. Alternate translation: "will honor you because you are glorious"
"will be seen as glorious" or "people will see his glory"
This refers to destitute people.
"Yahweh will accept their prayers"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I will write this for future generations"
These two phrases have similar meaning and are used together for emphasize how God looks down from heaven.
"his holy place high above the earth"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "those whom the authorities had sentenced to die"
These two phrases have the same meaning and emphasize the idea of praising the name of Yahweh.
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David describes God causing him to become weak as if his strength were a physical item that could be taken away from him. Alternate translation: "has caused me to become weak"
The word "days" here refers to his life. Alternate translation: "my life"
David is asking God to not let him die. Alternate translation: "do not take me away from the earth" or "do not let me die"
"you are present throughout all generations"
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The word "they" refers to "the earth" and "the heavens."
"you will live forever"
"will continue to live"
Here David describes the descendants being protected by Yahweh as being in his presence. Alternate translation: "be protected as they live in your presence"
1 I give praise to Yahweh with all my life,
and with all that is within me,
I give praise to his holy name.
2 I give praise to Yahweh with all my life,
and I remember all of his good deeds.
3 He forgives all your iniquities;
he heals all your diseases.
4 He redeems your life from the pit;
he crowns you with covenant faithfulness and acts of tender mercy.
5 He satisfies your life with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
6 Yahweh does what is fair
and does acts of justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the descendants of Israel.
8 Yahweh is merciful and gracious;
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not discipline forever;
he will not be angry to eternity.
10 He does not deal with us as our sins deserve
or repay us for what our iniquities demand.
11 For as the skies are high above the earth,
so great is his covenant faithfulness toward those who honor him.
12 As far as the east is from the west,
this is how far he has removed the guilt of our sins from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so Yahweh has compassion on those who honor him.
14 For he knows how we are formed;
he knows that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower in a field.
16 The wind blows over it, and it disappears,
and no one can even tell where it once grew.
17 But the covenant faithfulness of Yahweh is from everlasting to everlasting
on those who honor him.
His righteousness extends to their descendants.
18 They keep his covenant
and remember to obey his instructions.
19 Yahweh has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over everyone.
20 Give praise to Yahweh, you his angels,
you mighty ones who are strong and do his word,
and obey the sound of his word.
21 Give praise to Yahweh, all his hosts,
his servants who do his will.
22 Give praise to Yahweh, all his creatures,
in all the places where he reigns.
I will give praise to Yahweh with all my life.
Psalm 103 is the first in a series of five psalms of praise to God. (Psalm 103-107)
God is good to us by forgiving our sins and not punishing us as much as we deserve. His loving-kindness goes on from generation to generation. (See: grace and forgive and sin)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize how much he will praise Yahweh. Alternate translation: "I will praise Yahweh with all that I am"
This refers to praising Yahweh's name as Yahweh.
"all of me" or "all that I am." David uses this phrase to refer to himself and to emphasize his devotion to Yahweh.
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David is speaking to himself, so he uses the words "your" and "you" to refer to himself. Many translations express this with "my" and "me" as the UDB does.
David is speaking to himself, so he uses the words "your" and "you" to refer to himself. Many translations express this with "my" and "me," as the UDB does.
Here the words "your life" are a metonym for the person. The words "redeems ... from the pit" here are a metaphor that speaks of Yahweh saving the writer from certain death as if the writer were already dead and Yahweh had paid the one who keeps the dead in a pit so that the writer could come back to life. Alternate translation: "He saves me from dying"
Here blessing someone and treating them with great honor is described as if it were placing a crown on that person's head. The abstract nouns "faithfulness" and "mercy" can be translated with adverbs. Alternate translation: "he blesses you by acting faithfully and mercifully towards you"
The phrase "your life" refers to "you," but it emphasizes that Yahweh gives blessings throughout life. Alternate translation: "He satisfies you with good things through your life"
Having your "youth renewed" means to feel young again. Here David compares this feeling of youth to the swiftness and strength of an eagle. Alternate translation: "you feel young and are strong like an eagle"
The word "youth" refers to the strength one had as a young adult.
"causes justice to happen to"
Who is doing the oppressing can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: "all who are oppressed by men"
The words "he made known" are understood from the previous phrase. They may be repeated here. Alternate translation: "he made known his deeds to the descendants of Israel"
The abstract noun "love" can be restated with the verb "love." Alternate translation: "he always loves his people"
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These two phrases are parallel and emphasize that God does not punish us as we deserve. Alternate translation: "He does not repay us with the punishment we deserve for our sins"
"punish us"
The simile compares the great distance between heaven and earth to the greatness of God's love for his people.
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "so he is very faithful to his covenant"
The distance between east and west is so far that it cannot be measured. In this simile, that distance is being compared to how far God moves our guilt away from us.
Here the author compares a father's compassion for his children to Yahweh's compassion for those who honor him.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "what our bodies are like" or "how he formed our bodies"
When Yahweh created Adam the first man he created him from dust. Alternate translation: "he remembers that he created us from dust"
In this simile, the length of man's life is being compared to the short length of time that grass grows before it dies. Alternate translation: "The length of man's life is short like that of grass"
In this simile, how man grows over time is compared to how a flower grows.
To "flourish" is to grow well or be healthy.
These phrases continue to talk about flowers and grass. They compare how flowers and grass die to how man dies. Alternate translation: "The wind blows over the flowers and grass and they disappear, and no one can tell where they once grew—it is the same way with man"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "Yahweh is faithful to his covenant"
This means that Yahweh's love continues forever. Alternate translation: "will continue forever"
"the descendants of those who honor him"
These two phrases have similar meanings.
Here Yahweh's reign as king is referred to as his "throne." Alternate translation: "Yahweh has taken his seat in the heavens where he rules as king"
"has made"
Here Yahweh is referred to by "his kingdom" to emphasize his authority as king. Alternate translation: "he rules"
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"all his armies." Here "hosts" refers to the living beings that God created in the heavens. Possible meanings are that they are called hosts 1) because they fight as armies. Alternate translation: "all his angel armies" or 2) because there are so many of them, just as armies have many soldiers. Alternate translation: "all his multitude of angels"
"praise him in all the places where he reigns"
This phrase means that he will praise Yahweh wholeheartedly and is used to emphasize his devotion to him. Alternate translation: "with all of me" or "with all my soul"
1 I give praise to Yahweh with all my life,
Yahweh my God, you are very magnificent;
you are clothed with splendor and majesty.
2 You cover yourself with light as with a garment;
you spread out the heavens like a tent curtain.
3 You lay the beams of your chambers on the clouds;
you make the clouds your chariot;
you walk on the wings of the wind.
4 He makes the winds his messengers,
flames of fire his servants.
5 He laid the foundations of the earth,
so that it will not totter forever and ever.
6 You covered the earth with water like a garment;
the water covered the mountains.
7 At your rebuke the waters retreated;
at the sound of your thunder they hurried away.
8 The mountains rose and the valleys went down
to the places that you had appointed for them.
9 You have set a boundary for them that they will not cross;
they will not cover the earth again.
10 He made springs flow into the valleys;
the streams flow between the mountains.
11 They supply water for all the animals of the field;
the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12 By the riverbanks the birds build their nests;
they sing among the branches.
13 He waters the mountains from his water chambers in the sky.
The earth is filled with the fruit of his labor.
14 He makes the grass grow for the cattle
and plants for man to cultivate,
so that man may produce food from the earth.
15 He makes wine to make man happy,
oil to make his face shine,
and food to sustain his life.
16 The trees of Yahweh get plenty of rain;
the cedars of Lebanon which he planted.
17 There the birds make their nests.
The stork makes the cypress tree her home.
18 The wild goats live on the high mountains;
the mountain heights are a refuge for the hyraxes.
19 He appointed the moon to mark the seasons;
the sun knows its time for setting.
20 You make the darkness of the night
when all the beasts of the forest come out.
21 The young lions roar for their prey
and seek their food from God.
22 When the sun rises, they retreat
and sleep in their dens.
23 Meanwhile, people go out to their work
and labor away until the evening.
24 Yahweh, how many and varied are your works!
With wisdom you made them all;
the earth overflows with your works.
25 Over there is the sea, deep and wide,
teeming with innumerable creatures,
both small and great.
26 The ships travel there,
and Leviathan is also there, which you formed to play in the sea.
27 All these look to you in hope
that you will give them their food on time.
28 When you give to them, they gather;
when you open your hand, they are satisfied.
29 When you hide your face, they are troubled;
if you take away their breath, they die
and return to dust.
30 When you send out your Spirit,
they are created,
and you renew the surface of the ground.
31 May the glory of Yahweh last forever;
may Yahweh enjoy his creation.
32 He looks down on the earth, and it shakes;
he touches the mountains, and they smoke.
33 I will sing to Yahweh all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
34 May my thoughts be sweet to him;
I will rejoice in Yahweh.
35 May sinners vanish from the earth,
and let the wicked be no more.
I give praise to Yahweh with all my life.
Give praise to Yah. [1]
Psalm 104 is the second in the series of five psalms of praise to God. (Psalm 103-107)
God has created everything good on earth, in the sky and in the sea.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry. This psalm is a song of praise.
This phrase means that he will praise Yahweh wholeheartedly and is used to emphasize his devotion to him. Alternate translation: "with all of me" or "with all my soul"
The words "splendor" and "majesty" have similar meanings and emphasize the greatness of Yahweh's glory. They are described as clothing Yahweh like a garment. Alternate translation: "you have splendor and majesty all around you"
Yahweh is described as being covered with light as if the light were a garment around him. Alternate translation: "You are covered in light"
Here God is described as spreading out the heavens like someone spreads out a tent when setting it up. Alternate translation: "you spread out the heavens like someone sets up a tent"
"You build your upper rooms in the heavens." This is referring to his house is so tall that the upper floor extends into the clouds.
Here the clouds are described as carrying Yahweh as if they were a chariot. Alternate translation: "you make the clouds carry you like a chariot"
Here the blowing of the wind is described as wings on which Yahweh walks. Alternate translation: "you walk upon the wind"
Possible meanings are 1) he causes the wind to be able to carry a message like a messenger, "He makes the winds to be like his messengers" or 2) "He makes his messengers swift like the wind"
Possible meanings are 1) "he causes flames of fire to be like his servants." He causes fire to serve him like a servant would or 2) "he makes his servants to be like flames of fire"and
This can be stated with the implied information from the previous line. Alternate translation: "He makes the flames of fire his servants"
Here the phrase "laid the foundations" means "created." Alternate translation: "He created the whole earth"
It will not sway like it is about to fall down.
Here the water that covered the earth is being compared to how a large garment is able to completely cover something. Alternate translation: "You completely covered the earth with water"
The word "retreated" refers to a person moving backward. Alternate translation: "rushed away"
This tells about how the land changed. Some of the land became mountains and some of it became valleys. Alternate translation: "The mountains grew and the valleys sank"
Here the psalmist speaks of God causing the waters not to cross the boundary that he created for them as if the waters themselves chose not to cross it. They are described this way to emphasize God's authority over them. Alternate translation: "a boundary for them that they cannot cross"
border
small rivers
It can be stated clearly that they quench their thirst by drinking the water. Alternate translation: "the wild donkeys drink the water to quench their thirst"
the ground at the edges of a river
Here David describes birds chirping as if they were singing. Alternate translation: "they chirp among the tree branches"
This means that God causes it to rain. The waters are described as residing in chambers in the sky. Alternate translation: "He waters the mountains by causing the rains to fall from the sky"
"the many good things that you create"
The words "he makes" and "grow" are understood from the previous phrase, and can be repeated here. Alternate translation: "and he makes the plants grow for man to cultivate"
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This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Yahweh provides plenty of rain for his trees"
They makes their nests in the cedars. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "The birds make their nests in the cedars"
This is a type of bird. Alternate translation: "bird"
I hyrax is a small animal that looks like a large rodent. Alternate translation: "rock badger"
This word refers to different weather changes through the year. Some places have rainy season and dry season, while others have spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Here David describes the sun as if it knows what time of day it is. Alternate translation: "he made the sun to set when it is time"
"Yahweh, you make." Here the authors switches from speaking about Yahweh to speaking to him.
an animal that is food for another animal
"but they rely on God to provide their food"
go back to their dens
the homes of some mammals and small animals
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Here David describes the amount of things that Yahweh had created as if they were a liquid overflowing out of a container. Alternate translation: "is filled with your work"
"it is very deep and very wide." The depth and width of the sea emphasizes how large it is.
"having in them more creatures than anyone could count"
more than anyone can count
This means creatures of all sizes.
"The ships travel on the sea"
"All these creatures"
"give them their food when they need it"
It may be helpful to state that it is food that is given. Alternate translation: "When you give food to them, they gather it"
collect
This describes Yahweh as opening his hand to give food to the creatures. Alternate translation: "when you open your hand to feed them"
This means that Yahweh does not look at them or pay attention to them. Alternate translation: "when you do not look upon them" or "when you ignore them"
This means that their bodies decay and are and become soil again. Alternate translation: "their bodies decay and return to the ground"
This refers to his Spirit being sent to give life to creatures.
It is Yahweh's spirit that created them.
"you cause the land to be full of new life"
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He is comparing his thoughts to something that tastes sweet. Alternate translation: "my thoughts be pleasing"
disappear
The phrase "the wicked" refers to wicked people. Alternate translation: "may wicked people disappear"
1 Give thanks to Yahweh, call on his name;
make known his deeds among the nations.
2 Sing to him, sing praises to him;
speak of all his marvelous deeds.
3 Boast in his holy name;
let the heart of those who seek Yahweh rejoice.
4 Seek Yahweh and his strength;
seek his presence continually.
5 Recall the marvelous things he has done,
his miracles and the decrees from his mouth,
6 you descendants of Abraham his servant,
you people of Jacob, his chosen ones.
7 He is Yahweh, our God.
His decrees are on all the earth.
8 He keeps in mind his covenant forever,
the word that he commanded for a thousand generations.
9 He calls to mind the covenant that he made with Abraham
and his oath to Isaac.
10 This is what he confirmed to Jacob as a statute
and to Israel as an everlasting covenant.
11 He said, "I will give you the land of Canaan
as your share of your inheritance."
12 He said this when they were only few in number,
so very few, and were strangers in the land.
13 They went from nation to nation
and from one kingdom to another.
14 He did not allow anyone to oppress them;
he rebuked kings for their sakes.
15 He said, "Do not touch my anointed ones,
and do not harm my prophets."
16 He called for a famine on the land;
he cut off the whole staff of bread.
17 He sent a man ahead of them;
Joseph was sold as a servant.
18 His feet were bound by shackles;
on his neck was put an iron collar,
19 until what he had said came to pass.
The word of Yahweh tested him.
20 The king sent servants to release him;
the ruler of the people set him free.
21 He put him in charge of his house
as ruler of all his possessions
22 to instruct his princes as he wished
and to teach his elders wisdom.
23 Then Israel came into Egypt,
and Jacob lived for a time in the land of Ham.
24 Yahweh made his people fruitful,
and made them stronger than their enemies.
25 He caused their enemies to hate his people,
to mistreat his servants.
26 He sent Moses, his servant,
and Aaron, whom he had chosen.
27 They performed his signs among the Egyptians,
his wonders in the land of Ham.
28 He sent darkness and made that land dark,
and they did not rebel against his commands.
29 He turned their water into blood
and killed their fish.
30 Their land swarmed with frogs,
even in the rooms of their rulers.
31 He spoke, and swarms of flies and gnats came
throughout their country.
32 He turned their rain into hail,
with fire flaming on their land.
33 He destroyed their vines and fig trees;
he broke the trees of their country.
34 He spoke, and the locusts came,
so many locusts.
35 The locusts ate up all of the vegetation in their land;
They ate up all the crops of the ground.
36 He killed every firstborn in their land,
the firstfruits of all their strength.
37 He brought the Israelites out with silver and gold;
none of his tribes stumbled on the way.
38 Egypt was glad when they went away,
for the Egyptians were afraid of them.
39 He spread a cloud for a covering
and made a fire to light up the night.
40 The Israelites asked for food, and he brought quail
and satisfied them with bread from heaven.
41 He split the rock, and waters gushed from it;
they flowed in the wilderness like a river.
42 For he called to mind his holy promise
that he made to Abraham his servant.
43 He led his people out with joy,
his chosen with shouts of triumph.
44 He gave them the lands of the nations;
they took possession of the fruit of the peoples' labors
45 so that they might keep his statutes
and obey his laws.
Give praise to Yah. [1]
Psalm 105 is the third in a series of five psalms of praise to God. (Psalm 103-107)
God protected Abraham and Jacob. He worked throughout Israel's history to bring Israel into the Promised Land. (See: promisedland)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
Here "name" represents Yahweh. Alternate translation: "call on him"
This refers to the people in the nations. Alternate translation: "the people of the nations"
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Here "name" represents Yahweh. Alternate translation: "Boast in Yahweh"
Here "the heart" represents the person who seeks Yahweh. Alternate translation: "let the people who seek Yahweh rejoice"
To "seek Yahweh's strength" means to ask him to strengthen you. Alternate translation: "Seek Yahweh and ask him to give you his strength"
remember and think about
The word "recall" is understood from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: "recall his miracles and"
Here "mouth" refers to the things that he spoke. Alternate translation: "the decrees that he has spoken"
The author is speaking to the Israelites, calling them these names.
"Abraham, Yahweh's servant"
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These two phrases share similar meanings and are used together for emphasis. The word "word" refers to the covenant. Alternate translation: "He keeps in mind his covenant forever, the promise he made"
This means to remember and think about something. Alternate translation: "remembers"
"1,000 generations"
The phrase "call to mind" means to remember something. Alternate translation: "he remembers"
Both of these phrases "the covenant" and "the oath" refer to the same promise that Yahweh made to his people.
The words "that he made" are undestood from the previous phrase. They can be repeated. Alternate translation: "his oath that he made to Isaac" or "his oath that he gave to Isaac"
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The psalmist is writing about Israel.
The word "they" refers to the Israelites.
It is implied that "the land" refers to Canaan. Alternate translation: "were foreigners in the land of Canaan"
"They continued to wander"
These two phrases have similar meanings and are used together for emphasis.
The psalmist is writing about Israel.
"for their own well-being." This is referring to Israel.
Here "touch" means to harm, it's an exaggeration Yahweh used to strengthen his warning to not harm his people. Alternate translation: "Do not harm the people I have anointed"
"He sent." This means that caused a famine to happen in the land.
Here "staff" is a metaphor for the supply of bread on which the people depend, and "bread" refers to food in general. Alternate translation: "the whole supply of food"
It may be helpful to state that he sent him ahead of them to Egypt. Alternate translation: "He sent a man ahead of them to Egypt; he sent Joseph who"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Joseph's brothers sold him as a slave"
metal restraints used to fasten a prisoner's wrists or ankles together
These statements can be restated as active. Alternate translation: "The Egyptians bound his feet in shackles; they put an iron collar around his neck.
"The message of Yahweh tested him"
These two phrases have basically the same meaning and are used together to emphasize that the king set Joseph free.
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Here "Israel" refers to Jacob. Jacob also brought his family with him. Alternate translation: "Then Israel and his family came into Egypt"
The writer speaks of the increase of Israel as if they were a plant that produced a lot of fruit. "God increased the number of his people greatly"
"to hate his people and to mistreat his servants"
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These two phrases have basically the same meaning. Alternate translation: "Moses and Aaron performed God's miracles in Egypt among the descendants of Ham"
The words "they performed" are understood fromt the previous phrase. They may be repeated here. Alternate translation: "and they performed his wonders in the land of Ham"
Ham was an ancestor of the people of Egypt. Alternate translation: "the land of Ham's descendants"
"made the sky dark"
Moses and Aaron did not rebel
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a small jumping reptile
"they were even in the rooms of their rulers"
The psalmist continues to describe Yahweh's judgment on Egypt.
large flying groups
small flying insects like flies but smaller
ice that falls from the sky like rain
God caused the hail, rain, and lightning to ruin the vines and trees. Alternate translation: "He caused it to destroy ... and to break"
"there were so many locusts"
These two phrase have basically the same meaning and are used together for emphasis. Alternate translation: "The insects ate all the plants and all the crops in the land"
Here the second phrase about the "firstfruits" is used to describe the "firstborn" in the first phrase. Alternate translation: "He killed every firstborn in their land, which were the firstfruits of all their strength" or "Then Yahweh killed the oldest son in every house of the people of Egypt"
When the Israelites left Egypt they took silver and gold with them. Alternate translation: "He brought the Isrealites out of Egypt with silver and gold in their possession"
"every one of his tribes was able to make the journey"
Here "Egypt" refers to the people who live in Egypt. Alternate translation: The people of Egypt were glad
Here the psalmist describes Yahweh placing a cloud in the sky as if he were spreading out a garment. The cloud was a "covering" to protect them from the sun. Alternate translation: "He placed a cloud in the sky to protect them from the sun and heat"
Yahweh placed a pillar of fire in the sky to give light during the night. Alternate translation: "placed a fire it the sky to light up the night"
It may be helpful to make clear that quail are small birds Yahweh sent for them to eat. Alternate translation: "Yahweh sent small birds to eat"
Yahweh caused manna, a type of bread, to fall from the sky. Alternate translation: "with bread that fell from the sky"
"the waters flowed"
This means to remember. Alternate translation: "remembered"
These two phrases have basically the same meaning and are used together to emphasize that God's people were joyful when he led them out of Egypt. The people were shouting joyfully. Alternate translation: "He led his chosen people out with shouts of joy and triumph"
Here "chosen" refers to Yahweh's chosen people. Alternate translation: "his chosen people"
the sound that people make when they are shouting with joy because they have defeated their enemies
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These two phrases have basically the same meaning and are used together for emphasis. "To keep" his statutes means to obey them. Alternate translation: "obey his laws and statutes"
1 Give praise to Yah. [1]
Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good,
for his covenant faithfulness endures forever.
2 Who can recount the mighty acts of Yahweh
or proclaim in full all his praiseworthy deeds?
3 Blessed are those who do what is right,
and whose deeds are always just.
4 Call me to mind, Yahweh, when you show favor to your people;
help me when you save them.
5 Then I will see the prosperity of your chosen,
rejoice in the gladness of your nation,
and glory with your inheritance.
6 We have sinned like our ancestors;
we have done wrong, and we have done evil.
7 Our fathers did not pay attention to your marvelous deeds in Egypt;
they ignored your many acts of covenant faithfulness;
they were rebellious at the sea, the Sea of Reeds.
8 Nevertheless, he saved them for his name's sake
so that he might reveal his power.
9 He rebuked the Sea of Reeds, and it dried up.
Then he led them through the depths, as through a wilderness.
10 He saved them from the hand of those who hated them,
and he rescued them from the hand of the enemy.
11 But the waters covered their adversaries;
not one of them survived.
12 Then they believed his words,
and they sang his praise.
13 But they quickly forgot his deeds;
they did not wait for his instructions.
14 They had insatiable cravings in the wilderness,
and they challenged God in the desert.
15 So he gave them what they requested,
but he sent a horrible disease upon them.
16 In the camp they became jealous of Moses
and Aaron, the holy priest of Yahweh.
17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan
and covered the company of Abiram.
18 Fire broke out in their company;
the fire consumed the wicked.
19 They made a calf at Horeb
and worshiped a cast metal figure.
20 They traded the glory of God
for the image of a bull that eats grass.
21 They forgot God their Savior,
who had done great deeds in Egypt.
22 He had done wonderful things in the land of Ham
and awesome deeds at the Sea of Reeds.
23 So he said he would destroy them—
had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him,
to turn away his anger from destroying them.
24 Then they despised the delightful land;
they did not believe his promise,
25 but grumbled in their tents,
and did not obey Yahweh.
26 Therefore he raised his hand and swore to them
that he would let them die in the desert,
27 scatter their descendants among the nations,
and scatter them in foreign lands.
28 They worshiped the Baal of Peor
and ate the sacrifices offered to the dead.
29 They provoked him to anger with their actions,
and a plague broke out among them.
30 Then Phinehas stood up and mediated,
and the plague subsided.
31 It was counted to him as a righteous deed
to all generations forever.
32 They also angered Yahweh at the waters of Meribah,
and Moses suffered because of them.
33 They made his spirit bitter,
and he spoke thoughtlessly with his lips.
34 They did not destroy the nations
as Yahweh had commanded them,
35 but they mingled with the nations,
learned their practices,
36 and worshiped their idols,
which became a snare to them.
37 They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons.
38 They shed innocent blood,
the blood of their sons and of their daughters,
whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan,
desecrating the land with blood.
39 They were defiled by their deeds;
in their actions they were like prostitutes.
40 So Yahweh was angry with his people,
and he abhorred his inheritance.
41 He gave them into the hand of the nations,
and those who hated them ruled over them.
42 Their enemies oppressed them,
and they were brought into subjection to their authority.
43 Many times he came to help them,
but they were rebellious in their purposes
and were brought low by their own iniquity.
44 Nevertheless, he paid attention to their distress
when he heard their cry for help.
45 He called to mind his covenant with them
and relented because of his steadfast love.
46 He caused all their captors
to have pity on them.
47 Save us, Yahweh, our God.
Gather us from among the nations
so that we may give thanks to your holy name
and glory in your praises.
48 May Yahweh, the God of Israel, be praised
from everlasting to everlasting.
All the people said, "Amen."
Give praise to Yah. [2]
Psalm 106 is the fourth in a series of five psalms of praise to God. (Psalm 103-107)
Although Israel continually sinned in the desert, God still took them to the Promised Land. (See: sin and promisedland)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "for he remains faithful to his covenant forever"
The author asks this question to praise God and does not expect an answer. Alternate translation: "No one can recount the mighty acts of Yahweh ... deeds."
"deeds that are worthy of praise"
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The phrase "call to mind" means to remember something. Alternate translation: "remember me"
The word "chosen" refers to Yahweh's chosen people. Alternate translation: "of your chosen people"
These are things that David says he will do, along with "seeing the prosperity of your chosen." The words "I will" may be repeated here. "I will rejoice in the gladness ... and I will glory"
joy, delight
Here the phrase "your inheritance" refers to the Isrealites, who are Yahweh's chosen people. Here "glory" means "to boast about" something; in this case they are boasting about Yahweh. Alternate translation: "boast of your greatness with your people" or "boast with your people about you"
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The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "they ignored the many things that you did because you are faithful to your covenant"
These two phrases refer to the same sea. The second is the name of the sea.
"Even though what I have just said is true, he"
Here "his name" refers to Yahweh. Alternate translation: "for the sake of his own reputation"
Here David compares the way that Yahweh led the Isrealites through the Sea of Reeds to the way people can be led across the dry ground of a wilderness. "The depths" refers the riverbed that appeared after Yahweh parted the waters. Alternate translation: "through the Seas of Reeds on dry ground"
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and are used together to emphasize that Yahweh saved them from their enemies.
Here "hand" refers to power or control. Alternate translation: "the power of those who hated them" or "the control of those who hated them"
This is a polite way to talk about them drowning. Alternate translation: "drowned their enemies"
Here the word "they" refers to "their ancestors" and the word "his" refers to "Yahweh."
It is implied that they did things without waiting to find out what Yahweh wanted them to go. Alternate translation: "they did things without first waiting for Yahweh's instructions"
"cravings that could not be satisfied"
"They rebelled against God"
Here David speaks about Yahweh causing the people to be afflicted by a disease as if Yahweh sent a disease to them in the same way that someone sends a person or a messenger. Alternate translation: "but he caused them to suffer from a horrible disease"
a disease that caused people to slowly become weak and caused some of them to die
This refers to the Israelites' camp in the wilderness. Alternate translation: "In the camp in the wilderness"
Here how the ground opens up and buries the people is being compared to how a creature swallows something. Alternate translation: "The earth opened and buried"
This was an official who rebelled against Moses.
The followers of Abiram were also buried when the earth opened and buried Dathan. Alternate translation: "it also covered the company of Abiram" or "it also buried the company of Abiram"
This was an official who rebelled against Moses.
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This information can be reordered so that it is clear that the calf was the cast metal figure. Alternate translation: "At Horeb, they made a cast metal figure of a calf and worshiped it"
This means that instead of worshiping God they worshiped the image of the bull. Alternate translation: "They traded worshiping the glory of God to worship the image of a bull"
Here God is referred to by his glory. Alternate translation: "their glorious God" or "God who is glorious"
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This refers to the land where Ham's descendants lived. Alternate translation: "the land where Ham's descendant live"
Here David speaks about Moses persuading Yahweh not to destroy the Israelites as intervening with him in the breach. Alternate translation: "stood between Yahweh and the Israelites and begged Yahweh to not destroy them"
This refers to Yahweh's promise that he would allow them to take the land of Canaan as their possession.
complained
The word "his" refers to Yahweh. Also, it was custom to raise a hand when swearing an oath.
These two phrases have basically the same meaning and are used together for emphasis. Alternate translation: "and that he would make their descendants live in foreign lands"
This means to disperse or spread out something.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the sacrifices that they offered to the dead"
"The dead" refers to the idols and gods that the Israelites were worshiping. Alternate translation: "to gods who are dead" or "to lifeless gods"
"a plague spread"
"angered him"
Phinehas stood between God and the people, punishing the people for their sin. This can be made clear. Alternate translation: "Then Phinehas rose to punish the people on God's behalf because of their sin"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "People credited it to him as a righteous deed"
This is a place.
Moses suffered because of the peoples' sin. Here the word "them" is a pronoun for the people and a metonym referring to their sin. Alternate translation: "suffered because of their actions"
Possible meanings: 1) The word "his" refers to Moses. Alternate translation: "They were rebellious against Moses." Or 2) The word "his" refers to God. Alternate translation: "They were rebellious against the Spirit of God."
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Hey David speaks of the people intermarrying with the women from other nations as "mingling" with them. Alternate translation: "but they mixed in marriage with the other nations"
The idols became a snare to them.
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The phrase "shedding blood" is a descriptive euphemism used for "killing." Alternate translation: "They shed innocent blood when they killed their sons and daughters"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Their deeds defiled them"
Here David compares their unfaithfulness to Yahweh to the unfaithfulness of a prostitute. Alternate translation: "they were as unfaithful to Yahweh as prostitutes"
"So Yahweh was angry with his people and despised them"
Here "hand" refers to power or control. Alternate translation: "God allowed the nations to take control of them"
"people who hated them"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "their enemies caused them to be subject to their authority"
Here the phrase "brought low" means to be destroyed. Also, this can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "their iniquity ruined them"
"Even though what I have just said is true, he." See how you translated this in Psalms 106:8.
"their affliction" or "their suffering"
The phrase "call to mind" means to remember something. Alternate translation: "remembered"
"He ... decided that because he still loved them very much he would not punish them"
"to be compassionate on them"
Here 106:48 is more than the end of this psalm. It is the closing statement for all of Book 4 of the Psalms, which starts at Psalm 90 and ends with Psalm 106.
Here Yahweh is referred to by his "holy name." Alternate translation: "to you"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "May people praise Yahweh the God of Israel"
This refers to two extremes and means for all time. See how you translated this in [Psalms 41:13]
1 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good,
and his covenant faithfulness endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of Yahweh speak out,
those he has rescued from the hand of the enemy.
3 He has gathered them out of foreign lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.
4 They wandered in the wilderness on a desert road
and found no city in which to live.
5 Because they were hungry and thirsty,
they fainted from exhaustion.
6 Then they called out to Yahweh in their trouble,
and he rescued them out of their distress.
7 He led them by a direct path
so that they would go to a city to live in.
8 Oh that people would praise Yahweh for his covenant faithfulness
and for the amazing things he has done for humanity!
9 For he satisfies the longings of those who are thirsty,
and the desires of those who are hungry he fills up with good things.
10 Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,
prisoners in affliction and chains.
11 This was because they had rebelled against God's word
and rejected the instruction of the Most High.
12 He humbled their hearts through hardship;
they stumbled and there was no one to help them up.
13 Then they called out to Yahweh in their trouble,
and he saved them out of their distress.
14 He brought them out of darkness and gloom
and broke their bonds.
15 Oh that people would praise Yahweh for his covenant faithfulness
and for the amazing things he has done for humanity!
16 For he has broken the gates of bronze
and cut through the bars of iron.
17 They were foolish in their rebellious ways
and afflicted because of their iniquities.
18 Their soul abhorred all food,
and they came close to the gates of death.
19 Then they called out to Yahweh in their trouble,
and he saved them out of their distress.
20 He sent his word and healed them,
and he rescued them from the pits in which they were trapped.
21 Oh that people would praise Yahweh for his covenant faithfulness
and for the amazing things he has done for humanity!
22 Let them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving
and proclaim his deeds with shouts of joy.
23 Some travel on the sea in ships
and do business overseas.
24 These saw the deeds of Yahweh
and his wonders on the seas.
25 For he commanded and aroused the windstorm
that stirs up the seas.
26 They reached up to the sky; they went down to the depths.
Their lives melted away in distress.
27 They swayed and staggered like drunkards
and were at their wits' end.
28 Then they called out to Yahweh in their trouble,
and he brought them out of their distress.
29 He calmed the storm,
and the waves were stilled.
30 Then they rejoiced because the sea was calm,
and he brought them to their desired harbor.
31 Oh that people would praise Yahweh for his covenant faithfulness
and for the amazing things he has done for humanity!
32 Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people
and praise him in the council of the elders.
33 He turns rivers into a wilderness,
springs of water into dry land,
34 and a fruitful land into a barren place
because of the wickedness of its people.
35 He turns the wilderness into a pool of water
and dry land into springs of water.
36 He settles the hungry there,
and they build a city to live in.
37 They sowed fields and planted vineyards
that yielded a fruitful harvest.
38 He blesses them so they are very numerous.
He does not let their livestock decrease in number.
39 They were diminished and brought low
by oppression, distress, and suffering.
40 He pours contempt on the leaders
and causes them to wander in the wilderness, where there are no roads.
41 But he protects the needy from affliction
and cares for his families like a flock.
42 The upright will see this and rejoice,
and all wickedness shuts its mouth.
43 Whoever is wise should take note of these things
and meditate on Yahweh's acts of covenant faithfulness.
Psalm 107 is the last in a series of five psalms of praise to God (Psalm 103-107).
The psalmist praises Yahweh for saving people lost in the desert, in prison, sick, in a storm at sea, homeless and oppressed. (See: save and oppress)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "he remains faithful to his covenant forever"
"The redeemed" refers to the people whom Yahweh has saved. Alternate translation: "those whom Yahweh has saved"
This means to tell others about something. Alternate translation: "tell about what Yahweh has done"
Here "hand" refers to power. Alternate translation: "from the power of the enemy"
Here the four directions are given to emphasize that he has gathered them from nations in every direction. Alternate translation: "from every direction" or "from every part of the world"
"Some people wandered"
"on a road that was in the desert"
"that they could live in"
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It is implied that they are praying to Yahweh so that he will help them. Alternate translation: "Then they prayed to Yahweh to help them in their trouble"
"their difficulties" or "their afflictions"
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Here the word "Oh" is used to show that the writer has a strong desire for people to praise Yahweh. The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "Let people praise Yahweh because he is faithful to his covenant" or "People should praise Yahweh because he is faithful to his covenant"
"for all people"
"For he gives water to those who desire it—to those who are thirsty"
"to those who are very hungry and desire food, he give them good things to eat"
It is implied that these are people that Yahweh has rescued. Alternate translation: "Yahweh also rescued people who sat"
Possible meanings are 1) they thought that their captors would kill them or 2) the prison had no light and was very dark.
These phrases have similar meanings and emphasize how much they had rebelled again God, which is why they had been imprisoned.
Here the heart represents a person, but specifically his will. Alternate translation: "He humbled them by allowing them to suffer hardship"
Possible meanings are 1) "trouble" or 2) "hard labor."
The word "stumbled" refers to times when these people got into very difficult situations. Alternate translation: "they got into trouble and there was no one to help them out of it"
It is implied that they are praying to Yahweh so that he will help them. See how you translated this in [Psalms 107:6]
"difficulties" or "afflictions." See how you translated this in Psalms 107:6
"Yahweh brought those in prison"
Both "darkness" and "gloom" have basically the same meaning and are used to emphasize how dark the prison was. See how you translated this in [Psalms 107:10]
Here the word "Oh" is used to show that the writer has a strong desire for people to praise Yahweh. The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. See how you translated this in [Psalms 107:8]
"because he"
Both of these phrases describe Yahweh freeing his people from prison and are used to emphasize that Yahweh truly freed them. Alternate translation: "He freed his people from prison"
"They were foolish in the way they rebelled against Yahweh"
"and they suffered." Specifically they were afflicted by becoming sick. Alternate translation: "and they became sick"
Here the act of "dying" is described as a place, "the gates of death" Alternate translation: "they almost died"
It is implied that they are praying to Yahweh so that he will help them. See how you translated this in [Psalms 107:6]
Here David describes Yahweh speaking as sending his words as if they were a messenger. Possible meanings are 1) "He commanded for them to be healed and they were healed" or 2) "He encouraged them and healed them"
Here the word "Oh" is used to show that the writer has a strong desire for people to praise Yahweh. The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. See how you translated this in [Psalms 107:8]
"that show that they are thankful"
"by singing about them"
They would sail to places and buy and sell things with the people there. Alternate translation: "selling things in cities far away"
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"he commanded the wind and caused it become a great windstorm that stirred up the sea"
a strong wind, like the wind that accompanies a strong rain storm
Here David describes the winds causing the waves to become high as if the wind was an object fiercely stirring something. Alternate translation: "that caused the waves of the sea to become very high"
This describes the ships rising and falling with the waves. The extremes of rising to the sky and falling to the depths are an exaggeration to express how horrible the windstorm was and how large the waves were. Alternate translation: "their ships would rise very high on the waves and then they would fall very low between the waves"
This idiom describes the sailors' great fear. Alternate translation: "The men were terrified and greatly distressed"
The phrase "at their wit's end" means that they did not know what to do. Alternate translation: "and they did not know what to do" or "they had no idea what to do"
It is implied that they are praying to Yahweh so that he will help them. See how you translated this in [Psalms 107:6]
The word "they" refers to the sailors.
"he guided them"
"He made the wind stop"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "he made the waves still"
"to the harbor where they wanted to go"
Here the word "Oh" is used to show that the writer has a strong desire for people to praise Yahweh. The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. See how you translated this in [Psalms 107:8]
"when the elders sit together." The elders sat together to discuss issues in the community and to make decisions for the community.
"Yahweh makes"
"because the people that live there are wicked"
Both of these phrases have similar meaning and emphasize how Yahweh makes water appear in the wilderness. Alternate translation: "He make springs and lakes in land that used to be desert"
The word "there" refers to the places where Yahweh made springs and lakes appear. Also, the phrase "the hungry" refers to people who are hungry. Alternate translation: "Yahweh makes people who are hungry live there"
"that produced a plentiful harvest"
"so that their people are very numerous"
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "He keeps their livestock very numerous"
The word "They" refers to the people who were hungry that Yahweh had settled in the land. This sentence describes how they were before Yahweh settled them in the land.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Their leaders diminished their number and brought them low"
"became fewer in number"
This means to be humiliated. Alternate translation: "humiliated"
Here David speaks of Yahweh showing contempt for the leaders as if contempt were a liquid he poured out on them. Alternate translation: "shows contempt for"
"the nobles." This refers to the leaders who oppressed the people. Alternate translation: "the leaders who oppressed them"
"where people never go"
"But Yahweh"
This refers to needy people. Alternate translation: "needy people" or "poor people"
Here David compares how Yahweh cares for his people to how a shepherd cares for his sheep. Possible meanings are 1) "makes the number of people in their families increase like flocks" or 2) "takes care of them like a shepherd cares for his sheep"
This refers to people who live in an upright way. Alternate translation: "Upright people" or "People who do what is right"
Here wicked people are referred to as "wickedness." Alternate translation: "all wicked people"
This means to not say anything in response. Alternate translation: "has nothing to say against Yahweh in reply"
This means to think about these things. Alternate translation: "think about these things" or "remember these things"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "meditate on the things that Yahweh has done that show that he is faithful to his covenant"
1 My heart is fixed, God!
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises with all my glory.
2 Wake up, lute and harp;
I will wake up the dawn.
3 I will give thanks to you, Yahweh, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
4 For your covenant faithfulness is great above the heavens;
and your trustworthiness reaches to the skies.
5 Be exalted, God, above the heavens,
and may your glory be exalted over all the earth.
6 So that those you love may be rescued,
rescue us with your right hand and answer me.
7 God has spoken in his holiness; "I will rejoice;
I will divide Shechem
and apportion out the Valley of Sukkoth.
8 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine;
Ephraim also is my helmet;
Judah is my scepter.
9 Moab is my washbasin;
over Edom I will throw my sandal;
I will shout in triumph because of Philistia.
10 Who will bring me into the fortified city?
Who will lead me to Edom?"
11 God, have you not rejected us?
You do not go into battle with our army.
12 Give us help against the enemy,
for man's help is futile.
13 We will triumph with God's help;
he will trample down our enemies.
Psalm 108 is a psalm of war.
God promised success to the psalmist, but Yahweh failed to help him conquer the country of Edom. He needed God to give him victory over Edom.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
Here David is referring to himself by his heart. Also, the word "fixed" means to trust completely. Alternate translation: "My heart is fixed on you, God" or "I am trusting completely in you, God"
Here David is represented by his "glory." David refers to himself as having the honor of praising God. Alternate translation: "You honor me by allowing me to sing praises to you"
Here David describes playing his instruments as waking them up from sleep. Alternate translation: "I will praise you by playing the lute and the harp"
Here David is describing the dawn waking up like a person waking up in the morning. Alternate translation: "I will be praising you when the dawn comes"
when the sun rises
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These two phrases have similar meanings. They speak of the greatness of Yahweh's covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness as if they were objects that were tall enough to reach up to the sky. The abstract nouns "faithfulness" and "trustworthiness" can be translated as adjectives. Alternate translation: "For your covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness are greater than the distance between heaven and earth" or "For you are more faithful to your covenant and more worthy of people trusting you than the sky is higher than the earth"
The psalmist is asking God to show that he is exalted. Being exalted above the heavens represents being great. Alternate translation: "God, show that you are exalted above the heavens" or "God, show that you are great in the heavens"
Here Yahweh is referred to by his "glory." Alternate translation: "may you be exalted"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: Because those you love need rescuing" or "Rescue those you love"
Here Yahweh's "right hand" refers to his power. Alternate translation: "by your power"
Answering here represents responding to his request. Alternate translation: "respond to my request" or "answer my prayer"
This verse is the same as Psalms 60:6.
Here David describes God speaking something because he is holy as speaking "in his holiness," as if his holiness were something that he was physically inside of. Alternate translation: "God, because he is holy, has said"
Here God is speaking about dividing the land of Shechem and the Valley of Sukkoth.
to divide into portions
This verse is the same as Psalms 60:7.
God speaks of the tribe of Ephraim as if it were his army. The helmet symbolizes equipment for war. Alternate translation: "Ephraim is like a helmet I have chosen" or "The tribe of Ephraim is my army"
a hard hat that soldiers wear to protect their heads from injury
God chose men from the tribe of Judah to be the kings of his people, and he speaks of that tribe as if it were his scepter. Alternate translation: "The tribe of Judah is like my scepter" or "Judah is the tribe through whom I rule my people"
This verse is the same as Psalms 60:8.
God speaks of Moab being unimportant as if Moab were a washbasin or a lowly servant. Alternate translation: "Moab is like a bowl that I use for washing"
God was probably speaking of taking ownership of Edom as if he were symbolically throwing his sandal onto that land to show that he owns it. However some versions have other interpretations. Alternate translation: "I take ownership of the land of Edom" or "I throw my sandal onto the land of Edom to show that it is mine"
This verse is the same as Psalms 60:9.
This verse is almost the same as Psalms 60:10.
The psalmist uses this question to express his sadness that it seems that God has rejected them. Alternate translation: "It seems like you have rejected us!" or "God, you seem to have abandoned us!"
The psalmist speaks of God helping their army as if God were to go and fight with them. Alternate translation: "you do not help our army when we go into battle"
This verse is the same as Psalms 60:11.
"is worthless"
This verse is the same as Psalms 60:12.
"will defeat our enemies"
The psalmist speaks of God helping their army defeat their enemies as if God were to trample down the enemies. Alternate translation: "he will enable us to trample down our enemies" or "he will make us able to defeat our enemies.
1 God whom I praise,
do not be silent.
2 For the wicked and deceitful attack me;
they speak lies against me.
3 They surround me and say hateful things,
and they attack me without cause.
4 In return for my love they accuse me,
but I pray for them.
5 They repay me evil for good,
and hatred for my love.
6 Appoint a wicked man over such an enemy as these people;
appoint an accuser to stand at his right hand.
7 When he is judged, may he be found guilty;
may his prayer be considered sinful.
8 May his days be few;
may another take his office.
9 May his children be fatherless,
and may his wife be a widow.
10 May his children wander about and beg,
seeking food far from their ruined home.
11 May the creditor seize all he owns;
may strangers plunder the product of his labor.
12 May no one extend any kindness to him;
may no one have pity on his fatherless children.
13 May his descendants be cut off;
may their name be blotted out in the next generation.
14 May his ancestors' iniquity be remembered before Yahweh;
and may the sin of his mother not be forgotten.
15 May their sins always be before Yahweh;
may he cut off their memory from the earth.
16 May Yahweh do this, for that man never bothered to show any covenant faithfulness,
but harassed the oppressed, the needy,
and the brokenhearted to death.
17 He loved cursing;
may it come back upon him.
He hated blessing;
may it be far from him.
18 He clothed himself with cursing as his garment,
and his curse came into his body like water,
like oil into his bones.
19 May his curses be to him like the clothes he wears to cover himself,
like the belt he always wears.
20 May this be the reward of my accusers from Yahweh,
of those who say evil things about me.
21 Yahweh my Lord, deal kindly with me for your name's sake.
Because your covenant faithfulness is good, save me.
22 For I am oppressed and needy,
and my heart is wounded within me.
23 I am fading away like the shadow of the evening;
I am shaken off like a locust.
24 My knees are weak from fasting;
my body has become thin and has no fat.
25 I have become an object of scorn to my accusers;
when they see me, they shake their heads.
26 Help me, Yahweh my God;
save me by your covenant faithfulness.
27 Let them know that this is your hand,
that you, Yahweh, have done this.
28 They curse, but you bless;
when they attack, may they be put to shame,
but may your servant rejoice.
29 May my adversaries be clothed with shame;
may they wear their shame like a robe.
30 With my mouth I give great thanks to Yahweh;
I will praise him in the midst of a crowd.
31 For he will stand at the right hand of the one who is needy,
to save him from those who condemn him.
Psalm 109 is a psalm of vengeance against an enemy who has lied about him. (See: avenge)
This enemy lied about the psalmist. So he asked God to completely destroy his enemy and his enemy's family.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
The words "wicked" and "deceitful" refer to people. They have similar meanings and emphasize how bad these people are. Alternate translation: "For wicked and deceitful men"
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"Although I loved them"
"my love for them"
The word "they" refers to the people who are wicked and deceitful. You may need to make explicit that those who accuse the psalmist do so falsely. Alternate translation: "they accuse me falsely" or "they slander me"
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These two phrases are parallel and the phrases "a wicked man" and "an accuser" refer to the same person.
"at my enemy's right hand"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "When he is on trial, may the judge find him guilty"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "consider his prayer sinful"
The phrase "his days" refers to the length of his life. Alternate translation: "May he not live a long time"
"his position of authority"
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"their destroyed homes"
someone who lends money to another person but expects that the person will pay the money back
steal by force
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These two phrases have similar meanings and emphasize his descendants being destroyed.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Cause his descendants to be cut off" or "Cause his descendants to die"
Here the idea of there being no one to carry on the family name is spoke of as "their name being blotted out." Alternate translation: "may there be no one to carry on his name"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "May Yahweh remember the iniquity of this man's ancestors" or "May you remember the iniquity of his ancestors, Yahweh"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "May you not forget the sins that his mother committed"
Here David speaks about Yahweh thinking about their sins as if their sins were something physically present before him. Alternate translation: "May Yahweh always see their sins" or "May Yahweh always think about their sins"
David uses the word "earth" to refer to all the people that live on the earth. Also, the phrase "their memory" refers to people remembering the wicked after they have died. Alternate translation: "may Yahweh make it so that no one on earth remembers those wicked people"
This refers to him showing covenant faithfulness to people. The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. Sometimes this idea is expressed simply as "kindness" or "mercy. Alternate translation: "that man never did anything to show that he was faithful to his covenant with people" or "that man nevered bothered to be kind to people"
This refers to oppressed and needy people. Alternate translation: "oppressed people, needy people"
Possible meanings are 1) people who are very sad or 2) people who are discouraged and have no hope. Alternate translation: "brokenheared people" or "people who have lost hope"
"until they died." This means that he harassed them until they died.
"may his curses come upon him"
David speaks of the wicked person's behavior as if it were his clothing. This probably means he cursed people very often. Alternate translation: “Curses were like his clothing” or “He cursed people all the time”
Possible meanings are: 1) He spoke curses so often that they became a part of his identity. "the curses that he speaks are part of who he is" or 2) David prays that the wicked man will experience his own curses. Alternate translation: “may his curse come into his body like water, like oil into his bones”
People believed that oil rubbed on the skin went into the bones.
People wore their clothes everyday. David speaks of a wicked person always being cursed as if his curses always covered him as his clothing does. Alternate translation: "Let his curses be on him every day like the garment he wears"
The words "may his curses be to him" are understood from the previous phrase. They may be repeated here. Alternate translation: "may his curses be to him like the belt he always wears" or "and let his curses always be on him like the belt he always wears"
"May these curses be the reward"
This is a request for Yahweh to treat him kindly. Alternate translation: "treat me kindly"
"the sake of your reputation"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "Because you are good and are faithful to your covenant"
These two words have similar meanings and emphasize that he is unable to help himself.
Here David speaks of being in great despair as his heart being wounded. Alternate translation: "I am full of grief and despair"
David feels like he is going to die soon and describes this feeling by comparing himself to a fading shadow and to how the wind blows away locust. Alternate translation: "I feel like I am about to die, like an evening shadow that will soon disappear, like a locust is easily blown away by the wind"
This means that he is weak and it is difficult for him to stand. Alternate translation: "My legs are weak" or "I have difficulty standing"
"because I am not eating any food"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "My accusers ridicule me"
This is an act of disapproval.
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "save me because you are faithful to your covenant"
The word "them" refers to David's accusers and the people who say bad things about him.
The word "this" refers to God saving him. The phrase "your hand" is a metonym for what God has done. Alternate translation: "this is your work" or "this salvation is your doing"
"have saved me"
The word "they" refers to the people who accuse David and say bad things about him. Alternate translation: "They curse me, but you bless me"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "put the to shame" or "may they be ashamed"
"but may I, your servant, rejoice" or "I am your servant, let me rejoice." David uses the phrase "your servant" to refer to himself.
These two phrase have them same meaning and are used together for emphasize how greatly he wishes for them to be ashamed.
Here David speaks of them being ashamed as if were clothing they wore. Alternate translation: "be very ashamed"
David speaks of them being ashamed as if it were a robe that they wore. Alternate translation: "may their shame cover them just like their robe is wrapped around them"
This means that he will speak. Alternate translation: "I will speak and give"
This means that he will help and defend the poor person. Alternate translation: "will defend the one who is needy"
1 The declaration of Yahweh to my lord:
"Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies your footstool."
2 Yahweh will hold out the scepter of your strength from Zion;
rule among your enemies.
3 Your people will follow you in holy garments
of their own free will on the day of your power;
from the womb of the dawn your youth will be to you like the dew.
4 Yahweh has sworn and will not change his mind:
"You are a priest forever,
after the manner of Melchizedek."
5 The Lord is at your right hand.
He will kill kings on the day of his anger.
6 He will judge the nations;
he will fill the battlegrounds with dead bodies;
he will kill the leaders in many countries.
7 He will drink of the brook along the road,
and then he will lift his head up high after victory.
Psalm 110 is a psalm honoring the king as he becomes king and also a prophecy about Christ. (See: prophet and christ)
The king will be able to conquer his enemies. Christ is seen as both high priest and king. (See: highpriest)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
The phrase "my right hand" refers to the place of honor. Alternate translation: "Sit at the place of honor which I have for you"
Here David describes Yahweh placing his master's enemies under his power and control as putting them under his feet like a footstool. Alternate translation: "put your enemies under your power"
David continues speaking to the king.
Here David speaks of Yahweh extending the area that the king rules as holding out his scepter. Alternate translation: "Yahweh will extend the area over which you powerfully rule"
"King, rule among your enemies." This is spoken to the king as a command.
"by their own choice." This means that they will chose to follow the king.
This refers to the day that the king will lead his armies into battle. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "on the day that you lead your armies into battle"
David describes the dew as a baby to whom the dawn gives birth. Alternate translation: "in the morning ... like the dew"
David is telling the king that he will have youthful strength each morning by comparing it to how the dew appears early each morning. Alternate translation: "each morning you will be filled with youthful strength to sustain you just like each morning the dew appears to water and sustain the earth"
Yahweh is speaking to the lord, the one David calls "my master" in Psalms 110:1.
This means that he will not change what he has said. Alternate translation: "will not change his mind" or "will not change what he has said"
The idea of being priest is understood from the previous phrase. It can be stated clearly here. Alternate translation: "after the manner that Melchizedek was priest" or "in the same way that Melchizedek was priest"
When the lord goes to battle, Yahweh stands at his right hand in order to help him. Alternate translation: "The Lord helps you in battle"
The word "Lord" refers to Yahweh.
The word "He" refers to Yahweh. He will cause the kings to be defeated and die, but he will allow the king's armies to kill the enemy kings. Alternate translation: "He will cause the kings to die" or "He will allow your armies to kill the kings"
This refers to his enemies. Alternate translation: "enemy kings"
Here David speaks of the day when Yahweh will become angry and defeat the kings as "the day of his anger." Alternate translation: "on the day of judgment when his patience turns to anger"
This means that Yahweh will cause this to happen, not that he will personally kill all of the people who die on the battleground. Alternate translation: "he will cause the battlegrounds to be filled with death bodies"
This means that Yahweh will cause this to happen, not that he will personally kill the leaders. Alternate translation: "he will cause the leaders in many countries to be killed" or "he will allow the leaders in many countries to die"
The king only stops briefly for a drink and then he continues the pursuit of his enemies. Alternate translation: "As he pursues his enemies, he will only stop to drink quickly from a brook"
This means the he will drink water from the brook. A brook is a small stream. Alternate translation: "he will drink water from the brook"
"and so" or "therefore"
Possible meanings are 1) the king lifts up his own head or 2) Yahweh lifts up the head of the king.
People raised their heads when they are victorious, confident, and joyful. Alternate translation: "he will confidently lift his head after victory" or "he will be victorious"
1 Give praise to Yah. [1]
I will give thanks to Yahweh with my whole heart
in the assembly of the upright, in their gathering.
2 The works of Yahweh are great,
eagerly awaited by all those who desire them.
3 His work is majestic and glorious,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He does wonderful things that will be remembered;
Yahweh is gracious and merciful.
5 He gives food to his faithful followers.
He will always call to mind his covenant.
6 He showed his powerful works to his people
in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are trustworthy and just;
all his instructions are reliable.
8 They are established forever,
to be observed faithfully and properly.
9 He sent redemption to his people;
he ordained his covenant forever;
holy and awesome is his name.
10 To honor Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom;
those who carry out his instructions have good understanding.
His praise endures forever.
Psalm 111 is a psalm of praise to God for his miracles and care. (See: miracle)
God is great. He has given his people food and a land always keeps his promises to his people. (See: promise and peopleofgod)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
Here the word "heart" represents the person's entire inner being and emotions. Alternate translation: "with all that I am"
These two phrases mean that same thing and may be combined if necessary. Alternate translation: "in the gathering of upright people"
The word "them" refers to the "works of Yahweh." This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "all those who desire the works of Yahweh eagerly await them"
Possible meanings are 1) "sought after" or 2) "studied."
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This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "that people will always remember"
This is an idiom that means to remember. Alternate translation: "remember"
"his works that demonstrated his power"
The writer speaks of the land that belonged to the nations in Canaan as if it were their inheritance. Alternate translation: "the land that belonged to other nations"
Here the word "hands" refers to Yahweh, himself. Alternate translation: "The works that he does"
This means that Yahweh's instructions are unchangeable and will last forever. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "He has established them forever" or "They will last forever"
Possible meanings are 1) Yahweh has given his instructions in a faithful and proper manner or 2) his people are to observe Yahweh's instructions in a faithful and proper manner. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "for his people to observe them faithfully and properly"
Here the word "name" refers to Yahweh, himself. Alternate translation: "Yahweh is holy and awesome"
The word "wisdom" can be translated as "wise." Alternate translation: "the first step to becoming wise" or "the most important thing to become wise"
"those who obey his instructions"
The word "praise" can be translated as a verb. Alternate translation: "People will praise him forever"
1 Give praise to Yah. [1]
Blessed is the man who fears Yahweh,
who greatly delights in his commandments.
2 His descendants will be powerful on earth;
the descendants of the godly man will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in his house;
his righteousness will endure forever.
4 Light shines in the darkness for the godly person;
he is gracious, merciful, and just.
5 It goes well for the man who deals graciously and lends money,
who conducts his affairs with honesty.
6 For he will never be moved;
the righteous person will be remembered forever.
7 He does not fear bad news;
he is confident, trusting in Yahweh.
8 His heart is tranquil, without fear,
until he looks in triumph over his adversaries.
9 He gives freely to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever;
his horn will be exalted with honor.
10 The wicked person will see this and be angry;
he will grind his teeth in rage and he will melt away;
the desire of the wicked people will perish.
Psalm 112 is a wisdom psalm teaching the value of a righteous life. (See: wise and righteous)
The righteous people will be well-known for their generosity and they will not have to worry about bad news because God is taking care of them.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
"takes great pleasure"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Yahweh will bless the descendants of the godly man"
The person who sings this song continues to describe a person who reveres Yahweh.
Here the word "house" represents the family. The words "Wealth" and "riches" mean basically the same thing and indicate an abundance of wealth. Alternate translation: "His family is very wealthy"
The writer speaks of God blessing the godly person in difficult times as if it were a light shining in darkness. Alternate translation: "The blessings that a godly person receives from God are like a light that shines in the darkness"
The understood information can be made clear. Alternate translation: "lends his money to other people"
The person who sings this song continues to describe a person who reveres Yahweh.
he will not be troubled or overwhelmed by circumstances for his trust is in Yahweh? This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "For nothing will ever move him"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "people will remember the righteous person forever"
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The person who sings this song continues to describe a person who reveres Yahweh.
"His heart is supported." Here the word "heart" refers to the person. Possible meanings are 1) "He is at peace" or 2) "He is confident"
"his righteous deeds will endure forever." See how you translated this in Psalms 112:3.
The word "horn" here speaks of the person winning a military victory as if he were a wild ox raising his head. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Yahweh will give him honor by enabling him to win battles" or "Yahweh will give him honor by defeating his enemies"
"will see that things go well for the godly person." The word "this" refers to everything good that the writer has described in the previous verses about the godly person.
The grinding of teeth is an expression of extreme anger. See how you translated a similar phrase in [Psalms 35:16]
The writer speaks of the wicked person's eventual death as if that person were something, such as ice, that can melt. Alternate translation: "eventually die"
Possible meanings of "desire" are 1) the emotional desire that wicked people have. Alternate translation: "the things that wicked people want to do will never happen" or 2) it is a metonym for the things that wicked people have desired. Alternate translation: "wicked people will lose the things that they desired"
1 Give praise to Yah. [1]
Praise him, you servants of Yahweh;
praise the name of Yahweh.
2 Blessed be the name of Yahweh,
both now and forevermore.
3 From the rising of the sun to its setting,
Yahweh's name should be praised.
4 Yahweh is exalted above all nations,
and his glory reaches above the skies.
5 Who is like Yahweh our God,
who has his seat on high,
6 who humbles himself to look down
at the sky and at the earth?
7 He raises up the poor out of the dirt
and lifts up the needy from the ash heap,
8 so that he may seat him with princes,
with the princes of his people.
9 He gives a home to the barren woman of the house;
he makes her a joyful mother of children.
Give praise to Yah! [2]
Psalm 113 is a psalm of praise to God for his goodness. (See: good)
God helps the poor and gives children to the wife who cannot conceive children.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
Here the word "name" represents Yahweh, himself. Alternate translation: "Yahweh"
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This phrase refers to the directions east, where the sun rises, and west, where the sun sets. The writer uses these two extremes to represent everywhere on earth. See how you translated this in [Psalms 50:1]
Here the word "name" represents Yahweh, himself. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "people should praise Yahweh"
The glory of God is spoken of as if it was very high. Alternate translation: "his glory is higher than the skies" or "his glory is enormously great"
This is the first part of a rhetorical question that the writer asks to emphasize that there is no one like Yahweh. It may be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "There is no one like Yahweh our God, who has his seat on high"
"who is enthroned on high" or "who rules in the highest position"
This is the second part of a rhetorical question that the writer asks to emphasize that there is no one like Yahweh. It may be translated as a statement that begins a new sentence. Alternate translation: "There is no one like Yahweh our God, who humbles himself to look down at the sky and at the earth."
Possible meanings are 1) the writer is speaking literally of Yahweh's thoughts and emotions. Alternate translation: "is not too proud to look down" Or 2) this is a hyperbolic metaphor that speaks as if Yahweh needs to work to look at the sky and earth from heaven. Alternate translation: "needs to bow so he can look"
These two phrases are parallel. The writer speaks of Yahweh helping and honoring people who are poor as if Yahweh caused them to stand up from sitting in dirt and ashes.
Sitting in dirt and ashes represents either poverty or despair.
Here the second phrase clarifies that the first phrase refers to the princes of Yahweh's people. These two statements can be combined. Alternate translation: "so that Yahweh may seat him next to rulers of his people"
Here "home" refers to the children that live in a home. Alternate translation: "He gives children to the woman who had none"
1 When Israel left Egypt,
the house of Jacob from a people who spoke a foreign language,
2 Judah became his holy place,
Israel his kingdom.
3 The sea looked and fled;
the Jordan turned back.
4 The mountains skipped like rams,
the hills skipped like lambs.
5 Why did you flee, sea?
Jordan, why did you turn back?
6 Mountains, why did you skip like rams?
You little hills, why did you skip like lambs?
7 Tremble, earth, before the Lord,
at the presence of the God of Jacob.
8 He turned the rock into a pool of water,
the hard rock into a spring of water.
Psalm 114 is a psalm of praise to God for his miracles in bringing the people of Israel to the promised land. (See: miracle and promisedland)
The psalmist praised God for opening up the Red Sea for the people to cross, for providing the earthquake that stopped the Jordan River so the people could cross and providing water from a rock for the people to drink.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
These two lines are parallel, with "Israel" and "the house of Jacob" meaning the same thing and "Egypt" and "that foreign people" referring to the same people.
The word "house" here represents the family or descendents. The verb may be supplied to this phrase. Alternate translation: "the descendants of Jacob left people who spoke a language that the descendants of Jacob did not understand"
Possible meanings for "Judah" and "Israel" are 1) they refer to the land. Alternate translation: "The land of Judah became Yahweh's holy place, the land of Israel became his kingdom" or 2) they are metonyms for the people of Judah and Israel. Alternate translation: "The people of Judah became those among whom Yahweh lived, the people of Israel became those over whom he ruled"
The writer speaks of the Sea of Reeds as if it were a person who fled away as Yahweh led the people of Israel through on dry ground. Alternate translation: "It was as though the sea looked and fled"
The writer speaks of the Jordan River as if it were a person who retreated as Yahweh led the people of Israel through on dry ground. Alternate translation: "it was as though the Jordan retreated"
The writer speaks of the mountains and hills as if they are alive. He is probably speaking of an earthquake when he describes their fear at the presence of Yahweh as if they were jumping like rams and lambs. Alternate translation: "It was as if the mountains shook like jumping rams and the hills shook like jumping lambs"
Verses 5-6 contain four rhetorical questions. The expected answer to each question is found in verse 7, "because of the presence of the Lord."
The writer speaks of the mountains and hills as if they are alive. He is probably speaking of an earthquake when he describes their fear at the presence of Yahweh as if they were jumping like rams and lambs. See how you translated similar phrases in [Psalms 114:4]
The last two phrases are parallel. The verb may be supplied in the second line. Alternate translation: "Tremble, earth, before the Lord, tremble at the presence of the God of Jacob"
Possible meanings are 1) the writer is speaking to the earth as if it were a person and commands it to tremble with fear before God or 2) the word "earth" is a metonym for those who live on the earth. Alternate translation: "Tremble, everyone one earth"
These two phrases are parallel. The writer describes Yahweh causing water to flow from the rock as if he turned the rock into water.
The verb may be supplied from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: "He turned the hard rock into a spring of water"
1 Not to us, Yahweh, not to us,
but to your name bring honor,
for your covenant faithfulness
and for your trustworthiness.
2 Why should the nations say,
"Where is their God?"
3 Our God is in heaven;
he does whatever he pleases.
4 The nations' idols are silver and gold,
the work of men's hands.
5 Those idols have mouths, but they do not speak;
they have eyes, but they do not see;
6 they have ears, but they do not hear;
they have noses, but they do not smell.
7 Those idols have hands, but do not feel;
they have feet, but they cannot walk;
nor do they speak from their mouths.
8 Those who make them are like them,
as is everyone who trusts in them.
9 Israel, trust in Yahweh;
he is your help and shield.
10 House of Aaron, trust in Yahweh;
he is your help and shield.
11 You who honor Yahweh, trust in him;
he is your help and shield.
12 Yahweh takes notice of us and will bless us;
he will bless the family of Israel;
he will bless the family of Aaron.
13 He will bless those who honor him,
both young and old.
14 May Yahweh increase your numbers more and more,
yours and your descendants'.
15 May you be blessed by Yahweh,
who made heaven and earth.
16 The heavens belong to Yahweh;
but the earth he has given to mankind.
17 The dead do not give praise to Yah, [1]
nor do any who go down into silence;
18 But we will give praise to Yah,
now and forevermore.
Give praise to Yah! [2]
Psalm 115 is a psalm of praise.
God is in heaven and is able to do whatever he wants. Idols can not do anything. Therefore, people and priests should trust God for their protection. (See: heaven and priest and trust)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
The writer repeats the phrase "Not to us" in order to emphasize that they are not worthy to receive the honor that is due only to Yahweh. If necessary, a verbal phrase may be supplied here. Alternate translation: "Do not bring honor to us, Yahweh"
The word "us" refers to the people of Israel.
Here the word "name" represents Yahweh, himself. Alternate translation: "but bring honor to yourself"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated as an adjective. The abstract noun "trustworthiness" can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: "because you are faithful to your covenant and you are worthy of people trusting you"
This rhetorical question emphasizes that there should be no reason for the nations to say what they say. This question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "The people of the nations should not be able to say, 'Where is their God?'"
The people of other nations use this question to mock the people of Israel and to express that they do not see Yahweh helping them. This question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "Your God is not here to help you."
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Here the word "hands" represents the people who made the idols. Alternate translation: "things which men have made"
The idols do not have real mouths, eyes, ears, or noses. Rather, people made them with the likeness of mouths, eyes, ears, and noses. The writer is emphasizing that these idols are not really alive. You can make clear the implied information. Alternate translation: "People have given mouths to those idols"
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The idols do not have real hands, feet, or mouths. Rather, people made them with the likeness of hands, feet, and mouths. The writer is emphasizing that these idols are not really alive. You can make this implicit information clear. Alternate translation: "People have given hands to those idols"
"but those hands do not feel"
Those who make and worship idols become lifeless and powerless, just like those idols. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: "Those who make them become lifeless like they are, as does everyone who trusts in them"
The word "Israel" represents the people of Israel. Alternate translation: "People of Israel, trust in Yahweh"
The writer speaks of Yahweh as if he were a shield because he protects his people as a shield would protect them from harm. Alternate translation: "the one who helps you and protects you"
Here the word "House" represents the family or descendants. This phrase refers to the priests, who were descendants of Aaron. Alternate translation: "Descendants of Aaron" or "Priests"
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"has paid attention to us"
This refers to the people of Israel, who are descendants of Jacob, who also called Israel. Alternate translation: "the people of Israel"
This refers to the priests, who are descendants of Aaron. Alternate translation: "the descendants of Aaron" or "the priests"
"both small and great." Possible meanings are that this refers 1) to social status or 2) to age. In either case, the two extremes represent every person, regardless of age or social status.
The writer is speaking of the number of children that the people of Israel would have. Alternate translation: "May Yahweh increase the number of your children more and more"
"both your children and your descendants' children." The writer clarifies that his request for more children applies not only to the present generation, but to their descendants, as well.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "May Yahweh, who made heaven and earth, bless you"
This does not mean that the earth does not belong to Yahweh, but that has given the earth to mankind as a dwelling place.
The adjective "dead" may be translated with a noun phrase. Alternate translation: "People who are dead"
This parallel phrase has a similar meaning to phrase before it. The verb may be supplied from that previous phrase to make the meaning clear. Alternate translation: "nor do any who go down into silence praise Yahweh"
The writer speaks of the grave or the place of the dead as a place of silence where no one can speak. This is a euphemism for death. Alternate translation: "nor do any who go to the place of the dead"
The word "we" refers to the people of Israel who are still alive.
1 I love Yahweh because he hears
my voice and my pleas for mercy.
2 Because he listened to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The cords of death surrounded me,
and the snares of Sheol confronted me;
I felt anguish and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of Yahweh:
"I beg you, Yahweh, rescue my life."
5 Yahweh is gracious and just;
our God is compassionate.
6 Yahweh protects the naive;
I was brought low, and he saved me.
7 My soul can return to its resting place,
for Yahweh has been good to me.
8 For you rescued my life from death,
my eyes from tears,
and my feet from stumbling.
9 I will serve Yahweh
in the land of the living.
10 I believed in him, even when I said,
"I am greatly afflicted."
11 In my alarm I said,
"All men are liars."
12 How can I repay Yahweh
for all his kindnesses to me?
13 I will raise the cup of salvation,
and call on the name of Yahweh.
14 I will fulfill my vows to Yahweh
in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of Yahweh
is the death of his faithful ones.
16 Yahweh, indeed, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your servant woman;
you have taken away my bonds.
17 I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving
and will call on the name of Yahweh.
18 I will fulfill my vows to Yahweh
in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of Yahweh,
in your midst, Jerusalem.
Give praise to Yah! [1]
Psalm 116 is a psalm of praise for saving the psalmist's life. (See: save)
The author was very sick and expected to die but God healed him. So he will pay his vow and sacrifice an offering of thanks. (See: vow)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
Here the word "voice" represents the person who is speaking. The abstract nouns "pleas" and "mercy" can be stated as "plead" and "merciful." Alternate translation: "he hears me when I plead for him to be merciful to me"
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The person who composed this psalm continues to speak.
The writer speaks of death as if it were a person who could capture him and bind him with ropes. See how you translated this in [Psalms 18:4]
The writer speaks of "Sheol," the place of the dead, as if it were a person who could trap him with snares. Alternate translation: "I felt as if I were ready to enter the grave"
Here the word "name" represents Yahweh himself. Alternate translation: "called out to Yahweh"
Here the word "life" represents the person. Alternate translation: "rescue me" or "keep me from dying"
The person who made this song continues to speak.
This refers to people who are inexperienced or who cannot care for themselves. The adjective can be translated as a noun phrase. Alternate translation: "those who are naive" or "those who are helpless"
The writer speaks of being humbled as in being in a lower position. Alternate translation: "I was helpless"
The person who composed this psalm continues to speak.
The writer speaks of having peace and confidence as if it were a place where his soul can rest. The word "soul" represents the person. Alternate translation: "I can rest in peace again"
Here the word "you" refers to Yahweh. The word "life" represents the person. Alternate translation: "you have saved me from death" or "you have kept me from dying"
"you have kept me from crying"
The feet here represent the person. Stumbling here probably represents being killed by his enemies. Alternate translation: "you have rescued me from stumbling" or "you have kept me from being killed by my enemies"
The person who composed this psalm continues to speak.
"in this world where people are alive." This is in contrast to the place of the dead.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I suffer greatly" or "People afflict me very much"
"I said too quickly" or "I said without considering"
"Every person is a liar" or "All people are liars"
The person who made this song continues to speak.
The writer asks this leading question to introduce how he will respond to what Yahweh has done for him. This question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "This is how I will repay Yahweh ... to me."
This is probably a reference to a drink offering, which was a sacrifice that involved pouring wine on the altar, and which the writer will offer in response to Yahweh saving him. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: "I will present a drink offering to Yahweh because he saved me"
Here the word "name" represents Yahweh himself. Alternate translation: "call on Yahweh"
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The word "Precious" here does not imply that Yahweh values the death of his saints, but that the death of his saints is costly to him and grieves him. Here sight represents judgment or evaluation. Alternate translation: "Yahweh considers the death of his saints to be a costly thing"
The person who composed this psalm continues to speak.
This is likely a reference to the writer's mother and indicates that she faithfully worshiped Yahweh. The full meaning of this can be made clear. Alternate translation: "as my mother was"
The writer speaks of being in danger of dying as if he had been chained in prison. Alternate translation: "you have saved me from death"
"a sacrifice to express my thankfulness"
Here the word "name" represents Yahweh himself. Alternate translation: "will call on Yahweh"
The person who made this song continues to speak.
See how you translated Psalms 116:14.
The word "house" refers to Yahweh's temple. Alternate translation: "in the courtyards of Yahweh's temple"
The writer speaks to Jerusalem as though it were a person. Alternate translation: "in Jerusalem"
1 Praise Yahweh, all you nations;
exalt him, all you peoples.
2 For his covenant faithfulness is great toward us,
and the trustworthiness of Yahweh endures forever.
Give praise to Yah! [1]
Psalm 117 is a psalm of praise.
Everyone should praise God for his love and unending faithfulness. (See: love and faithful)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
"Because his"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "he does great things for us because he is faithful to his covenant"
The abstract noun "trustworthiness" can be translated with an adjective or a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: "Yahweh remains trustworthy forever" or "Yahweh will forever be worthy of people trusting him"
1 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good,
his covenant faithfulness endures forever.
2 Let Israel say,
"His covenant faithfulness endures forever."
3 Let the house of Aaron say,
"His covenant faithfulness endures forever."
4 Let the loyal followers of Yahweh say,
"His covenant faithfulness endures forever."
5 In my distress I called out to Yah;
Yah answered me and set me in a spacious place. [1]
6 Yahweh is with me; I will not be afraid;
what can man do to me?
7 Yahweh is on my side as my helper;
I will look in triumph on those who hate me.
8 It is better to take shelter in Yahweh
than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to take refuge in Yahweh
than to put one's trust in princes.
10 All the nations surrounded me;
in Yahweh's name I cut them off.
11 They surrounded me; yes, they surrounded me;
in Yahweh's name I cut them off.
12 They surrounded me like bees;
they disappeared as quickly as fire among thorns;
in Yahweh's name I cut them off.
13 "You attacked me to knock me down,
but Yahweh helped me.
14 Yah is my strength and joy,
and he is the one who rescues me." [2]
15 The joyful shout of victory is heard in the tents of the righteous;
the right hand of Yahweh conquers.
16 The right hand of Yahweh is exalted;
the right hand of Yahweh conquers.
17 I will not die, but live
and declare what Yah has done. [3]
18 Yah has punished me harshly,
but he has not handed me over to death. [4]
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness;
I will enter them and I will give thanks to Yah. [5]
20 This is the gate of Yahweh;
the righteous enter through it.
21 I will give thanks to you, for you answered me,
and you have become my salvation.
22 The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
23 This is Yahweh's doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day on which Yahweh has acted;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 We beg you, Yahweh, please give us victory!
We beg you, Yahweh, please give us success!
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of Yahweh;
we bless you from the house of Yahweh.
27 Yahweh is God, and he has given us light;
bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
you are my God; I will exalt you.
29 Oh, give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good,
for his covenant faithfulness endures forever.
Psalm 118 is a psalm of war and is about Christ. (See: christ)
The author praised Yahweh for his rescuing him. God enabled him to overpower his enemies. The new Testament, and even Jesus himself, saw the rejected stone as a reference to the Messiah's rejection by the Jewish leaders. (See: christ)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
"Thank Yahweh because of the good things he does"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "he remains faithful to his covenant forever"
The word "Israel" represents the people of Israel. Alternate translation: "Let the people of Israel say"
Here the word "house" represents the family and descendants of a person. This phrase refers to the priests, who were descendants of Aaron. Alternate translation: "Let the descendants of Aaron say" or "Let the priests say"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. See how you translated this in [Psalms 118:1-2]
"those who fear Yahweh" or "those who worship Yahweh"
The writer speaks of Yahweh saving him from distress as if Yahweh had taken him from a place of confinement to a wide open space where he could move about freely.
The writer asks this rhetorical question to emphasize that there is nothing that man can do to hurt him since Yahweh is with him. This question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "people cannot do anything to harm me."
To be on one's side is an idiomatic expression that indicates that that person approves of and will help another. Alternate translation: "Yahweh approves of me and will help me"
It is implied that Yahweh is the one who will defeat the writer's enemies, while the writer looks on. The full meaning of this can be made clear. Alternate translation: "I will see Yahweh defeating all those who hate me"
God is spoken of as if he were a shelter, a place where people can be protected. Alternate translation: "to seek protection from Yahweh"
This verse is parallel to the one preceding it. God is spoken of as if he were a refuge, a place where people can be protected. Alternate translation: "to seek protection from Yahweh"
Here the word "nations" represents the armies of those nations. The writer uses hyperbole to emphasize the great number of armies that surrounded him. Alternate translation: "The armies of many nations"
Here the word "name" represents Yahweh's power. Alternate translation: "by Yahweh's power"
The writer speaks of defeating the enemy armies as if he were cutting them off like a person would cut a branch off of a plant. Alternate translation: "I defeated them"
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The writer compares the enemy armies to a swarm of bees. Alternate translation: "They surrounded me like a swarm of bees would surround a person"
Just like dry thorns burn out quickly, the attack of the enemy armies was quickly over. Alternate translation: "their attack lasted only a short time, as a fire that consumes thorns quickly dies"
The writer speaks of the enemy armies trying to defeat him as if they were trying to push him down onto the ground. Alternate translation: "in order to defeat me"
"Yah gives me strength and joy"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "People hear the joyful shout of victory in the tents of the righteous" or "The righteous shout joyfully for victory in their tents"
Here the word "hand" represents Yahweh's power. Alternate translation: "Yahweh has conquered by his great strength"
Here, to raise one's hand is a gesture of victory. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Yahweh has exalted his right hand" or "Yahweh has raised his right hand in victory"
The writer states the same idea both negatively and positively to emphasize that he will certainly live.
"Yah has disciplined me"
The writer speaks of death as if it were a person under whose power Yahweh could place the writer. Alternate translation: "he has not allowed me to die" or "he has not allowed my enemies to kill me"
"Open to me the gates through which the righteous people enter." This is a reference to the gates of the temple, and the writer is addressing the gatekeepers. The full meaning of this can be made clear. Alternate translation: "Open for me the temple gates"
"the gate that leads to Yahweh's presence" or "Yahweh's gate"
Here the writer begins to speak to Yahweh.
The word "salvation" can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: "you have saved me"
This is likely a proverb that the writer has used to describe either the king or the nation of Israel. That which others have considered worthless, Yahweh has made to be the most important.
Possible meanings are 1) "it is a marvelous thing for us to see" or 2) "we consider it to be a marvelous thing."
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize the intensity of joy. Alternate translation: "be very glad"
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Here the priests begin to address the king.
Here the word "name" represents Yahweh's power. Alternate translation: "the one who comes in the power of the Yahweh"
Here the priests address the people.
The word "house" refers to the temple. Alternate translation: "Yahweh's temple"
The writer speaks of Yahweh blessing his people as if Yahweh were shining a light on them. Alternate translation: "he has blessed us"
"tie the sacrifice with rope"
Here the writer begins to speak again and addresses Yahweh directly.
This is an exclamation that should be translated with whatever exclamation of emphasis you have in your language to make it sound natural.
"thank Yahweh because of the good things he does." See how you translated this in Psalms 118:1.
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. See how you translated this in [Psalms 118:1-2]
1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
who walk in the law of Yahweh.
2 Blessed are they who keep his solemn commands,
who seek him with all their heart.
3 They do no wrong;
they walk in his ways.
4 You have commanded us to keep your instructions
so that we should carefully observe them.
5 Oh, that I would be firmly established
in the observance of your statutes!
6 Then I would not be put to shame
when I think of all your commandments.
7 I will give thanks to you with an upright heart
when I learn your righteous decrees.
8 I will observe your statutes;
do not leave me alone.
9 How can a young person keep his path pure?
By obeying your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
Do not let me stray from your commandments.
11 I have stored up your word in my heart
so that I might not sin against you.
12 Blessed you are, Yahweh;
teach me your statutes.
13 With my mouth I have declared
all the righteous decrees that you have revealed.
14 I rejoice in the way of your covenant decrees
more than in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your instructions
and pay attention to your ways.
16 I delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
17 Be kind to your servant so that I may live
and keep your word.
18 Open my eyes so that I may see
marvelous things in your law.
19 I am a foreigner in the land;
do not hide your commandments from me.
20 My desires are crushed by the longing to know
your righteous decrees at all times.
21 You rebuke the proud, who are cursed,
who wander from your commandments.
22 Spare me from disgrace and contempt,
for I have obeyed your solemn commands.
23 Though rulers plot and slander me,
your servant meditates on your statutes.
24 Your solemn commands are my delight,
and they are my counselors.
25 My life clings to the dust!
Give me life by your word.
26 I told you my ways, and you answered me;
teach me your statutes.
27 Make me understand the ways of your instructions,
so that I can meditate on your wondrous teachings.
28 I am overwhelmed with grief!
Strengthen me by your word.
29 Turn from me the path of deceit;
graciously teach me your law.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have always kept your righteous decrees before me.
31 I cling to your covenant decrees;
Yahweh, do not let me be shamed.
32 I will run in the path of your commandments,
for you enlarge my heart to do so.
33 Teach me, Yahweh, the way of your statutes,
and I will keep them to the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I will keep your law;
I will observe it with all my heart.
35 Guide me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight to walk in it.
36 Direct my heart toward your covenant decrees
and away from unrighteous gain.
37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
revive me in your ways.
38 Carry out for your servant the word
that you gave to those who revere you.
39 Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your judgments are good.
40 See, I have longed for your instructions;
revive me in your righteousness.
41 Yahweh, give me your unfailing love—
your salvation, according to your word;
42 then I will have a reply for the one who mocks me,
for I trust in your word.
43 Do not take the word of truth from my mouth,
for my hope is in your righteous decrees.
44 I will observe your law continually,
forever and ever.
45 I will walk securely,
for I seek your instructions.
46 I will speak of your solemn commands before kings
and will not be ashamed.
47 I delight in your commandments,
which I love dearly.
48 I will lift up my hands to your commandments, which I love;
I will meditate on your statutes.
49 Call to mind your word to your servant
because you have given me hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction:
that your word has kept me alive.
51 The proud have scoffed at me,
yet I have not turned away from your law.
52 I have thought about your righteous decrees from ancient times, Yahweh,
and I comfort myself.
53 Hot anger has taken hold of me
because of the wicked who reject your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs
in the house of my sojourn.
55 I think about your name during the night, Yahweh,
and I keep your law.
56 This has been my practice
because I have observed your instructions.
57 Yahweh is my portion;
I have determined to observe your words.
58 I earnestly request your favor with my whole heart;
be merciful to me according to your word.
59 I examined my ways
and turned my feet to your solemn commands.
60 I hurry and do not delay
to keep your commandments.
61 The cords of the wicked have ensnared me;
I have not forgotten your law.
62 At midnight I rise to give thanks to you
because of your righteous decrees.
63 I am a companion of all who honor you,
to all who observe your instructions.
64 The earth, Yahweh, is full of your covenant faithfulness;
teach me your statutes.
65 You have done good to your servant,
Yahweh, by means of your word.
66 Teach me proper discernment and understanding,
for I have believed in your commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I observe your word.
68 You are good, and you are one who does good;
teach me your statutes.
69 The arrogant have smeared me with lies,
but I keep your instructions with my whole heart.
70 Their hearts are hardened,
but I delight in your law.
71 It is good for me that I have suffered
so that I would learn your statutes.
72 Instruction from your mouth is more precious to me
than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.
73 Your hands have made and fashioned me;
give me understanding so that I may learn your commandments.
74 Those who honor you will be glad when they see me
because I find hope in your word.
75 I know, Yahweh, that your decrees are just,
and that in faithfulness you afflicted me.
76 Let your covenant faithfulness comfort me,
according to your word to your servant.
77 Show me compassion so that I may live,
for your law is my delight.
78 Let the proud be put to shame,
for they have slandered me;
but I will meditate on your instructions.
79 May those who honor you turn to me,
those who know your solemn commands.
80 May my heart be blameless with respect to your statutes
so that I may not be put to shame.
81 I faint with longing that you might rescue me!
I hope in your word.
82 My eyes long for your word;
when will you comfort me?
83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke;
I do not forget your statutes.
84 How long must your servant endure this;
when will you judge those who persecute me?
85 The proud have dug pits for me,
defying your law.
86 All your commandments are reliable;
those people persecute me wrongfully; help me.
87 They have almost made an end to me on earth,
but I do not reject your instructions.
88 By your steadfast love, keep me alive,
so that I may obey the solemn commands that come from your mouth.
89 Yahweh, your word stands forever;
your word is established firmly in heaven.
90 Your faithfulness lasts for all generations;
you have established the earth, and it remains.
91 All things continue to this day, just as you said in your righteous decrees,
for all things are your servants.
92 If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your instructions,
for through them you have kept me alive.
94 I am yours; save me,
for I seek your instructions.
95 The wicked prepare to destroy me,
but I will seek to understand your solemn commands.
96 All perfection I have seen has an end;
but your command is exceedingly broad.
97 Oh how I love your law!
It is my meditation all day long.
98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies,
for your commandments are always with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your covenant decrees.
100 I understand more than those older than I am;
this is because I have kept your instructions.
101 I have kept my feet back from every evil path
so that I might observe your word.
102 I have not turned aside from your righteous decrees,
for you have instructed me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through your instructions I gain discernment;
therefore I hate every false way.
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.
106 I have sworn and have confirmed it,
that I will observe your righteous decrees.
107 I am very afflicted;
keep me alive, Yahweh, as you have promised in your word.
108 Yahweh, please accept the freewill offerings of my mouth,
and teach me your righteous decrees.
109 My life is always in my hand,
yet I do not forget your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare for me,
but I have not strayed from your instructions.
111 I claim your covenant decrees as my heritage forever,
for they are the joy of my heart.
112 My heart is set on obeying your statutes
forever to the very end.
113 I hate those who have a double mind,
but I love your law.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in your word.
115 Get away from me, you evildoers,
so that I may observe the commandments of my God.
116 Sustain me by your word so that I may live
and not be ashamed of my hope.
117 Support me, and I will be safe;
I will always meditate on your statutes.
118 You reject all those who stray from your statutes,
for their deceit is vain.
119 You remove all the wicked of the earth like slag;
therefore I love your solemn commands.
120 My body trembles in fear of you,
and I am afraid of your righteous decrees.
121 I do what is just and right;
do not abandon me to my oppressors.
122 Guarantee the welfare of your servant;
do not let the proud oppress me.
123 My eyes grow tired as I wait for your salvation
and for your righteous word.
124 Show your servant your covenant faithfulness,
and teach me your statutes.
125 I am your servant; give me understanding
so that I may know your solemn commands.
126 It is time for Yahweh to act,
for people have broken your law.
127 Truly I love your commandments
more than gold, more than fine gold.
128 Therefore I carefully follow all your instructions,
and I hate every path of falsehood.
129 Your rules are wonderful,
that is why I obey them.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
it gives understanding to the untrained.
131 I open my mouth and pant,
for I long for your commandments.
132 Turn to me and have mercy on me,
as you always do for those who love your name.
133 Direct my footsteps by your word;
do not let any wickedness rule me.
134 Redeem me from human oppression
so that I may observe your instructions.
135 Let your face shine on your servant,
and teach me your statutes.
136 Streams of tears run down from my eyes
because people do not observe your law.
137 You are righteous, Yahweh,
and your decrees are fair.
138 You have given your solemn commands righteously
and faithfully.
139 Zeal has destroyed me
because my adversaries forget your words.
140 Your word has been tested very much,
and your servant loves it.
141 I am insignificant and despised,
yet I do not forget your instructions.
142 Your justice is forever justice,
and your law is trustworthy.
143 Though distress and anguish have found me,
your commandments are still my delight.
144 Your covenant decrees are righteous forever;
give me understanding that I may live.
145 I cried out with my whole heart, "Answer me, Yahweh,
I will keep your statutes.
146 I call to you; save me,
and I will observe your solemn commands."
147 I rise before the dawn of the morning and cry for help.
I hope in your words.
148 My eyes are open before the night watches change
so that I might meditate on your word.
149 Hear my voice in your covenant faithfulness;
keep me alive, Yahweh, as you have promised in your righteous decrees.
150 Those who are persecuting me are coming closer to me,
but they are far from your law.
151 You are near, Yahweh,
and all your commandments are trustworthy.
152 Long ago I learned from your solemn commands
that you had set them in place forever.
153 Look on my affliction and help me,
for I do not forget your law.
154 Plead my cause and redeem me;
keep me alive according to your word.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not love your statutes.
156 Great are your merciful actions, Yahweh;
keep me alive, as you always do.
157 My persecutors and my foes are many,
yet I have not turned from your covenant decrees.
158 I view the treacherous with disgust
because they do not keep your word.
159 See how I love your instructions;
keep me alive, Yahweh, as you have promised by your covenant faithfulness.
160 The essence of your word is truth;
every one of your righteous decrees lasts forever.
161 Princes persecute me without cause,
but my heart stands in awe of your word.
162 I rejoice at your word
like one who finds great plunder.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood,
but I love your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you
because of your righteous decrees.
165 Great peace they have, those who love your law;
nothing makes them stumble.
166 I hope for your salvation, Yahweh,
and I obey your commandments.
167 I observe your solemn commands,
and I love them greatly.
168 I keep your instructions and your solemn commands,
for you are aware of everything I do.
169 Listen to my cry for help, Yahweh;
give me understanding into your word.
170 May my plea come before you;
help me according to your word.
171 May my lips pour out praise,
for you teach me your statutes.
172 Let my tongue sing about your word,
for all your commandments are right.
173 May your hand help me,
for I have chosen your instructions.
174 I long for your rescue, Yahweh,
and your law is my delight.
175 May I live and praise you,
and may your righteous decrees help me.
176 I have wandered off like a lost sheep;
seek your servant,
for I have not forgotten your commandments.
This is a certain kind of psalm called an acrostic. The Hebrew language has twenty-two letters, and this psalm has twenty-two groups of verses, one group for each letter of the alphabet. Each group has eight verses, and each verse in a group begins with the same letter. The verses in the first group begin with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the verses in the second group begin with the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and so on through the whole alphabet.
In the ULB, the names of the Hebrew letters are written in uppercase letters before each group of verses that begin with that letter. The names of the first four Hebrew letters are ALEPH, BETH, GIMEL, and DALETH. You will be able to recognize the names of the other Hebrew letters as you see them because they, too, are written in uppercase letters. These letter names are not actually part of the psalm, but many translations use them to help the readers see its structure.
Psalm 119 is a wisdom psalm about the Law of God. (See: wise and lawofmoses)
The author loved the law of God and was blessed by obeying it. (See: love and bless)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
"Aleph" is the name of the first letter in the Hebrew alphabet. Each of verses 1 through 8 begins with this Hebrew letter. See "Formatting in this chapter" in Psalm 119 General Notes.
"How good it is for those"
How a person behaves is spoken of as "ways" or "paths." Alternate translation: "those whose behavior is blameless" or "those whom no one can blame for doing wrong"
The way a person lives or behaves is spoken of as walking. Alternate translation: "who live according to the law of Yahweh" or "who obey the law of Yahweh." This phrase clarifies the meaning of "whose ways are blameless"
To "seek" God means to want to know him.
This is an idiom which means intensely or sincerely. Alternate translation: "with all their being" or "with everything in them" or "sincerely"
Most of this psalm is addressed to God, and the words "you" and "your" almost always refer to him.
They do not disobey Yahweh.
"they walk in Yahweh's ways." Here their behavior is spoken of as "walking," and the way God wants them to behave is spoken of as "his ways." Alternate translation: "they behave as Yahweh wants them to"
"obey all the things that you have declared that we should do"
This is to carefully know and understand the commandments and to obey those commandments.
The writer speaks of being established in God's commandments as if no one could physically make him move.
"in obeying your statutes"
The writer does not want to be ashamed when he is in God's presence.
"all that you have commanded us"
"a sincere heart." A person who is sincere will do what is right. The heart refers to the center of emotions in a person. See how you translated "uprightness" in [Psalms 25:21]
"Statutes" refers to God's laws or commands.
"Beth" is the name of the second letter in the Hebrew alphabet. Each of verses 9 through 16 begins with this Hebrew letter. See "Formatting in this chapter" in Psalm 119 General Notes.
This question is used to introduce a new value to the word of God. This rhetorical question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "This is how a young person can keep his path pure"
The writer compares living according to God's law as a path kept clear of obstructions.
This is an idiom. The heart refers to all of one's emotions, feelings, desires, and will. Alternate translation: "with all my being" or "with everything in me" or "sincerely"
Here to disobey God's commandments is described as straying off a path. Alternate translation: "Do not let me disobey your commandments"
"I have put your words in my heart." This is a metaphor that means "I have memorized your word." The heart is pictured as a container that can hold what people think.
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"more than all the wealth"
These are parallel thoughts that have similar meanings, which are repeated for emphasis.
"think carefully about what you have instructed us"
This idiom refers to thinking clearly about what is being discussed. Alternate translation: "give careful thought"
to take pleasure
"Gimel" is the name of the third letter in the Hebrew alphabet. Each of verses 17 through 24 begins with this Hebrew letter. See "Formatting in this chapter" in Psalm 119 General Notes.
The writer called himself "your servant" to show his humility.
The author speaks of gaining understanding, knowledge and wisdom as being able to see. Alternate translation: Help me to understand"
The author speaks of insight into the law as objects to marvel at.
"in your instructions" or "in your commands"
Possible meanings are 1) the writers speaks of his short life on earth as if he were a foreigner who would not stay long in the land. Alternate translation: "I am like a foreigner living a short time in the land" or 2) the writer's ignorance of God's law as if he were a foreigner who did not know the laws of the land. Alternate translation: "I am ignorant like a foreigner in the land"
The writer speaks of his desires being very strong as if they were in pain. Alternate translation: "My inner being strongly desires to know" or "My soul aches because I want so much to know"
Possible meanings are that 1) God will curse them or 2) they deserve God's punishment. Alternate translation: "who deserve your punishment"
The writer speaks of disobeying God's commandments as if they were a path that can be wandered off from. Alternate translation: "who go away from the path of your commandments" or "who disobey your commandments"
"Keep me from" or "Rescue me from"
"Though rulers make plans to harm me and say bad things about me"
"Your solemn commands make me very happy."
God's decrees are spoken of as if they were people. Alternate translation: "they are like wise counselors to me" or "they give me wise counsel"
"Daleth" is the name of the fourth letter in the Hebrew alphabet. Each of verses 25 through 32 begins with this Hebrew letter. See "Formatting in this chapter" in Psalm 119 General Notes.
This is an idiom. Possible meanings are that 1) he thought that he would die soon, or 2) he lay in the dust because he was very sad, or 3) he realized that he desired the worthless things of the earth.
This is an idiom. Here "life" refers to purpose and significance, not just biological life.
"according to your promise"
What a person does or how he behaves is spoken of as if it were a road or way. Alternate translation: "what I have done"
"amazing teachings"
"because I am so sad"
"Make me strong." This may refer to physical strength or spiritual strength.
The word "path" here refers to a way of behaving. Alternate translation: "Keep me from following the path of deceit" or "Prevent me from being deceptive"
Possible meanings are 1) "lying" or 2) "believing lies" or "following lies."
How a person behaves or acts is spoken as if it were a road or way. Alternate translation: "to be faithful to you"
Holding tightly to them refers to being committed to obeying them. Alternate translation: "I hold tightly to your covenant decrees" or "I am committed to obeying your covenant decrees"
This refers to the law of Moses.
The writer speaks of being focused or committed to obeying God's commands as if one is running on a path. Alternate translation: "I will be committed to obey your commands"
This is an idiom. Possible meanings are 1) "you help me gain greater understanding of your commands" or 2) "you give me greater desire to obey your commands"
This is another way of describing the law of Moses.
Possible meanings are 1) "completely" or 2) "to the end of my life" or 3) "to the end of time."
"obey your law"
"I will surely observe your law" or "I am completely committed to doing what it says"
This is an idiom. Alternate translation: "with all my being" or "with everything in me" or "sincerely"
"Guide me according to your commandments" or "Teach me to obey your commandments." God's commandments are compared to a path that a person walks in obedience to God.
This is an idiom. The "heart" here refers to the will, desires, and choices that directs one's life. Alternate translation: "Make me want"
"to obey your covenant decrees." This is referring to obeying the law of Moses.
"the desire for riches." This is referring to wealth gained by illegal methods or wrongdoing towards others.
This is a metaphor that refers to one desiring things that have no eternal value.
"make me able to live as you wish me to live"
"make my life strong" or "give me strength"
The word "word" here is a metonym for the promise that Yahweh gave by speaking words. Alternate translation: "Do for your servant what you promised to do for those who revere you"
The writer referred to himself as God's servant to show his humility. Alternate translation: "me, your servant"
"I am very afraid of"
God judges rightly and his decisions are good. Alternate translation: "Your judge rightly"
This refers to being aware of the situation. The focus is on knowledge or understanding, rather than just observing.
Possible meanings are 1) "I want very much to know your instructions" or 2) "I want very much to obey what you teach us to do."
The word "righteousness" is an abstract noun and refers to being righteous. Alternate translation: "revive me because you are righteous"
Possible meanings are 1) "Keep me alive" or 2) "Make me strong."
You may make clear the understood information. Alternate translation: "give me your salvation" or "save me"
The word "word" here is a metonym for the promise that Yahweh made using words. Alternate translation: "as you promised"
"an answer" or "a response"
Here the writer is represented by his "mouth." Possible meanings are 1) "never prevent me from speaking the message about the truth" or 2) "never prevent me from speaking the true message."
"I will obey"
To walk securely is to live one's life securely. Alternate translation: "I will live securely in God"
To "seek" is to perceive, or gain understanding of God's instructions as if one can see them.
"serious commands to kings" or "instructions to kings"
Possible meanings are 1) "I find delight in studying your commandments" or 2) "I am delighted that I have the opportunity to study your commandments."
This is an idiom which means to honor, cherish or respect God's commandments.
The word "word" here is a metonym for the promise Yahweh gave by speaking words. See how you translated this in [Psalms 20:3]
The word "word" here is a metonym for the promise Yahweh gave by speaking words. This clause can be restructured. Alternate translation: "The reason for my comfort is that your promise has kept me alive in my affliction"
This nominal adjective can be stated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "The proud people"
to mock someone or something that is looked down on, doubted, or not honored
This is a reference to when the decrees, the Law, were given to Moses many years before.
This is an idiom. Anger is expressed as if it is a person that can grab another person. Alternate translation: "I have become very angry"
"I have used your statutes as lyrics to my music" or "I have created songs from your statutes"
Here the word "name" represents Yahweh himself. Alternate translation: "I think about you, Yahweh"
This is an idiom which means to obey the law. Alternate translation: "I obey your law"
"my habit"
This is an idiom which means to follow or to obey those instructions. Alternate translation: "I have obeyed your instructions"
This means Yahweh is all he wants. Just as the Levites did not receive vast territories of land for the Lord was to be their portion so the writer claims Yahweh as the satisfier of his needs.
The word "word" here is a metonym for the promise that Yahweh made using words. Alternate translation: "as you promised"
Here "feet" represent the whole person. To repent and choose to obey God's laws is like turning one's feet on a path to head in another direction. Alternate translation: "changed my direction"
The writer expresses the same idea both positively and negatively in order to emphasize the urgency with which he obeys Yahweh's commands.
In this metaphor, wicked or evil people tried to cause the writer to sin like a hunter seeking to catch an animal with a trap. Alternate translation: "My enemies have tried to catch me"
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"I am a friend of all who honor you"
People everywhere in the world being able to see evidence of Yahweh's covenant faithfulness is spoken of as if his covenant faithfulness filled the earth. The abstract noun "covenant faithfulness" can be translated as an adjective. See how you translated a similar phrase in [Psalms 33:5]
The writer refers to himself as "your servant." Alternate translation: "to me, your servant" or "to me"
This is an idiom. "Your word" refers to the promises Yahweh has made to the writer. Alternate translation: "as you have promised"
Some languages may require change in logical progression. Alternate translation: "Since I have believed in your commandments, teach me proper discernment and understanding"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Before you afflicted me" or "Before you punished me"
Disobeying God is spoken of as if the person walked on the wrong path. Alternate translation: "I disobeyed you"
Here "word" represents commandments. Alternate translation: "I obey your commandments"
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This nominal adjective can be stated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "Arrogant people"
People telling many lies about a person is spoken of as if they made the person dirty by spreading lies over him.
Here "heart" represents a person's will. Alternate translation: "with complete commitment" or "completely"
Here "hearts" represents the people's wills. A person being stubborn is spoken of as if their hearts or wills were hard like a rock. Alternate translation: "They are stubborn"
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Here "mouth" represents what God says. Alternate translation: "The instructions you have spoken are" or "Your instructions are"
This can be stated more generally. Alternate translation: "than a large amount of money" or "than great wealth"
God creating a person is spoken of as if God used his hands to shape the person the way someone may shape clay into an object.
Here "hands" represents God's power or action. Alternate translation: "You"
"because I trust what you say" or "I confidently believe what you say"
God promises to reward the righteous and punish wrongdoers, so he is faithful to do what he says he will. The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "you punished me because you are faithful"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "Comfort me by showing me that you are faithful to your covenant"
The word "word" here is a metonym for the promise that Yahweh made using words. Alternate translation: "as you promised"
The writer refers to himself as "your servant." Alternate translation: "me, your servant" or "me"
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This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Put the proud to shame" or "Cause those who are proud to be ashamed"
This nominal adjective can be stated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "proud people" or "those who are proud"
People returning in friendship to the writer is spoken of as if they physically turn towards him. Alternate translation: "come to me" or "unite with me"
Possible meanings are 1) this further describes those who honor God or 2) this indicates the purpose for those who honor God to return to the writer. Alternate translation: "so that they may learn your solemn commands"
Here "heart" represents a person's thoughts and motives. Alternate translation: "May I be blameless"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I may not be ashamed"
"I confidently trust in what you say"
Here the word "eyes" represents the whole person and the word "word" is a metonym for the promise Yahweh made by speaking words. Alternate translation: "I wait and wait for you to do what you promised to do"
A wineskin is ruined when it hangs for a long time in a smoke-filled place. The writer compares himself to a wineskin that has been ruined by smoke to emphasize that he feels useless.
The writer uses a question to request God to punish those who persecute him. This rhetorical question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "Please do not make wait any longer. Punish those who persecute me."
The writer refers to himself as "your servant." Alternate translation: "must I, your servant" or "must I"
The proud are seeking to capture the writer or cause him to do wrong. This is spoken of as if they were hunters digging holes to trap the writer like an animal.
This nominal adjective can be stated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "Proud people" or "Those who are proud"
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This is a polite way of speaking about someone killing someone else. Alternate translation: "They have almost killed me"
"According to your steadfast love." The phrase "steadfast love" or "faithfulness" can be stated as an adverb. Alternate translation: "because you faithfully love me"
"what you have said will be true forever"
This speaks about what God has said as if it were an object that stands firmly upright. Alternate translation: "what you have said will be true in heaven forever"
"for all future generations." This is an idiom that means "forever."
All created things are spoken of as if they were persons who can serve God. Alternate translation: "all things serve you" or "all things obey your commands"
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This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "I will always remember"
It is implied that the writer obeys God's instructions. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: "for you have kept me alive because I obey them"
Trying hard to obey God's instructions is spoken of as if instructions were an object for which a person must search.
"I will try hard to understand"
Possible meanings are 1) "I have seen that all perfect things eventually cease," referring to the best things that people can do, or 2) "I have seen that everything has limits."
God's command always being true and perfect is spoken of as if God's command were an object that is very wide. Alternate translation: "but your command is without limits" or "but your command is eternal"
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Constantly thinking about God's commandments is spoken of as if the commandments were an object that the writer keeps with him always.
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Avoiding doing what is evil is spoken of as if it were avoiding walking on paths that are evil. Alternate translation: "I have avoided doing what is evil"
Here "feet" represents the whole person. Alternate translation: "kept myself"
"obey your word" or "observe your commands"
Continuing to obey God's righteous decrees is spoken of as if the writer has not physically turned away from the righteous decrees. This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "I always obey your righteous decrees"
The writer delighting in what God says is spoken of as if God's words were food that tasted sweet to the writer. Alternate translation: "Your words are good and delightful!"
The abstract noun "discernment" can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: "I learn to discern what is right"
Evil behavior is spoken of as if it were a false way or road.
These two phrases have similar meanings. They speak about God telling a person how to live as if the person were walking on a path and God's words were a light that helps the person see where to go. Alternate translation: "Your words tell me how to live my life"
Here "word" represents all that God communicates to people.
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"as you have promised to do"
The writer speaks of his prayer as if it were a sacrifice that he is offering to God. Alternate translation: "my prayer as a sacrifice to you"
Here "mouth" represents the whole person.
This is an idiom that means the writer's life is always in danger. Alternate translation: "My enemies are often trying to kill me"
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "I always remember your laws"
Wicked people trying to capture and kill the writer is spoken of as if they were hunters setting a trap to catch an animal.
This nominal adjective can be stated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "Wicked people"
Not disobeying God's instructions is spoken of as if the writer has not walked away from God's instructions. This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "I obey your instructions"
The writer always cherishing and obeying God's decrees is spoken of as if the decrees are land or a possession that the writer will inherit. Alternate translation: "Your laws will belong to me forever" or "Your covenant decrees are like a heritage I will keep forever"
Here "heart" represents the whole person. Alternate translation: "they make me joyful" or "I delight in them"
Here "heart" represents the writer's will. The phrase "heart is set" is an idiom. It is a way of saying the writer is determined. Alternate translation: "I am determined to obey"
Possible meanings are 1) "every one of them" 2) "to the very end of my life" or 3) "to the very end of time"
A person who is not sincere and not fully committed to obeying God is spoken of as if the person has two minds. Alternate translation: "who are not completely committed to obeying you" or "who are insincere"
God making the writer safe is spoken of as if God were a place where the writer could go and hide.
God protecting the writer is spoken of as if God were the writer's shield.
Here "wait" means to wait expectantly. This has the idea of hope and trust. Alternate translation: "I trust in your word"
Here "word" represents what God communicates to people.
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"Give me strength as you said you would" or "Enable me to be strong as you promised"
Here "my hope" represents the writer's trust in God and his promises. This can be stated as a complete sentence. Alternate translation: "Do not disappoint me" or "Do not cause me shame by not doing what you promised to do"
"Help me" or "Strengthen me"
Possible meanings are 1) "those people lie and no one can trust them" or 2) "those people make deceitful plans but they will fail"
Slag is the waste or undesired leftovers in the process of refining gold or other metals. Yahweh removes the wicked people as if they were trash.
This nominal adjective can be stated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "the wicked people"
"like trash" or "like waste"
Here "body" represents the whole person. Alternate translation: "I shake because I fear you"
It is implied that the writer is afraid of God's righteous decrees because the writer knows that God punishes those who disobey his decrees. You can make the full meaning of this statement explicit.
"do not allow people to oppress me"
The writer speaks about himself as "your servant." Alternate translation: "Guarantee my welfare" or "Help and protect me, your servant"
This nominal adjective can be stated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "those who are proud" or "proud people"
Here "eyes" represents the whole person. Alternate translation: "I grow tired because I wait and wait"
The abstract noun "salvation" can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: "for you to save me as you promised to do"
"your righteous promise"
The writer speaks about himself as "your servant." Alternate translation: "Show me" or "Show me, your servant"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be stated as an adverb or adjective. Alternate translation: "that you faithfully love me" or "that you are faithful to your covenant"
The abstract noun "understanding" can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: "enable me to understand what you want me to know"
The writer is speaking to Yahweh in the third person. This can be stated in second person. Alternate translation: "It is time for you to act, Yahweh"
This is an idiom. Here "have broken" means "disobeyed." This is a way of saying the people have disobeyed God's law.
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A person carefully obeying all of God's instructions is spoken of as if as if the instructions were leading a person and that person follows behind. Alternate translation: I carefully obey all of your instructions"
People doing what is evil is spoken of as if they are walking on the wrong path. Alternate translation: "all the bad ways some people live"
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The writer speaks of Yahweh's words as if those words were fabric that is folded, and of the person who explains Yahweh's words as if they are unfolding that fabric. Alternate translation: "The explanation of your words gives light" or "When someone explains your words, they give light"
The writer speaks of Yahweh's words giving wisdom to a person as if his words were shining a light on them. Alternate translation: "The explanation of your words gives people wisdom"
The writer speaks of his desire for Yahweh's commandments as if he were a dog panting for water. Alternate translation: "I earnestly long for your commandments"
To turn towards someone means to pay attention to that person. Alternate translation: "Pay attention to me"
Here the word "name" represents Yahweh himself. Alternate translation: "love you"
Here the word "footsteps" represents the writer as he is walking. He speaks of the way he lives, or his conduct, as if he were walking on a path. Alternate translation: "Direct me" or "Teach me how to live"
The writer speaks of wickedness as if it were a person who has authority over him. Possible meanings are 1) "do not let me habitually do wicked deeds" or 2) "do not let wicked men rule me"
The word "oppression" can be translated as a verb. Alternate translation: "Save me from people who oppress others"
The writer speaks of Yahweh acting favorably towards him as if Yahweh's face shone a light on him. Alternate translation: "Act favorably towards your servant"
The writer speaks of his many tears as if they were streams of water. Alternate translation: "Many tears"
"obey your law"
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Other possible meanings are "testimonies" or "laws." See how you translated this in Psalms 78:5.
This is an idiom. The phrase is an exaggeration for "I am extremely angry."
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I have tested your word many times"
The writer speaks of himself as if he were another person. Alternate translation: "I, your servant, love" or "I love"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "People despise me"
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The psalmist speaks of distress and anguish as if they were people. Alternate translation: "I have become distressed and anguished" or "my body and my mind are suffering"
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The psalmist speaks of his whole being as if it were only his heart. Alternate translation: "completely"
Other possible meanings are "testimonies" or "laws."See how you translated this in Psalms 78:5.
"before the sun first appears"
This is an idiom. In Hebrew culture, the night was usually divided into three "watches" or periods. Alternate translation: "I am awake all night"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "because you are faithful to your covenant"
"they have strayed from your law" or "they do not pay any attention to your laws"
"I can trust your commandments"
Other possible meanings are "testimonies" or "laws." See how you translated this in Psalms 78:5
The psalmist speaks of Yahweh's commands as if they were posts set in the ground. Alternate translation: "given them for people to obey"
The psalmist speaks of affliction as if it were an object that people could see. Alternate translation: "Look at how much I am suffering"
"Defend me against those who accuse me"
"protect my life" or "give me life"
The word "word" here is a metonym for the promise that Yahweh made using words. Alternate translation: "as you promised"
God not saving a person is spoken of as if salvation were far from the person. The abstract noun "Salvation" can be stated as "save." Alternate translation: "You will certainly not save the wicked"
Here "great" means "many." Alternate translation: "You have shown mercy to people many times" or "You have done many merciful things"
Another possible meaning is "because you do what is just."
"Those who persecute me"
This is an idiom. "I have not stopped obeying" or "I have not stopped believing"
Other possible meanings are "testimonies" or "laws." See how this is translated in Psalms 78:5.
The adjective "treacherous" can be translated as a noun phrase. Alternate translation: "treacherous people" or "those who betray me" or "my enemies"
"do not obey"
"Look at me so you can see"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "because you are faithful to your covenant"
"Your word is completely true" or "Your word can be trusted"
The psalmist speaks of the heart as if it could be amazed. The heart is a synecdoche for the whole person. Alternate translation: "I am amazed at your word"
Possible meanings are 1) things that soldiers and robbers take from those they have defeated in battle or 2) things of great value or "treasure."
These two words mean almost the same thing. Alternate translation: "hate very strongly"
Possible meanings are this is a metonym for 1) "people who lie" or 2) "the false words that people say."
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Possible meanings are 1) "nothing makes them do wrong" or 2) "nothing causes them trouble."
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"I obey your solemn commands"
Other possible meanings are "testimonies" or "laws." See how you translated this in Psalms 119:2.
"I obey your instructions"
The psalmist speaks of the ability to understand as if it were a solid object. Alternate translation: "help me understand your word"
The psalmist speaks of the words he says in prayer as if they were people who want to speak to a king. Alternate translation: "May you hear my prayer"
The word "word" here is a metonym for the promise that Yahweh made using words. Alternate translation: "as you promised"
The psalmist speaks of his lips as if they were a container and his praise a liquid that could be poured out. Here the word "lips" is a synecdoche which represents the whole person. Alternate translation: "I desire to praise you much"
The psalmist speaks of his tongue either 1) as if it were a person or 2) as a synecdoche for his whole being. Alternate translation: "me sing"
The hand is a synecdoche for the whole person. Alternate translation: "Please help me"
"have chosen to obey"
"you to rescue me"
The abstract noun "delight" can be stated as a verb. "I very much enjoy obeying your law"
The psalmist speaks of Yahweh's decrees as if they were a person who could help him. Alternate translation: "may I listen to your righteous decrees and so become wise and strong"
The psalmist compares his disobedience to Yahweh to a sheep that has wandered away from the flock. Alternate translation: "I have left your way like a sheep that has left its flock"
"because I am your servant, come and search for me"
1 In my distress I called out to Yahweh,
and he answered me.
2 Rescue my life, Yahweh,
from those who lie with their lips
and deceive with their tongues.
3 How will he punish you,
and what more will he do to you,
you who have a lying tongue?
4 He will punish you with the arrows of a warrior
sharpened over burning coals of the broom tree.
5 Woe is me because I temporarily live in Meshech;
I lived previously among the tents of Kedar.
6 For too long I have lived
with those who hate peace.
7 I am for peace,
but when I speak, they are for war.
Psalm 120 is a psalm of deliverance from liars. (See: deliverer)
The author did not want to fight, but the people he lived with wanted to fight him.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"In my trouble" or "When I was in trouble"
Here the word "life" represents the person. Alternate translation: "Rescue me"
Here the phrases "their lips" and "their tongues" represent the people who speak lies and deceit. Alternate translation: "those who lie to me and try to deceive me"
The writer asks this as a leading question to explain what God will do to liars. This question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "This is how God will punish you, and this is what he will do to you, you who have a lying tongue."
Here "a lying tongue" represents the person who speaks lies. Alternate translation: "you who tell lies"
The writer speaks of God severely punishing liars as if God were shooting them with arrows. Alternate translation: "He will punish you severely, as if he were shooting you with warrior's arrows"
This refers to how people forged the tip of the arrow in a fire. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "that he sharpened over burning coals of the broom tree"
These two places were far away from each other. The writer is likely using the names metaphorically to represent living among cruel and barbaric people. Alternate translation: "It is as if I live in Meshech or among the tents of Kedar"
This phrase represents the people of Kedar who live in those tents. Alternate translation: "the people who live in Kedar"
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"I want peace"
"they want war"
1 I will lift up my eyes to the mountains.
From where will my help come?
2 My help comes from Yahweh,
who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not allow your foot to slip;
he who protects you will not slumber.
4 See, the guardian of Israel
never slumbers or sleeps.
5 Yahweh is your guardian;
Yahweh is the shade at your right hand.
6 The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 Yahweh will protect you from all harm,
and he will protect your life.
8 Yahweh will protect you in all you do
now and forevermore.
Psalm 121 is a worship psalm.
God always watches over those who believe in him and protects them from harm. (See: believe)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
This expression means "look at" or "focus my attention on."
The writer uses this question to focus attention on the source of his help. This rhetorical question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "I will tell you from where my help comes."
This is the answer to the previous question.
There is a shift here to the second person. This may mean 1) the writer begins speaking to the people of Israel or 2) the writer is quoting another person speaking to the writer.
The slipping of a foot is associated with falling. Alternate translation: "you to fall"
Here "slumber" is a metaphor for "stop protecting." The negative form strengthens the statement. Alternate translation: "he will always protect you"
God
God
This word alerts us to pay attention to the important information that follows.
These two words mean the same thing. Here to "slumber" is a metaphor for "stop protecting." The negative form strengthens the statement. Alternate translation: "will not stop protecting you" or "will always protect you"
Here "shade" refers to protection. Alternate translation: "God is beside you to protect you from things that would hurt you"
Here this expression means to be beside or near to the writer.
The contrasting terms "day" and "night" refer to those extremes and everything in between. Alternate translation: "God protects you from the elements at all times"
It is implies that "will not harm you" is implied here. The full meaning of this statement may be made clear. Alternate translation: "nor will the moon harm you by night"
This refers to the writer. Alternate translation: "you"
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1 I was glad when they said to me,
"Let us go to the house of Yahweh."
2 Jerusalem, our feet are standing
within your gates!
3 Jerusalem, built
as a city carefully planned!
4 The tribes go up to Jerusalem—the tribes of Yah— [1]
as a testimony for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of Yahweh.
5 There thrones of judgment were set,
thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
"May those who love you be at ease.
7 May there be peace within the walls that defend you,
and may they have peace within your fortresses."
8 For the sake of my brothers and my friends
I will say, "May there be peace within you."
9 For the sake of the house of Yahweh our God,
I will seek good for you.
Psalm 122 is a psalm about Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is an important city, the center of government and religious activities; so the author prays for peace for the city.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
Possible meanings are 1) "song people sang while going up to Jerusalem for a celebration" or 2) "song people sang while going up the steps into the temple" or 3) "song whose words are like steps." See how you translated this in Psalms 120:1
The writer briefly stops speaking to his audience and speaks directly to the city of Jerusalem. Jerusalem is spoken to as if it was a person who could hear the writer.
Here "feet" refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: "we are standing"
Here "gates" refers to the city. Alternate translation: "inside you, Jerusalem"
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Here "name" refers to Yahweh himself. Alternate translation: "Yahweh"
Here "house" refers to the descendants of David. Alternate translation: "the descendants of David"
This section states the content of the prayer that the writer wants his audience to pray. He asks them to speak directly to the city of Jerusalem, as if the city were a person who could hear them.
This verse finishes the prayer that the writer wants his audience to pray. He asks them to speak directly to the city of Jerusalem, as if the city was a person who could hear them.
These two phrases have the same meanings and are used together to strengthen each other. Alternate translation: "May the people in Jerusalem live in peace"
Here Jerusalem is referred to by the fortress walls that protects it. The terms "walls" and "fortress" refer to the same thing. Alternate translation: "within Jerusalem"
In this section, the writer speaks directly to the city of Jerusalem, as if the city was a person who could hear them.
"For the well-being"
"May the people in you live in peace"
The abstract noun "good" can be stated as an action. Alternate translation: "I will pray that people treat you well"
1 To you I lift up my eyes,
you who are enthroned in the heavens.
2 See, as the eyes of servants look to their master's hand,
as the eyes of a servant girl look to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to Yahweh our God
until he has mercy on us.
3 Have mercy on us, Yahweh, have mercy on us,
for we are filled with humiliation.
4 We are more than full
of the scoffing of the insolent
and with the contempt of the proud.
Psalm 123 is a psalm asking for deliverance from the contempt of proud people. (See: deliverer)
Just as a servant trusts his master to protect him, so the author is trusting God to stop proud people from insulting him. (See: trust)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
Here the author refers to his eyes because that is the part of the body used for seeing. Alternate translation: "I look to you"
sitting on a throne and ruling as king
These three phrases have similar meanings. The third phrase, about the Israelites, is being compared to how the servants and maids look to their masters and mistresses for help. In each case "eyes" refers to the whole person.
Here "hand" refers to the provision for needs. Alternate translation: "master's provision ... provision of her mistress"
woman who has authority over servant girls
The abstract noun "mercy" can be stated as an action. Alternate translation: "act mercifully toward us"
The abstract noun "mercy" can be stated as an action. See how you translated a similar phrase in [Psalms 123:2]
Here humiliation is spoken of as if it were something that could be fill up a person. "we are very disgraced"
This idiom means that the amount is excessive, in a negative sense. Alternate translation: "We have had too much"
There two phrases have very similar meanings and are used together to emphasize how much they have been mocked by the people.
"mocking" or "insults"
This refers to the insolent people. Alternate translation: "rude and arrogant people"
This refers to the proud people. Alternate translation: "the people who are proud"
1 "If Yahweh had not been on our side,"
let Israel say now,
2 "if it had not been Yahweh who was on our side
when men rose up against us,
3 then they would have swallowed us up alive
when their anger raged against us.
4 The water would have swept us away;
the torrent would have overwhelmed us.
5 Then the raging waters would have drowned us."
6 Blessed be Yahweh,
who has not allowed us to be torn by their teeth.
7 We have escaped like a bird
out of the snare of the fowlers;
the snare has been broken,
and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of Yahweh,
who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 124 is a psalm of praise for God's delivering the Israelites from their enemy's attack. (See: deliverer)
God saved the Israelites from their enemy who wanted to completely destroy them. (See: save)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
Possible meanings are 1) "song people sang while going up to Jerusalem for a celebration" or 2) "song people sang while going up the steps into the temple" or 3) "song whose words are like steps." See how you translated this in Psalms 120:1
This is the beginning of a statement about what could have happened but did not. Yahweh really was on their side.
This is the continuation of a statement about something that did not actually happen.
This is the end of a statement that begins with the words "If Yahweh had not been on our side" in [Psalms 124:1]
This metaphor describes how the enemies could have attacked and killed the Israelites to how a fierce animal attacks a smaller animal and eats it. Alternate translation: "killed us all"
Here "their anger" refers to the enemies who were angry. Alternate translation: "they were very angry with us"
In these two verses the author compares the enemies of Israel to a flood of water.
This is another result of the situation described in [Psalms 124:1]
Here the enemies of the writer are spoken of as if they were a flood of water. Alternate translation: "Our enemies would have easily defeated us"
Here the enemies of the writer are spoken of as if they were a flood of water that would have drowned the Israelites. Alternate translation: "our enemies would have overwhelmed us"
This is another result of the situation described in [Psalms 124:1]
Here the enemies of the writer are spoken of as if they were a raging river that would have drowned the Israelites. Alternate translation: "our enemies would have destroyed us"
The enemies are spoken of as if they were wild animals that would destroy the Israelites by eating them. Alternate translation: "destroyed as if we were eaten by wild animals"
The writer describes his escape from the enemies as if he was a bird that had escaped from the snare of the hunters. Alternate translation: "escaped from our enemies as a bird escapes from the trap that hunters have set"
a small trap of string or wire made for catching small animals or birds
The plot of the enemies to catch the writer failed as if it was a snare that had broken.
The word "name" here is a metonym for the power and authority of the person or for the person himself. Alternate translation: "the power and authority of Yahweh" "Yahweh himself"
1 Those who trust in Yahweh
are like Mount Zion, unshakable, forever enduring.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so Yahweh surrounds his people
now and forever.
3 The scepter of wickedness must not rule
in the assigned portion of the righteous.
Otherwise the righteous might do what is wrong.
4 Do good, Yahweh, to those who are good
and to those who are upright in their hearts.
5 But as for those who turn aside to their crooked ways,
Yahweh will lead them away with the those who behave wickedly.
May peace be on Israel.
Psalm 125 is a psalm of praise.
God protects good people. He will not allow the evil people to rule over the good people because they might make them do evil. (See: good and evil)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
People who trust in Yahweh are spoken of as if they they were Mount Zion. Mountains are unable to be moved.
Yahweh's protection is spoken of as if he was the mountains surrounding Jerusalem. Jerusalem was surrounded by several mountains, which protected it from attack. Alternate translation: "As the hills that surround Jerusalem protect it, so Yahweh protects his people"
Here, this phrase means "always."
Here the scepter of wickedness represents the rule of wicked people. Alternate translation: "Wicked people" or "Wicked rulers"
the land that Yahweh assigned to the people of Israel
This is a request. Alternate translation: "Yahweh, please do good things" or "Yahweh, I beg you to do good things"
Here, "hearts" refers to their desires. Alternate translation: "desire to do the right"
Refusing to obey Yahweh is spoken of as turning away from a good path. Alternate translation: "leave good and go"
Here wicked ways are spoken of as if they were a path that is not straight. Alternate translation: "their wicked ways"
People are lead away in order to punish them. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: "lead them away to punish them"
1 When Yahweh reversed the captivity of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouths were filled with laughter
and our tongues with joyful shouting.
Then they said among the nations,
"Yahweh has done great things for them."
3 Yahweh did great things for us;
how glad we were!
4 Reverse our captivity, Yahweh,
like the streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow in tears
will reap with shouts of joy.
6 He who goes out weeping,
carrying seed for sowing,
will return again with shouts of joy,
bringing his bundles of grain with him.
Psalm 126 is a psalm of praise for Yahweh bringing captives home.
People may have sorrow now; but later it will turn into joy. (See: joy)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
This is an idiom that means that Yahweh restored Zion's good life. Alternate translation: "made Zion prosperous again"
This is a metonym for the people who lived in Zion. Alternate translation: "the people of Zion"
Laughing is spoken of as if their mouths were a container and their laughter was in it. It can be made clear that this laughter was a response to their joy. Alternate translation: "we laughed for joy"
The verbs "were filled" can be stated clearly. Joyful shouting is spoken of as if their tongues were containers and joyful shouting was in them. Alternate translation: "our tongues were filled with joyful shouting" or "we shouted for joy"
"the people of the nations said among themselves." The pronoun is used before introducing what it references. This is very unusual.
"How glad we were, because Yahweh did these great things for us!"
This is an idiom for a request that Yahweh restore the speakers' good life. See how you translated similar words in [Psalm 126:1]
"Those who weep as they sow"
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1 Unless Yahweh builds the house,
they work uselessly, those who build it.
Unless Yahweh guards the city,
the watchman stands guard uselessly.
2 It is useless for you to rise up early,
to come home late,
or to eat the bread of hard work,
for Yahweh provides for his beloved as they sleep.
3 See, children are a heritage from Yahweh,
and the fruit of the womb is a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
so are the children of one's youth.
5 How blessed is the man
that has his quiver full of them.
He will not be put to shame
when he confronts his enemies in the gate.
Psalm 127 is a wisdom psalm. (See: wise)
God wants his people to have rest. It is a blessing to have many children. (See: rest and bless)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
Possible meanings are 1) "song people sang while going up to Jerusalem for a celebration" or 2) "song people sang while going up the steps into the temple" or 3) "song whose words are like steps." See how you translated this in Psalms 120:1
A person who works hard often has to wake up earlier in the morning and return home late at night.
This is an idiom. Bread often represents the food a person needs every day in order to live. Alternate translation: "work hard for your daily needs"
property that a person can inherit from his ancestors. Children normally receive an inheritance from their parents. Inheritance goes from parents to children. This passage uses parents inheriting children from Yahweh as a metaphor for Yahweh being the only one who can give children.
Arrows are very important to a warrior because they protect him in battle. Children are spoken of as if they are a warrior's arrow. Alternate translation: "Having many children will help to protect you"
A quiver is a container for arrows. Having many children is spoken of as if the children were arrows in a quiver. Alternate translation: "a home full of children" or "many children"
1 Blessed is everyone who honors Yahweh,
who walks in his ways.
2 The labor of your hands you will enjoy;
you will be blessed and prosper.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
in your house;
your children will be like olive plants
as they sit around your table.
4 Yes, indeed, the man will be blessed
who honors Yahweh.
5 May Yahweh bless you from Zion;
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
6 May you live to see your children's children.
May peace be on Israel.
Psalm 128 is a wisdom psalm. (See: wise)
Those people who respect God will live well and have many children. (See: life)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
This phrase occurs in the passive voice to avoid implying that Yahweh is obligated to bless those who honor him. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Yahweh will bless everyone who honors him"
Walking here represents behaving. The phrase "his ways" represents what Yahweh wants people to do. Alternative translation: "who behaves the way Yahweh wants people to behave" or "who does what Yahweh commands"
This phrase is a metonym for the food that the labor of the hands produces. Alternate translation: "The food that you work hard to produce"
The words "be blessed" and "prosper" share similar meanings and emphasize God's favor. Alternate translation: "Yahweh will bless you and prosper you" or "Yahweh will make you blessed and prosperous"
The wife is spoke of as a vine producing a lot of fruit. This implies that children are like fruit and the wife will have many children. Alternate translation: "very productive and give you many children"
Children are compared to olive plants because of the way they grow to surround something. Children will surround the table and make it full. Alternate translation: "you will have many children who will grow and prosper"
This refers to the place where a family gathers to eat. Often, all those who eat a man's table are under his authority or control.
This can be stated as an active verb. "Yahweh will bless the man who honors him"
"throughout your lifetime"
"May Israel have peace"
1 "Often since my youth they have attacked me,"
let Israel say.
2 "Often since my youth they have attacked me,
yet they have not defeated me.
3 The plowers plowed on my back;
they made their furrows long.
4 Yahweh is righteous;
he has cut off the ropes of the wicked."
5 May they all be put to shame and turned back,
those who hate Zion.
6 May they be like the grass on the housetops
that withers before it grows up,
7 that cannot fill the reaper's hand
or the chest of the one who binds bundles of grain together.
8 May those who pass by not say,
"May the blessing of Yahweh be on you;
we bless you in the name of Yahweh."
Psalm 129 is a psalm of deliverance from Israel's many enemies. (See: deliverer)
Israel's enemies have always persecuted them but God has saved them from their enemies. He prays that this enemy will be destroyed with no one to wish them well. (See: save)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
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The cuts from a whipping are spoken of as the plow of a plowman. A farmer plowed deep lines into a field. Alternate translation: "My enemies have cut me deeply on my back"
This is a continuation of the plowing metaphor. The "furrow" is the line the farmer plowed. Alternate translation: "they made their cuts long"
Israel is spoken of as being bound by evil people. Alternate translation: "he has freed us from our enemies"
Yahweh is not explicitly mentioned as the one who does these things. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "May Yahweh shame them and defeat them"
The psalmist speaks of his enemies dying and being few in number. He compares them to the little bit of grass that grows on the roof of a house and withers and is not enough to cut or bundle. Alternate translation: "May they die and may there be few of them"
These words finish the simile that begins in
"Yahweh bless you"
1 Out of the depths I cry to you, Yahweh.
2 Lord, hear my voice;
let your ears be attentive
to my pleas for mercy.
3 If you, Yah, would mark iniquities,
Lord, who could stand? [1]
4 But there is forgiveness with you,
that you may be revered.
5 I wait for Yahweh, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope.
6 My soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
7 Israel, hope in Yahweh.
Yahweh is merciful,
and with him is great redemption.
8 It is he who will redeem Israel
from all his iniquities.
Psalm 130 is a psalm of praise that God forgives sins. (See: forgive and sin)
God forgives sin and helps the sinner. So Israel should trust in God for his forgiveness. (See: trust)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
The author's sadness is spoken of as if it were a container. His sadness comes from the bottom of the container. Sadness is often spoken of as being a container that fills from the top to the bottom. Alternate translation: "Because I am very sad, I"
The ears represent Yahweh, but because the author knows that Yahweh hears everything, he is really asking for Yahweh to respond. Alternate translation: "please listen" or "please respond"
The abstract noun "mercy" can be stated as "merciful." Alternate translation: "to my pleas and be merciful to me"
The speaker uses this question to express the futility of thinking that anyone could stand in this situation. This rhetorical question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "no one could stand."
"Stand" often represents escaping or surviving when someone attacks. In this case, it would be to escape from being being punished. Alternate translation: "no one could escape from your punishment" or "no one could survive your punishment"
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"My soul" represents the psalmist. Alternate translation: "I"
The psalmist is spoken of as if he were waiting on something with expectation. Alternate translation: "I hope" or "I trust" or "I desire for something"
The psalmist speaks of his desire for the Lord to help him as being greater than the desire that those who work all night have for the morning to come.
These are men who guard towns or fields against enemies or robbers. Here it refers to men who have to stay awake at night doing this.
The people of Israel are spoken of as if they were a man. Alternate translation: "You people of Israel, hope in Yahweh"
The abstract noun "redemption" here refers to forgiveness, and it can be translated as a verb. Alternate translation: "he is very willing to redeem" or "he is very willing to forgive"
The people of Israel are spoken of as if they were a man. Alternate translation: "who will redeem the people of Israel from all their iniquities"
1 Yahweh, my heart is not proud
or my eyes haughty.
I do not have great hopes for myself
or concern myself with things that are beyond me.
2 Indeed I have stilled and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with his mother,
my soul within me is like a weaned child.
3 Israel, hope in Yahweh
now and forever.
Psalm 131 is a wisdom psalm teaching trust in Yahweh. (See: wise and trust)
This psalm focuses on the concept of trust. A quiet trust in Yahweh is best.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
Possible meanings are 1) "song people sang while going up to Jerusalem for a celebration" or 2) "song people sang while going up the steps into the temple" or 3) "song whose words are like steps." See how you translated this in Psalms 120:1
The heart and the eyes represent the person. Alternate translation: "I am not proud or haughty"
Possible meanings are "I do not expect to do great things" or "I do not think I am great."
Things that are too hard for a person to understand are spoken of as if they are beyond the person or too far away from the person to be able to reach them. Alternate translation: "things that are too hard to understand"
The soul represents the person or his emotions. Being calm and peaceful is spoken of has having making one's soul still and quiet. Alternate translation: "I am calm and peaceful"
The soul represents the person or his emotions. Alternate translation: "I"
The psalmist speaks of himself being content and resting as if he were a young child that no longer demands breast milk from his mother. Alternate translation: "content like a young child that no longer cries for breast milk but rests in his mother's arms" or "content and resting"
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1 Yahweh, for David's sake call to mind
all his afflictions.
2 Call to mind how he swore to Yahweh,
how he vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob.
3 He said, "I will not enter the tent of my house
or get on the couch of my bed,
4 I will not give sleep to my eyes
or rest to my eyelids
5 until I find a place for Yahweh,
a tabernacle for the Mighty One of Jacob."
6 See, we heard about it in Ephrathah;
we found it in the fields of Jaar.
7 We will go into God's tabernacle;
we will worship at his footstool.
8 Arise, Yahweh, to your resting place,
you and the ark of your strength!
9 May your priests be clothed with integrity;
may your faithful ones shout for joy.
10 For your servant David's sake,
do not turn away from your anointed king.
11 Yahweh swore a sure oath to David,
a sure oath that he will not revoke:
"I will place one of your descendants on your throne.
12 If your sons keep my covenant
and the solemn commands that I will teach them,
their children also will sit on your throne forevermore."
13 Certainly Yahweh has chosen Zion,
he has desired her for his seat.
14 "This is my resting place forever.
I will live here, for I desire her.
15 I will abundantly bless her with provisions.
I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 I will clothe her priests with salvation,
her faithful ones will shout aloud for joy.
17 There I will make a horn to sprout for David
and set up a lamp for my anointed one.
18 I will clothe his enemies with shame,
but on him his crown will shine."
Psalm 132 is a royal psalm praising David. It might have been sung when David brought the ark to Jerusalem.
The Ark had been moved from one place to another several times. David wanted to make a permanent home for it. God had promised David that his son would be king after him. (See: promise)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"because of what happened to David"
"remember" or "think about"
This refers to God.
"King David said"
Possible meanings are 1) these are two ways of saying the same thing. Alternate translation: "my tent—that is, my house—or ... my couch—that is, my bed—" or "my house or ... my bed." Or 2) These are metonyms for the comfort that David enjoyed in his house and bed. Alternate translation: "the comfort of my own house or ... my comfortable bed."
Sleep and rest are spoken of as if they are things that can be given. Here eyes and eyelids represent the whole person. Alternate translation: "I will not allow my eyes to sleep or my eyelids to rest" or "I will not sleep or close my eyes and rest"
Building a place for Yahweh is spoken of as finding a place for him. Alternate translation: "until I build a place for Yahweh"
This refers to God.
The word "it" probably refers to where God's sacred chest was. The phrase "in Ephrathah" probably refers to where they were when they heard about it. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "we who were in Ephrathah heard about where the sacred chest was" or "we in Ephrathah heard that the holy box was in Jaar"
Jaar is probably another name for the city of Kiriath Jearim. This probably refers to the fields surrounding the city.
Worshiping God at the covenant box is spoken of as bowing at the feet of the king who is sitting on his throne. This communicates humility and submission to God. Alternate translation: "we will go to God's covenant box and worship him as king"
The verb "come" can be stated clearly. "Arise, Yahweh, and come to your resting place"
The place God chose for people to worship him is spoken of as if it were a place where he rests or lives eternally. Alternate translation: "the place where you stay" or "your tabernacle"
Possible meanings are 1) "come to the ark of your strength" or 2) "come, and make the ark of your strength come."
"the ark that shows your great power"
Integrity is spoken of as if it were clothing. Alternate translation: "May people recognize that your priests have integrity" or "I want people see how your priests always do what is right"
"Because of what happened to your servant David." See how you translated a similar phrase in Psalms 132:1.
Here "turning away" means to reject someone. Alternate translation: "do not abandon the king that you anointed"
Making a king's descendant become king in his place is spoken of as placing him on that king's throne. Alternate translation: "I will cause one of your descendants to rule Israel in your place"
Ruling as king is spoken of as sitting on the throne. Alternate translation: "rule as king"
Here "your sons" represents the descendants of David that would become king. Alternate translation: "your descendants"
"He", "my" and "I" refer to Yahweh and "her" refers to Zion.
The author writes as though the city of Zion were a woman.
"Yahweh has desired Zion for Yahweh's seat." Here "seat" represents either 1) his throne where he would rule, or 2) the place where he would stay.
The author writes as though the city of Zion
The place God chose for people to worship him is spoken of as if it were a place where he rests or lives eternally. Alternate translation: "the place where I stay" or "my tabernacle"
God continues to speak about the city of Zion as if Zion was a woman.
"will abundantly bless Zion"
Here "poor" refers to the poor people in Zion and "bread" probably represents food in general. Alternate translation: "will satisfy the poor people in Zion with food"
Salvation is spoken of as if it is clothing. Possible meanings are 1) "I will cause the priests to behave in a manner worthy of ones whom I have saved" or 2) "I will save her priests"
God speaks of a powerful descendant of David as if he was the powerful horn of an animal. Alternate translation: "I will make a descendant of David become king after him" or "I will cause David to have a descendant who will be a powerful king"
God speaks of causing David's descendants to continue to rule as king as if they were a lamp that would continue to shine. Alternate translation: "I will cause my anointed one's descendants to continue to rule as king"
"my chosen king" or "the king I have chosen"
Shame is spoken of as if it was clothing. This shame would result from losing in war. Alternate translation: "I will cause his enemies to be ashamed" or "I will cause his enemies to be defeated and ashamed"
The crown represents his rule, and greatness is spoken of as shining. Alternate translation: "he will be a great king" or "his greatness will shine"
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
for brothers to live together!
2 It is like fine oil on the head
pouring down on the beard—
Aaron's beard,
and then it pours down on the collar of his robes.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon
which falls on the mountains of Zion.
For there Yahweh commanded the blessing—
life forevermore.
Psalm 133 is a wisdom psalm about harmony. (See: wise)
Harmony between relatives is refreshing and brings a blessings from God. (See: bless)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
Possible meanings are 1) "song people sang while going up to Jerusalem for a celebration" or 2) "song people sang while going up the steps into the temple" or 3) "song whose words are like steps." See how you translated this in Psalms 120:1
This word is used to stress the importance of the statement that follows.
The relationships among fellow God's people is spoken of as if they were brothers. Alternate translation: "for God's people to live together peacefully as brothers"
The goodness of unity among God's people is spoken of as if it were like the fine oil that was poured on Aaron's head. Alternate translation: "This unity is precious like the oil that was poured on Aaron's head"
The goodness of unity among God's people is spoken of as it if it were refreshing like dew. Alternate translation: "refreshing like the dew of Hermon"
This is a mountain in Israel that has snow on its peak year-round.
1 Come, bless Yahweh, all you servants of Yahweh,
you who serve during the night in the house of Yahweh.
2 Lift up your hands to the holy place
and bless Yahweh.
3 May Yahweh bless you from Zion,
he who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 134 is a temple psalm. (See: temple)
The watchmen who work at night should praise God. Then he will bless them. (See: bless)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"all you who serve Yahweh"
This is how people prayed or praised God.
Possible meanings are 1) "to the temple" or 2) "to the holy place in the temple."
The phrase "heaven and earth" here represents all things. Alternate translation: "everything in heaven and earth"
1 Give praise to Yah! [1]
Praise the name of Yahweh.
Praise him, you servants of Yahweh,
2 you who stand in the house of Yahweh,
in the courtyards of the house of our God.
3 Give praise to Yah, for he is good; [2]
sing praises to his name, for it is pleasant to do so.
4 For Yah has chosen Jacob for himself, [3]
Israel as his own possession.
5 I know that Yahweh is great,
that our Lord is above all gods.
6 Whatever Yahweh desires, he does
in heaven, on earth,
in the seas and all the ocean depths.
7 He brings the clouds from far away,
making lightning bolts accompany the rain
and bringing the wind out of his storehouse.
8 He killed the firstborn of Egypt,
both of man and animals.
9 He sent signs and wonders into your midst, Egypt,
against Pharaoh and all his servants.
10 He attacked many nations
and killed mighty kings,
11 Sihon king of the Amorites
and Og king of Bashan
and all the kingdoms of Canaan.
12 He gave us their land as an inheritance,
an inheritance to Israel his people.
13 Your name, Yahweh, endures forever;
your renown, Yahweh, endures throughout all generations.
14 For Yahweh defends his people
and has compassion on his servants.
15 The nations' idols are silver and gold,
the work of men's hands.
16 Those idols have mouths, but they do not speak;
they have eyes, but they do not see;
17 they have ears, but they do not give ear,
nor is there breath in their mouths.
18 Those who make them are like them,
as is everyone who trusts in them.
19 Descendants of Israel, bless Yahweh;
descendants of Aaron, bless Yahweh.
20 Descendants of Levi, bless Yahweh;
you who honor Yahweh, bless Yahweh.
21 Blessed be Yahweh in Zion,
he who lives in Jerusalem.
Give praise to Yah. [4]
Psalm 135 is a worship psalm focusing on worshiping God because his greatness.
The people, priests and their helpers should praise God because he is so great. He defeated the Egyptians and led his people to the promise land. Idols have no power. (See: priest and promisedland)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
Yahweh's name represents him. "Praise Yahweh" or "Praise him"
This represents serving Yahweh in his temple.
These words refer to Yahweh (Psalms 135:1).
"because we get pleasure from praising his name"
"Jacob" here refers to his descendants, the people of Israel. Alternate translation: "Yah has chosen Jacob's descendants"
The beginning of the sentence can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "he has chosen Israel to be his own possession"
"I know that our Lord is above all gods." Being greater than something is spoken of as being above it. Alternate translation: "that our Lord is greater than all gods"
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A storehouse is a place where things are kept for future use. This imagery shows God's power to control the wind. Alternate translation: "causing the wind to blow by his power"
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These two words mean basically the same thing and refer to the miraculous troubles that God had caused in Egypt.
The psalmist speaks as if the people of Egypt were listening to him. Alternate translation: "among you people of Egypt" or "among the people of Egypt"
"to punish Pharaoh"
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These are the names of two men.
God's gift of the land to the Israelites is spoken of as if it were inheritance from father to son. Alternate translation: "He gave us their land to have forever" or "He gave us their land to be ours forever"
His name here represents his fame or reputation. Alternate translation: "Your fame" or "Your reputation"
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Being ignorant and powerless is spoken of as being like idols, which cannot speak, see, hear, or breathe. Alternate translation: "Those who make them are stupid and powerless like their idols"
"and so are those who trust in the idols"
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God is spoken of as if he lived in Jerusalem because the temple where the Israelites worshiped him was there. Alternate translation: "he whose temple is in Jerusalem"
1 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good.
(His covenant faithfulness endures forever.)
2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
(His covenant faithfulness endures forever.)
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords;
(His covenant faithfulness endures forever.)
4 to him who alone does great wonders;
(His covenant faithfulness endures forever.)
5 to him who by wisdom made the heavens;
(His covenant faithfulness endures forever.)
6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters;
(His covenant faithfulness endures forever.)
7 to him who made great lights;
(His covenant faithfulness endures forever.)
8 to him who gave the sun to rule by day,
(His covenant faithfulness endures forever.)
9 the moon and stars to rule by night;
(His covenant faithfulness endures forever.)
10 to him who killed the firstborn of Egypt
(His covenant faithfulness endures forever.)
11 and brought out Israel from among them
(His covenant faithfulness endures forever.)
12 with a strong hand and a raised arm;
(His covenant faithfulness endures forever.)
13 to him who divided the Sea of Reeds
(His covenant faithfulness endures forever.)
14 and made Israel to pass through the middle of it,
(His covenant faithfulness endures forever.)
15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Sea of Reeds;
(His covenant faithfulness endures forever.)
16 to him who led his people through the wilderness;
(His covenant faithfulness endures forever.)
17 to him who killed great kings;
(His covenant faithfulness endures forever.)
18 to him who killed majestic kings,
(His covenant faithfulness endures forever.)
19 Sihon king of the Amorites
(His covenant faithfulness endures forever.)
20 and Og king of Bashan;
(His covenant faithfulness endures forever.)
21 to him who gave their land as an inheritance,
(His covenant faithfulness endures forever.)
22 an inheritance to Israel his servant;
(His covenant faithfulness endures forever.)
23 to him who called us to mind and helped us in our humiliation;
(His covenant faithfulness endures forever.)
24 to him who has rescued us from our enemies,
(His covenant faithfulness endures forever.)
25 who gives food to all living beings.
(His covenant faithfulness endures forever.)
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.
(His covenant faithfulness endures forever.)
Psalm 136 is a worship psalm. It was written to be sung by two parts of the choir. One part would sing the first part of each of the lines and then the other part of the choir would sing the repeated refrain.
God has blessed Israel throughout its history and taken care of the needy people. (See: bless)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "He remains faithful to his covenant forever"
the God who is greater than the gods that other people worship
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That is, because he is wise.
The ancient Israelites thought that the earth's dry land was on top of the sea. Alternate translation: "placed the earth over the waters"
This is a reference to the sources of light for the earth, especially the sun and the moon. Alternate translation: "the sun and the moon and the stars"
The sun is spoken of as if it were a king. Alternate translation: "to mark the time of day"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. See how you translated this in [Psalms 136:1]
The moon, and stars are spoken of as if they were kings. Alternate translation: "to mark the time of night"
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"from among the people of Egypt"
Here "hand" and "arm" represent power. Alternate translation: "with great power"
The soldiers of Pharaoh drowned in the Sea of Reeds.
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Here defeat is spoken of as if it were tipping someone over. Alternate translation: "defeated Pharaoh" or "defeated the king of Egypt"
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a man's name
a man's name
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"thought about us"
The condition of feeling shame is spoken of as if it were a place that the Israelites had been in. This is a reference to the many times when the Israelites' enemies had defeated them in battle and shamed them. Alternate translation: "cared when we were shamed"
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"the God who lives in heaven" or "the God whom the heavenly beings worship"
1 By the rivers of Babylon
we sat down and wept
when we thought about Zion.
2 There on the poplars in the midst of it
we hung our harps.
3 There our captors required songs from us,
and those who mocked us required joy from us, saying,
"Sing us one of the songs of Zion."
4 How could we sing a song about Yahweh
in a foreign land?
5 If I ignore the memory of you, Jerusalem,
let my right hand forget her skill.
6 Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth
if I think about you no more,
if I do not prefer Jerusalem
more than my greatest delights.
7 Call to mind, Yahweh, what the Edomites did
on the day Jerusalem fell.
They said, "Tear it down, tear it down
to its foundations."
8 Daughter of Babylon, soon to be destroyed—
may the person be blessed, whoever pays you back
for what you have done to us.
9 May the person be blessed,
whoever takes and dashes your little ones against a rock.
Psalm 137 is a psalm of mourning and vengeance. (See: avenge)
The captives are told to sing songs of Zion there in Babylon but they felt too unhappy to want to sing. The army from Babylon was cruel when it destroyed Jerusalem and the people of Edom encouraged them to destroy Jerusalem. They prayed that God will be cruel to the people of Edom and Babylon.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
"Next to one of the rivers near Babylon"
The writer does not include the readers.
The writer does not include the readers.
Poplar trees do not grow in Israel. "Poplars" may here stand for all the trees in Babylon. Alternate translation: "On the trees in Babylon"
"our captors required us to sing"
"made us pretend to be happy"
This probably refers to songs that the Israelites had used in worship at the temple in Jerusalem.
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The writer speaks as if Jerusalem is listening to him. Alternate translation: "If I act as if I did not remember you, Jerusalem" or "If I try to forget you, Jerusalem"
the hand most people use most often
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"Remember" or "Think about"
Here remembering what the Edomites did represents punishing them for what they did. Alternate translation: "Punish the Edomites, Yahweh, for what they did"
Jerusalem being captured by an enemy army is spoken of as if it had fallen. Who captured Jerusalem can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "the day Jerusalem was captured" or "the day the Babylonian army entered Jerusalem"
The psalmist addresses the people of Babylon as if they were there listening to him.
This represents the city of Babylon and its people.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "may God bless the person"
The writer speaks of someone doing to others what they have done as if were payment. Alternate translation: "does to you what you did to us"
"smashes your babies' heads against rocks"
1 I will give you thanks with my whole heart;
before the gods I will sing praises to you.
2 I will bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name
for your covenant faithfulness and for your trustworthiness.
You have made your word and your name
more important than anything else.
3 On the day that I called you, you answered me;
you made me bold and strengthened my soul.
4 All the kings of the earth will give you thanks, Yahweh,
for they will hear the words from your mouth.
5 Indeed, they will sing of the deeds of Yahweh,
for great is the glory of Yahweh.
6 For though Yahweh is high, yet he cares for the lowly,
but the proud he knows from far off.
7 Though I walk in the middle of trouble,
you will preserve my life;
you will reach out with your hand against the anger of my enemies,
and your right hand will save me.
8 Yahweh is with me to the end;
your covenant faithfulness, Yahweh, endures forever.
Do not abandon the works of your hands.
Psalm is a psalm of praise.
God answers prayers and he protects the psalmist from his enemies.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
The heart here represents the emotions. Doing something sincerely or completely is spoken of as doing it with all one's heart. Alternate translation: "I will sincerely thank you"
Possible meanings are 1) "in spite of the false idols that exist" or 2) "before the heavenly assembly," which means "in the knowledge of the angels in heaven."
Bowing down is a symbolic action that represents worship and giving honor. Alternate translation: "I will worship you"
Here the word "name" represents Yahweh himself. Alternate translation: "give thanks to you"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. The abstract noun "trustworthiness" can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: "because you are faithful to your covenant and you are worthy of people trusting you"
"what you have said" or "your commands and promises"
Possible meanings are 1) "yourself" or 2) "your fame."
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This expression stands for God himself. Alternate translation: "you"
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Yahweh is above all creation in power, position, and authority. Yet his interest is in those who are humble in spirit, servants to all. This is a simple contrast.
This expression probably means that God is not faithful to those who are proud.
live, exist
Being in danger is spoken of as being in a physical place.
God is spoken of as if he will strike the enemies with his hand.
The abstract noun "anger" can be stated as "angry." Alternate translation: "my enemies, who are angry"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "you, Yahweh, remain faithful to your covenant forever"
This expression probably refers to the people of Israel. God is spoken of as if he had physically used hands to create them. Alternate translation: "the people you have created"
1 Yahweh, you have examined me,
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit down and when I get up;
you understand my thoughts from far away.
3 You observe my path and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 For before there is a word on my tongue,
you know it completely, Yahweh.
5 Behind me and before me you surround me
and place your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is incomprehensible to me;
it is too high, and I cannot reach it.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, you are there.
9 If I fly away on the wings of the dawn
and go to live in the uttermost parts across the sea,
10 even there your hand will lead me,
your right hand will hold on to me.
11 If I said, "Surely the darkness will cover me,
and the light will become night around me,"
12 even the darkness would not be dark to you.
The night would shine like the day,
for the darkness and the light are both alike to you.
13 You formed my inner parts;
you formed me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise you
because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Your works are wonderful.
My soul knows this very well.
15 My bones were not hidden from you
when I was made in private,
when I was intricately made in the depths of the earth.
16 You saw me inside the womb;
all the days assigned to me were recorded
in your book even before the first one happened.
17 How precious are your thoughts to me, God!
How vast is their sum!
18 If I tried to count them,
they would be more in number than the sand.
When I awake, I am still with you.
19 If only you would kill the wicked, God;
get away from me, you men of bloodshed.
20 They rebel against you and act deceitfully;
your enemies tell lies.
21 Do I not hate those, Yahweh, who hate you?
Do I not despise those who rise up against you?
22 I hate them completely;
they have become my enemies.
23 Examine me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.
24 See if there is any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the everlasting way.
Psalm 139 is a psalm of praise.
God created the psalmist in his mother's womb and has taken care of him all of his life. No matter where he goes, God is always with him.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"This is for the director of music to use in worship."
"have tested"
The psalmist uses these two actions to represent everything he does. Alternate translation: "everything I do" or "everything about me"
Here "path" stands for one's behavior. "My path and my lying down" together represent everything about the psalmist.
Here "word on the tongue" represents speech. Alternate translation: "before I say anything"
This expression refers to God's presence everywhere.
This expression refers to guidance and help. Alternate translation: "you guide and help me"
"too much for me to understand"
Being high and out of reach is an expression, in this case, about some knowledge that human beings cannot have. Alternate translation: "it is too difficult to understand"
These two questions are in parallel. The psalmist says that he cannot go away from God's presence. Alternate translation: "I cannot escape from your Spirit."
"Making one's bed" refers to staying somewhere. Alternate translation: "even if I stay in Sheol"
The author uses exaggeration to explain that wherever he is, God is there too.
In the ancient near east, the sun was often imagined as if it had wings which enabled it to fly across the sky. Alternate translation: "If the sun could carry me with itself across the sky"
"very far away to the west"
"will help me"
The psalmist speaks of the night as if it were a blanket that could conceal him.
The night, which is dark, is spoken of as if it were bright with light.
"Inner parts" refers to the interior organs of a person, but here the expression probably stands for the entire body. Alternate translation: "You made my entire body
Here "soul" probably refers to the psalmist's innermost ability to be certain about God's love and guidance. The translator may, however, treat "soul" here as metonymy for the psalmist's mind and heart. Alternate translation: "I know this with all my heart"
"made with great complexity"
This is probably a way of speaking about a mother's womb
This expression implies that ancient Israelites imagined that God wrote down his plans in a book.
"I consider your thoughts very important" or "Your thoughts are very valuable to me"
"Your thoughts are so many."
This hyperbole means that the writer would be unable to count God's thoughts. Alternate translation: "there would be more than I could count"
The psalmist is only pretending to speak directly to the violent men whom he has in mind. Translators may decide to express this command as a wish.
"They rebel against your authority, God"
"your enemies lie about you"
These two sentences have similar meanings. The second one strengthens the thought in the first. Both of these questions actually make statements. Alternate translation: "Yahweh, I hate those who hate you! I despise those who rise up against you!"
rebel against
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This is a request for God to tell the psalmist about any sinful thoughts that he may have. Alternate translation: "Please search me" or "I beg you to search me"
These two sentences have similar meanings. The second one strengthens the thought in the first.
Here "way" stands for behavior.
Here "way" refers to trust and obedience in God. Anyone who "walks" this way will have everlasting life.
1 Yahweh, rescue me from the wicked;
preserve me from violent men.
2 They plan evil in their hearts;
they cause battles every day.
3 Their tongues wound like serpents;
vipers' poison is on their lips. Selah
4 Keep me from the hands of the wicked, Yahweh;
preserve me from violent men
who plan to push down my steps.
5 The proud have set a trap for me;
they have spread a net;
they have set a snare for me. Selah
6 I said to Yahweh, "You are my God;
give ear to the sound of my pleas."
7 Yahweh, my Lord, you are powerfully able to save me;
you shield my head in the day of battle.
8 Yahweh, do not grant the desires of the wicked;
do not let their evil plans succeed. Selah
9 Those who surround me raise their heads;
let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
10 Let burning coals fall on them;
throw them into the fire,
into bottomless pits, never more to rise.
11 May men of tongues not be made secure on the earth;
may evil hunt down the violent man to strike him dead.
12 I know that Yahweh will judge in favor of the afflicted,
and that he will give justice to the needy.
13 Surely the righteous people will give thanks to your name;
the upright people will live in your presence.
Psalm 140 is a deliverance psalm. (See: deliverer)
He prayed that God would save him from his enemies who are lying about him. (See: save)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
This is for the director of music to use in worship."
Here "battles" probably refers to conflict of any kind, including quarrels.
People who cause conflict by what they say are spoken of as if they had tongues of serpents. Of course, snakes do not do damage with their tongues, but with their bites and especially with poison. Neither can a person make his tongue sharp. Instead, here the idea of a sharp tongue stands for speaking in a way to cause trouble. And the idea the snakes have sharp tongues stands for the fact that many of them have poison.
That is, the power of the wicked
Possible meanings are 1) "cause my feet to trip so I fall over" or 2) "cause me to fall."
The exact kinds of traps are less important than the idea that wicked and proud people are planning to make trouble for the psalmist. If your readers do not know much about different ways of trapping, you may need to reduce this to one line. Alternate translation: "have set a trap to catch me"
This is a call for help. Alternate translation: "listen to me as I call to you now for help"
A person's head is in great danger during battle. Protecting the person's head represents protecting the whole person. Alternate translation: "you protect me when I go to war"
Here "battle" probably stands for any kind of severe trouble
"please do not allow the wicked to have what they desire"
The adjective "wicked" can be translated as a noun phrase. Alternate translation: "wicked people"
This is a sign of being arrogant. Alternate translation: "are arrogant"
This is a prayer that God would make the evildoers suffer from the trouble that they caused by the things they said.
The trouble that they themselves caused by what they said.
That is, stop them from causing any more trouble.
Images of fire stand for severe punishment for the wicked.
This is probably a reference to Sheol, the world of the dead.
those who speak evil of others without cause
"safe in this life"
Here evil is spoken of as if it were someone taking revenge on another person.
The abstract noun "justice" can be stated as "just." Alternate translation: "He will act in a just manner to help the needy"
This represents Yahweh. Alternate translation: "to you"
1 Yahweh, I am crying out to you; come quickly to me.
Give ear to my voice when I call to you.
2 May my prayer be like incense before you;
may my lifted hands be like the evening sacrifice.
3 Yahweh, place a guard over my mouth;
guard the door of my lips.
4 Do not let my heart desire any evil thing
or participate in wicked deeds
with men who behave wickedly.
May I not eat any of their delicacies.
5 Let a righteous man hit me; it will be a kindness to me.
Let him correct me; it will be like oil on my head;
may my head not refuse to accept it.
But my prayer is always against their wicked deeds.
6 Their judges will be thrown down from the top of cliffs;
they will hear that my own words are pleasant.
7 They will have to say, "As when one plows and breaks up the ground,
so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of Sheol."
8 Surely my eyes are on you, Yahweh, Lord;
in you I take refuge; do not leave my soul defenseless.
9 Protect me from the snares that they have laid for me,
from the traps of those who behave wickedly.
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets
while I escape.
Psalm 141 is a psalm of deliverance from his enemies and from sin. (See: deliverer)
The author prayed that God would keep him from sinning. He is glad to be corrected by good people. He asked God to show that he is right by destroying the evil leaders of the people. (See: sin, good and righteous and evil)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"asking you for help"
The psalmist speaks as if Yahweh were a person who needed to come from another place to help him. What the psalmist wanted Yahweh to do can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "come quickly to help me"
"Please hear me when I call" or "I beg you to hear me when I call"
The psalmist asks Yahweh to accept and be pleased with his prayer the way he would accept and be pleased with incense. Alternate translation: "May the my prayer please you the way the sweet smell of incense pleases people"
The psalmist wants Yahweh to be pleased with him because he is praying and because of the words of his prayer.
"the hands that I have lifted up." Lifted hands are a metonym for prayer. People lifted their hands when they prayed or praised Yahweh. See how you translated "lift up your hands" in Psalms 134:2.
The means to be like the animal that was burned on the altar in the evening. The psalmist speaks as if he wants Yahweh to be as pleased with him as he is with those who bring animals to sacrifice. He wants Yahweh to be pleased because the psalmist is praying or because of the words of his prayer.
The psalmist speaks as if evil words were prisoners trying to escape from his mouth. Alternate translation: "please help me not to say things that are evil"
"tell someone to guard"
The psalmist speaks as if evil words were prisoners trying to escape from his mouth. Alternate translation: "please help me not to say things when I should not"
"do evil things"
"their special foods"
The psalmist speaks as if giving a rebuke were physically hitting someone. Alternate translation: "rebuke me" or "hit me so I will listen when he corrects me"
The abstract noun "kindness" can be translated with an adverb. Alternate translation: "he will be acting kindly to me"
Possible meanings are that the psalmist speaks as if a person correcting him were putting oil on his head 1) to honor him. Alternate translation: "when he corrects me, I will know that the one who corrects me is doing a good deed to me" or 2) to make his head feel better.
The head is a synecdoche for the person. The litotes can be translated as a positive statement. Alternate translation: "may I accept it gladly"
The words "wicked deeds" are a metonym for the people who do the wicked deeds. Alternate translation: "I always pray that Yahweh will stop wicked people from doing evil deeds"
Possible meanings are 1) "Someone will throw their judges down" or 2) "Their judges will throw them down."
political leaders
ground that goes straight down a long way
Possible meanings are 1) "people have thrown our bones around in different directions" or 2) as a result of the fall from the cliffs (141:6) "our bodies are broken and our bones lie in disorder."
The eyes are a synecdoche for the whole person. Alternate translation: "I am looking to see what you will do" or "I expect you to help me"
"I am asking you to protect me" See how "take refuge" is translated in [Psalms 118:9]
The soul is a metonym for the whole person. Alternate translation: "me"
The psalmist speaks of deceiving a good man so the good man will sin or so that the evil people can defeat him as if it were laying a trap for an animal. The word "snares" is a metonym for the people themselves. Alternate translation: "people who are looking for ways to harm me"
Bible experts disagree on the exact meanings of these words. It would be best either to translate one of them with the word for a net or cage that contains the prey and the other as a rope or vine that catches the prey by the leg or neck or to translate both with the general word for "traps." See how these words are translated in Psalms 140:5.
The verb may be supplied from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: "and protect me from the traps that those who do evil have set"
The psalmist speaks of evil people deceiving good people as if hunters were trapping animals. Alternate translation: "Let the wicked fall into the net traps they have made to trap other people" or "Let the bad things the wicked planned for the righteous happen to the wicked instead"
1 With my voice I cry out for help to Yahweh;
with my voice I plead for Yahweh's favor.
2 I pour out my lament before him;
I tell him my troubles.
3 When my spirit is weak within me,
you know my path.
In the way that I walk
they have hidden a trap for me.
4 I look to my right and see
that there is no one who cares about me.
There is no escape for me;
no one cares about my life.
5 I called out to you, Yahweh;
I said, "You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living.
6 Listen to my cry,
for I have been brought very low;
rescue me from my persecutors,
for they are stronger than I.
7 Bring my soul out of prison
so that I may give thanks to your name.
The righteous will gather around me
because you have been good to me."
Psalm 142 is a psalm of deliverance from his enemies. (See: deliverer)
The psalmist is alone, and has many enemies surrounding him. Despite this, Yahweh will help him. Then, good people will join the author. (See: good)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
This may refer to a style of music. See how you translated this in Psalms 32:1.
open place under the earth large enough for people to walk around in
If these two lines are so much the same that the reader will get the wrong meaning, you can translate them as one line.
"using my voice" -
If these two lines are so much the same that the reader will get the wrong meaning, you can translate them as one line.
The psalmist speaks of telling Yahweh why he is sad as if he were pouring all of a liquid out of a container. Alternate translation: "I tell him all about why I am sad"
"tell him about everything that makes me worry"
"I am weak" or "I am extremely discouraged"
"you know the path I should take." The psalmist speaks as if what a person does were a path that that person walked along. Alternate translation: "you know the way I should live"
The psalmist speaks of people wanting to harm him as if they were trying to trap an animal. Alternate translation: "They are making plans so that whatever I do they can harm me"
This is a metonym for "me."
This is a call for help. Alternate translation: "called to you now for help"
Possible meanings are 1) "all I want" or 2) "all I need" or 3) "all I have."
This idiom refers to a person being alive, as opposed to a person who is dead and in the place of the dead. Alternate translation: "while I am living"
This is a call for help. See how you translated this in [Psalms 5:1]
Possible meanings are 1) "I am very needy" and 2) "I am very weak." See how "we are very low" is translated in Psalms 78:8.
This is a request. The "soul" represents the whole person. Alternate translation: "bring me out of prison"
The word "name" is a metonym for the person. See how you translated this in [Psalms 5:11]
1 Hear my prayer, Yahweh;
give ear to my pleas.
Because of your faithfulness and righteousness,
answer me!
2 Do not enter into judgment with your servant,
for in your sight no one is righteous.
3 The enemy has pursued my soul;
he has crushed me to the ground;
he has made me to live in darkness
like those who have been dead a long time.
4 My spirit is overwhelmed within me;
my heart is appalled.
5 I call to mind the old days;
I meditate on all your deeds;
I reflect on your accomplishments.
6 I spread my hands out to you;
my soul thirsts for you in a parched land. Selah
7 Answer me quickly, Yahweh,
because my spirit faints.
Do not hide your face from me,
or I will become like those who go down into the pit.
8 Let me hear your covenant faithfulness in the morning,
for I trust in you.
Show me the way where I should walk,
for I lift up my soul to you.
9 Rescue me from my enemies, Yahweh;
I flee to you to hide.
10 Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God.
May your good Spirit
lead me in the land of uprightness.
11 Yahweh, for your name's sake, keep me alive;
in your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.
12 In your covenant faithfulness cut off my enemies
and destroy all the enemies of my life,
for I am your servant.
Psalm 143 is a deliverance psalm. The author prays for deliverance from his enemies. (See: deliverer)
The author prayed for help from Yahweh against his enemies because he is God's servant.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
The words "my prayer" are a metonym for the person who is praying. See how these words are translated in [Psalms 39:12]
To "enter into judgment" is an idiom that means to pronounce judgment. Alternate translation: "Please do not judge" or "I beg you not to judge"
The psalmist speaks of himself as if he were speaking of another person. Alternate translation: "me"
Here sight represents judgment or evaluation. Alternate translation: "in your judgment no one is righteous"
Here the word "soul" represents the person. Alternate translation: "pursued me"
Defeating an enemy is spoken of as a heavy object crushing a lighter object on the ground. Alternate translation: "has completely defeated me"
"I am weak" or "I am extremely discouraged"
"I no longer have any hope"
"think about"
"all that you have accomplished" or "all the great things you have done"
What one does with one's body here is a metonym for the purpose of doing so. The Israelites would commonly pray while standing with their hands raised and spread out at their sides. Alternate translation: "pray to you with my hands lifted up at my sides"
The psalmist speaks of wanting to be with God as if he were in a parched land and he also was about to die of thirst. Alternate translation: "I want to be with you the way a person in a parched land who is very thirsty wants water"
The psalmist desires to know Yahweh. The intensity of his desire to know Yahweh is like one who is very thirsty. Alternate translation: "I long for you"
The soul is a metonym for the person.
A land where everything has died because there is no water.
Here the "spirit" refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: "I am weak" or "I am very discouraged"
This is a request. "I beg you not to hide from me" or "Please, do not hide from me"
The psalmist speaks of Yahweh refusing to do what the psalmist asks as if Yahweh were refusing to even look at the psalmist. This litotes can be stated as a positive. Alternate translation: "Do not refuse to listen to me" or "Please listen to me"
Here the word "pit" refers to the place of the dead. This phrase is a euphemism for death. Alternate translation: "I will become just another dead person"
"Cause me to hear of your covenant faithfulness" or "Tell me of your covenant faithfulness." The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "Let me hear of how you are faithful to your covenant"
Possible meanings are 1) "in the morning," at the time many people thought was the best time to pray, or 2) "morning by morning," every day.
"Tell me"
The psalmist speaks of the way people live as if it were a path on which they walk. Alternate translation: "how you want me to live"
Possible meanings are 1) "I pray to you" or 2) "I believe that you will guide and protect me."
Possible meanings are 1) "I flee to you so I can hide" and 2) "I flee to you so you will hide and protect me."
"to do what you want me to do"
Possible meanings are 1) "help me to live righteously" or 2) "may my life be free of trouble"
Possible meanings are 1) this is a metaphor for righteous living or 2) "a level land," a metaphor for life free of trouble.
Yahweh's name represents his reputation and character. Alternate translation: "because of who you are"
"the enemies who want to take my life"
"Show your covenant faithfulness by cutting off my enemies." The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: "Because you are faithful to your covenant, cut off my enemies"
"the enemies of my soul." My "life" may be understood as representing the speaker. Alternate translation: "my enemies"
1 Blessed be Yahweh, my rock,
who trains my hands for war
and my fingers for battle.
2 You are my covenant faithfulness and my fortress,
my high tower and the one who rescues me,
my shield and the one in whom I take refuge,
the one who subdues nations under me.
3 Yahweh, what is man that you take notice of him
or the son of man that you think about him?
4 Man is like a breath;
his days are like a passing shadow.
5 Cause the sky to sink and come down, Yahweh;
touch the mountains and make them smoke.
6 Send flashes of lightning and scatter my enemies;
shoot your arrows and drive them back in confusion.
7 Reach out your hand from above;
rescue me out of many waters,
from the hand of foreigners.
8 Their mouths speak lies,
and their right hand is falsehood.
9 I will sing a new song to you, God;
on a lute of ten strings I will sing praises to you,
10 who gives salvation to kings,
who rescues David your servant from an evil sword.
11 Rescue me and free me
from the hand of foreigners.
Their mouths speak lies,
and their right hand is falsehood.
12 May our sons be like plants
who grow to full size in their youth
and our daughters like carved corner pillars,
shapely like those of a palace.
13 May our storehouses be full
with every kind of produce,
and may our sheep produce thousands
and ten thousands in our fields.
14 Then our oxen will have many young.
No one will break through our walls; there will be no exile
and no outcry in our streets.
15 Blessed is the people with such blessings;
happy is the people whose God is Yahweh.
Psalm 144 is a worship psalm. It is the first worship psalm in a series consisting of the final seven psalms (Psalms 144-150).
Psalm 144 is a prayer for safety and prosperity for the nation of Israel.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
Possible meanings are 1) "the one who keeps me safe" or 2) "the one who gives me strength"
The words "hands" and "fingers" are synecdoches for "me." If "war" and "battle" are the same word in your language, you can translate this as one line. Alternate translation: "who trains me for war and trains me for battle" or "who trains me for war"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with anadverb. Possible meanings are 1) "the one who faithfully loves me" or 2) "the one who faithfully protects me."
The psalmist uses many metaphors to emphasize that Yahweh will protect him.
David speaks of Yahweh as if he were a fortress that protects him from attack. Yahweh is the one who protects David from harm.
David speaks of Yahweh as if he were a shield that protects a soldier. Yahweh is the one who protects David from harm. See how this is translated in Psalms 18:2.
Going to Yahweh for protection is spoken of as taking refuge in him. Alternate translation: "the one to whom I go so he will protect me"
"the one who enables me to defeat other nations"
These questions can be translated as statements. Alternate translation: "Man is so small compared to everything else you have made that I am surprised that you take notice of man and that you think about the son of man"
two words for human beings.
The writer compares humans to these thing to emphasize how short their lives are.
These words should probably be translated as requests, not commands, since the psalmist knows that God is greater than he is.
Possible meanings are 1) tear the sky open or 2) bend the heavens like a tree branch bends when someone walks on it or as one bends a bow before shooting arrows.
These should probably be translated as requests, not commands, since the psalmist knows that God is greater than he is.
"so they do not know what to think or what to do"
David speaks as if God were on land above a flood and had physical hands with which he could pull David out of a flood. The flood is a metaphor for the troubles caused by the "foreigners." Alternate translation: "You who are able to act, help me overcome my troubles"
Here "hand" refers to power. Alternate translation: "from the power of foreigners"
Here the word "mouths" represent the people who speak. Alternate translation: "They speak lies"
Possible meanings are 1) David speaks of the custom of raising the right hand to swear that what one is about to say in court is true, "they lie even when they swear to tell the truth," or 2) the "right hand" is a metaphor for power, "everything they have gotten, they have gotten by telling lies."
Possible meanings are 1) "a song no one has ever sung before" or 2) "a song I have never sung before."
You may end a sentence at the end of Psalms 144:9 and start a new sentence here. "you. It is you who gives ... kings. It is you who rescues"
David speaks of himself as if he were someone else. "me, David, your servant"
David speaks of evil people as if they were the swords they use as weapons. Alternate translation: "from evil people who were trying to kill him"
"Please rescue me and free me"
Here "hand" refers to power. See how you translated these words in [Psalms 144:7]
The people are represented by their "mouths." See how you translated these words in [Psalms 144:8]
Possible meanings are 1) David speaks of the custom of raising the right hand to swear that what one is about to say in court is true, "they lie even when they swear to tell the truth," or 2) the "right hand" is a metaphor for power, "everything they have gotten, they have gotten by telling lies."See how you translated these words [Psalms 144:8]
healthy and strong
the time when people develop
"may our daughters be like carved corner pillars"
"beautiful posts that hold up the corners of a large house"
"pillars that are carved to make a palace beautiful"
"thousands—even tens of thousands!—and fill up our fields"
"No one will be able to invade our city"
Here the outcry is associated with a severe problem that causes the person to cry out. Alternate translation: "no one crying in pain" or "no one crying for help" or "no one calling out for justice"
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1 I will extol you, my God, King;
I will bless your name forever and ever.
2 Every day will I bless you;
I will praise your name forever and ever.
3 Great is Yahweh and greatly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
4 One generation will praise your deeds to the next
and will proclaim your mighty actions.
5 I will meditate on the majesty of your glory
and on your marvelous deeds.
6 They will speak of the power of your awesome works,
and I will declare your greatness.
7 They will declare your abounding goodness,
and they will shout joyfully about your righteousness.
8 Yahweh is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and great in steadfast love.
9 Yahweh is good to all;
his tender mercies are over all his works.
10 All your works will give thanks to you, Yahweh;
your faithful ones will bless you.
11 They will speak of the glory of your kingdom,
and they will tell of your power.
12 They will make known to mankind God's mighty deeds
and the glorious splendor of his kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
14 Yahweh supports all who are falling
and raises up all those who are bent over.
15 The eyes of all wait for you;
you give them their food at the right time.
16 You open your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 Yahweh is righteous in all his ways
and faithful in all his deeds.
18 Yahweh is near to all those who call to him,
to all who call to him in trustworthiness.
19 He fulfills the desire of those who honor him;
he hears their cry and saves them.
20 Yahweh watches over all those who love him,
but he will destroy all the wicked.
21 My mouth will speak out the praise of Yahweh;
let all mankind bless his holy name
forever and ever.
Psalm 145 is a worship psalm. This is the second in a series of worship psalms consisting of the final seven psalms (Psalms 144-150).
God is worthy of all praise. This is in part because he does such wonderful things for all who worship him.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
This is a superscription that tells about the psalm. Some scholars say that this is part of the scripture and some say that it is not. (See "What are Superscriptions in Psalms" in Introduction to Psalms.)
"tell people how wonderful you are"
The word "name" is a metonym for Yahweh himself. See how "may his glorious name be blessed" is translated in [Psalms 72:19]
The word "name" is a metonym for Yahweh himself. Alternate translation: "praise you" or "tell people how great you are"
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"the things you can do because you are strong"
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"tell others how very good you are"
The psalmist speaks of great in steadfast love as if it were a physical object of which one could possess a large amount. The abstract noun "love" can be translated with the verb "love." Alternate translation: "loving your people without ceasing"
"people can see him showing mercy in everything he does"
"All the people you have made will give thanks" or "It will be as if everything you have made will give you thanks"
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"remains forever"
The psalmist speaks of Yahweh encouraging people as if he were helping people who were physically weak. You may need to translate both lines using only one line. Alternate translation: "encourages those who are discouraged"
Here the word "eyes" represents those who watch and wait for Yahweh to act. Alternate translation: "Everyone watches and waits"
"You generously provide"
"you give everyone more than they need and as much as they want"
"People can see from everything that Yahweh does that he is righteous"
"and he is gracious in all he does" or "people can see from everything that Yahweh does that he is gracious"
Here "is near" means "ready to help." Alternate translation: "is always ready to help all those who call to him"
The abstract noun "trustworthiness" can be stated as an action. Alternate translation: "to all who tell only the truth when they pray" or "to all whom he trusts when they pray"
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Here the words "My mouth" represent the one speaking. Alternate translation: "I will speak"
"tell everyone how good Yahweh is"
The word "name" is a metonym for Yahweh himself. See how "may his glorious name be blessed" is translated in [Psalms 72:19]
1 Give praise to Yah. [1]
Praise Yahweh, my soul.
2 I give praise to Yahweh with all my life;
I will sing praises to my God as long as I exist.
3 Do not put your trust in princes
or in mankind, in whom there is no salvation.
4 When a person's life's breath stops, he returns to the ground;
on that day his plans end.
5 Blessed is he who has the God of Jacob for his help,
whose hope is in Yahweh his God.
6 Yahweh made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them;
he observes trustworthiness forever.
7 He executes justice for the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
Yahweh frees the prisoners;
8 Yahweh opens the eyes of the blind;
Yahweh raises up those who are bowed down;
Yahweh loves the righteous people.
9 Yahweh protects the foreigners in the land;
he supports the fatherless and widow,
but he opposes the wicked.
10 Yahweh will reign forever,
your God, Zion, for all generations.
Give praise to Yah. [2]
Psalm 146 is a worship psalm. It is the third in series of seven worship psalms. (Psalms 144-150)
Trusting people for protection is useless because they die. But God blesses everyone who trusts in him. He provides everything people need. (See: trust and save and bless)
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
Here "soul" represents the writer's inner being. The writer is commanding his inner being to praise Yahweh. This can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "I will praise Yahweh with all my soul" or "I give praise to Yahweh with all my life"
"until I die" or "while I live"
Here "princes" represents all human leaders.
The abstract noun "salvation" can be stated as "save." Alternate translation: "in any person because they cannot save you"
"in humankind" or "in people"
This is a polite way to refer to someone dying. Alternate translation: "When a person dies"
This means that just as God made the first human, Adam, from the soil, so will a person's body decay and become soil again when he dies.
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The words "heaven" and "earth" represent everything that exists in the physical universe.
The abstract noun "trustworthiness" can be stated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "remains trustworthy" or "remains faithful"
"He decides matters fairly"
This nominal adjective can be stated as adjectives. Alternate translation: "for oppressed people" or "for those whom other people oppress"
This nominal adjective can be stated as adjectives. Alternate translation: "to hungry people" or "to those who are hungry"
Causing a blind person to see is spoken of as if Yahweh were opening the person's eyes. Alternate translation: "causes the blind to see"
This nominal adjective can be stated as adjectives. Alternate translation: "blind people" or "those who are blind"
Yahweh helping someone is spoken of as if he were physically helping someone to stand up. Alternate translation: "Yahweh helps those who are discouraged" or "Yahweh helps those who are weak"
This action is a sign of distress or mourning.
supports
God helping someone is spoken of as if he were physically keeping them from falling to the ground.
Here "Zion" represents all the people of Israel. The writer is speaking to the people of Israel as if they were there listening to him. Alternate translation: "your God, people of Israel"
The words "will reign" are understood. Alternate translation: "will reign for all generations" or "will reign forever"
1 Give praise to Yah, [1]
for it is good to sing praises to our God;
it is pleasant, and praise is suitable.
2 Yahweh rebuilds Jerusalem;
he gathers together the scattered people of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
4 He counts the stars;
he gives names to all of them.
5 Great is our Lord and awesome in power;
his understanding cannot be measured.
6 Yahweh supports the oppressed;
he brings the wicked down to the ground.
7 Sing to Yahweh with thanksgiving;
sing praises to our God with a harp.
8 He covers the heavens with clouds
and prepares rain for the earth,
making the grass to grow on the mountains.
9 He gives food to the animals
and to the young ravens when they cry.
10 He finds no delight in the strength of a horse;
he takes no pleasure in the strong legs of a man.
11 Yahweh takes pleasure in those who honor him,
who hope in his covenant faithfulness.
12 Praise Yahweh, Jerusalem;
praise your God, Zion.
13 For he strengthens the bars of your gates;
he blesses your children among you.
14 He brings prosperity inside your borders;
he satisfies you with the finest of wheat.
15 He sends out his commandment to earth;
his command runs very swiftly.
16 He makes the snow like wool;
he scatters the frost like ashes.
17 He dispenses the hail like crumbs;
who can withstand the cold he sends?
18 He sends out his command and melts them;
he makes the wind to blow and the water to flow.
19 He proclaimed his word to Jacob,
his statutes and his righteous decrees to Israel.
20 He has not done so with any other nation,
and as for his decrees, they do not know them.
Give praise to Yah. [2]
Psalm 147 is a worship psalm. It is the fourth in a series of seven worship psalms. (Psalms 144-150)
Yahweh has created everything and controls all of nature. He provides for the animals and people.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
The object may be supplied from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: "it is pleasant to sing praises"
"praise is fitting" or "praise is appropriate"
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The writer speaks of the people's sorrow and discouragement as if they were physical wounds, and of Yahweh encouraging them as if he were healing those wounds. Alternate translation: "He encourages those who are sad and helps them to heal from their emotional wounds"
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This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "no one can measure his understanding" or "his understanding has no limit"
The writer speaks of Yahweh honoring those who are oppressed as if Yahweh were keeping them from falling to the ground. Alternate translation: "Yahweh honors the oppressed"
The writer speaks of Yahweh humiliating the wicked as if Yahweh were forcing them to lie on the ground. Alternate translation: "he humiliates the wicked"
"while playing a harp"
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"animals, and he gives food to the young ravens when they cry"
"whey they chirp" or "when they call"
"Strong horses do not delight him"
Possible meanings are 1) "strong legs" is a metonym that represents how swiftly a man can run. Alternate translation: "men who can run swiftly" or 2) "strong legs" represents the strength of the whole man. Alternate translation: "how strong a man is"
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated with and adjective. Alternate translation: "who trust him because he is faithful to his covenant"
The writer speaks to Jerusalem, which he also calls Zion, as if it were a person. The names of the city are metonyms for the people who live in it. Alternate translation: "people of Jerusalem ... people of Zion"
The phrase "the bars of your gates" represent the city as a whole. Yahweh will make Jerusalem secure from enemy invasion. Alternate translation: "For he protects Jerusalem"
The writer speaks of those who live in Jerusalem as if they were Jerusalem's children. Alternate translation: "he blesses those who live in Jerusalem"
"He brings peace." Possible meanings are 1) Yahweh causes the people who live in Jerusalem to prosper materially and financially or 2) the word translated as "prosperity" means "peace" and Yahweh keeps Jerusalem safe from enemy attack.
The writer describes God's command as if it were a messenger that moves quickly to deliver God's message.
These emphasize how easy it is for him to do these things. He covers the ground with snow as easily as a person covers something with a wool blanket. And, he removes the frost as easily as the wind blows ashes.
Yahweh scatters hail as easily as a person would scatter bread crumbs. Alternate translation: "He dispenses the hail easily, as if it were crumbs"
"He sends"
small pieces of ice that fall from the sky like rain
The writer uses this question to emphasize that it is difficult to endure the cold weather that Yahweh causes. Alternate translation: "no one can live in the cold he sends."
The writer speaks of Yahweh's command as if it were his messenger. The word "command" can be translated with a verb. Alternate translation: "He commands the ice to melt"
These two lines mean the same thing and emphasize that Yahweh gave his law only to Israel.
The verbal phrase can be supplied from the previous line. Alternate translation: "He proclaimed his statutes and his righteous decrees to Israel"
The words "statutes" and "righteous decrees," along with "word" in the previous line, all refer to the law of Moses. If your language does not have different words for these terms, you may combine the two lines into one, using either "Jacob" or "Israel" for the people who received them.
The other nations do not know Yahweh's decrees.
1 Give praise to Yah. [1]
Praise Yahweh, you in the heavens;
praise him, you in the heights.
2 Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his hosts.
3 Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars.
4 Praise him, highest heaven
and you waters that are above the sky.
5 Let them praise the name of Yahweh,
for he gave the command, and they were created.
6 He has also established them forever and ever;
he issued a decree that will never change.
7 Praise him from the earth,
you sea monsters and all ocean depths,
8 fire and hail, snow and clouds,
stormy wind fulfilling his word.
9 Praise him, mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,
10 Wild animals and all livestock,
creatures that crawl and birds with wings.
11 Praise Yahweh, you kings of the earth and all nations,
you princes, and all you judges of the earth,
12 both young men and young women,
elderly and children.
13 Let them all praise the name of Yahweh,
for his name alone is exalted
and his glory extends over the earth and the heavens.
14 He has lifted up the horn of his people
for praise from all his faithful ones,
the people of Israel, the people near to him.
Give praise to Yah. [2]
Psalm 148 is a worship psalm. It is the fifth in a series of seven worship psalms. (Psalms 144-150)
All creation, including humans, should praise God for his greatness.
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
"Praise Yahweh, you in the heavens ... you in the sky." These two lines are parallel, with phrase "the heights" meaning the same thing as "the heavens" in the previous line.
"all his armies." Here "hosts" refers to the living beings that God created in the heavens. Possible meanings are that they are called hosts 1) because they fight as armies. Alternate translation: "all his angel armies" or 2) because there are so many of them, just as armies have many soldiers. Alternate translation: "all his multitude of angels"
The writer speaks to the sun and moon as if they were people and commands them to praise Yahweh. Alternate translation: "Praise Yahweh, sun and moon, as people do"
The writer speaks to the shining stars as if they were people and commands them to praise Yahweh. Alternate translation: "Praise Yahweh, shining stars, as people do"
The phrase "highest heaven" is an idiom that refers to heaven itself. The writer speaks to heaven as if it were a person and commands it to praise Yahweh. Alternate translation: "Praise Yahweh, highest heaven, as people do"
The writer speaks to "the waters that are above the sky" as if they are people and commands them to praise Yahweh. The verbal phrase can be supplied from the previous line. Alternate translation: "praise him, you waters that are above the sky, as people do"
The writer speaks of a place above the sky where water is stored and from which the rain comes.
Here the word "name" represents Yahweh himself. Alternate translation: "Let them praise Yahweh"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "he created them"
Possible meanings are 1) "he gave a command that is permanent" or 2) "he gave a command that they will not disobey."
"he gave"
This phrase represents every creature that lives in the depths of the oceans. Alternate translation: "all creatures in the ocean depths"
The writer speaks to these natural phenomena as if they are people and commands them to praise Yahweh.
"stormy wind that does what Yahweh commands"
The writer continues to speak to things that are not human as if they were people and commands them to praise Yahweh.
Together these two phrases encompass all animals. Alternate translation: "all animals"
The writer commands all people to praise Yahweh.
The word "nations" represents the people who live in those nations. Alternate translation: "people of every nation"
The writer uses two merisms, one related to gender and one related to age, to represent every person.
Here the word "name" represents Yahweh himself. Alternate translation: "Yahweh, for he alone"
The writer speaks of Yahweh's greatness as his glory being high above earth and heaven.
The writer speaks of strength as if it were the horn of an animal. Lifting up an animal horn was a symbolic action that represented military victory. Alternate translation: "He has made his people strong" or "He has given his people victory"
"so that all his faithful ones praise him"
The writer speaks of Yahweh loving his people as if his people were physically close to him. Alternate translation: "the people he loves"
1 Give praise to Yah! [1]
Sing to Yahweh a new song;
sing his praise in the assembly of the faithful ones.
2 Let Israel rejoice in the one who made them;
let the people of Zion rejoice in their king.
3 Let them praise his name with dancing;
let them sing praises to him with tambourine and harp.
4 For Yahweh takes pleasure in his people;
he glorifies the humble with salvation.
5 Let the faithful ones rejoice in this honor;
let them sing for joy on their beds.
6 May the praises of God be in their mouths
and a two-edged sword in their hand
7 to execute vengeance on the nations
and acts of punishment on the peoples.
8 They will bind their kings with chains
and their nobles with iron shackles.
9 They will execute the judgment that is written.
This will be an honor for all his faithful ones.
Give praise to Yah. [2]
Psalm 149 is a worship psalm. It is the sixth in a series of seven worship psalms. (Psalms 144-150)
The people of Israel should praise God and conquer the other nations.
The psalmist is speaking to all of God's people, so you should use the plural command form if your language has one. Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
Possible meanings are 1) "a song you have never sung before" or 2) a song no one has ever sung before.
"praise him with songs"
Possible meanings are 1) "rejoice because he made them" or 2) "rejoice because the one who made them is good."
The words "their king" is likely a reference to God. Possible meanings are 1) "rejoice because he is their king" or 2) "rejoice because their king is good."
The word "name" is a metonym for Yahweh himself. Alternate translation: "praise him" or "tell people how great he is"
a musical instrument with a head like a drum that can be hit and with pieces of metal around the side that sound when the instrument is shaken
The abstract noun "salvation" can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: "glorifies the humble by saving them"
This can be restated to remove the nominal adjective. Alternate translation: "those who are humble"
The translation can make explicit that this refers to when a person lies down at night to sleep in a bed. Alternate translation: "as they lie down to sleep at night"
The mouth represents the whole person. Alternate translation: "May they always be ready to praise God"
If swords are not known, use the name of a local weapon. The word "sword" is a metonym for being ready to fight in war. Alternate translation: "may there be a two-edged sword in their hand" or "may they always be ready to go to war for him"
The phrase "the nations" is a metonym for the people who live in the nations. Alternate translation: "the people of the nations"
These are made of heavy metal and restrict the movement of prisoners.
a pair of chains or bands with a chain between that limits the movement of both a person's hands or feet.
The abstract noun "judgment" can be stated as "judge." Alternate translation: "They will judge and punish the people of those nations as God wrote should be done"
1 Give praise to Yah! [1]
Praise God in his holy place;
praise him in the mighty heavens.
2 Praise him for his mighty acts;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
3 Praise him with the blast of the horn;
praise him with lute and harp.
4 Praise him with tambourines and dancing;
praise him with stringed instruments and pipe.
5 Praise him with loud cymbals;
praise him with high sounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath give praise to Yah!
Give praise to Yah! [2]
Psalm 150 is a worship psalm. It is last in a series of worship psalms. (Psalms 144-150)
People should praise Yahweh with every type of musical instrument.
This focuses on praise or worship that is most commonly held in the temple. Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry.
God's temple was often referred to as his holy place. This was the most common place to go to worship God.
"the great things he has done." God's "mighty acts" can possibly mean 1) natural such as thunderstorms and earthquakes or 2) miraculous such as healings and great victories in battle.
Verses 3 to 5 focus on praising or worshiping God with musical instruments and dance.
A tambourine is a musical instrument with a head like a drum that can be hit and with pieces of metal around the side that sound when the instrument is shaken.
two thin, round metal plates that are hit together to make a loud sound
This verse is more than the end of this psalm. It is the closing statement for all of Book 5 of the Psalms, which starts at Psalm 107 and ends with Psalm 150.
This is an exaggeration that calls on all people who are alive to praise God.
1 ਧੰਨ ਹੈ ਉਹ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਦੀ ਸਮਝ ਉੱਤੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਚੱਲਦਾ, ਨਾ ਪਾਪੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਰਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਖੜ੍ਹਾ ਹੁੰਦਾ, ਅਤੇ ਨਾ ਮਖੌਲੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਮੰਡਲੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਬੈਠਦਾ ਹੈ ! 2 ਪਰ ਉਹ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਗਨ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ; ਅਤੇ ਦਿਨ ਰਾਤ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਉੱਤੇ ਧਿਆਨ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ । 3 ਉਹ ਤਾਂ ਉਸ ਦਰਖ਼ਤ ਵਰਗਾ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ, ਜਿਹੜਾ ਵਗਦੇ ਪਾਣੀਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਲਾਇਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ, ਜਿਹੜਾ ਰੁੱਤ ਸਿਰ ਆਪਣਾ ਫਲ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਜਿਸ ਦੇ ਪੱਤੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਕੁਮਲਾਉਂਦੇ, ਅਤੇ ਜੋ ਕੁੱਝ ਉਹ ਕਰੇ ਉਹ ਸਫ਼ਲ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ । 4 ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਅਜਿਹੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਪਰ ਉਹ ਘਾਹ-ਫੂਸ ਵਰਗੇ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਜਿਸ ਨੂੰ ਪੌਣ ਉਡਾ ਲੈ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ । 5 ਇਸ ਲਈ ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਨਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਖੜੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਰਹਿ ਸਕਣਗੇ, ਨਾ ਪਾਪੀ ਧਰਮੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਮੰਡਲੀ ਵਿੱਚ, 6 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਧਰਮੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਰਾਹ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਹੈ, ਪਰ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਦਾ ਰਾਹ ਨਾਸ ਹੋ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ ।
1 ਕੌਮਾਂ ਕਿਸ ਗੱਲ ਲਈ ਡੰਡ ਪਾਉਂਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਦੇਸ-ਦੇਸ ਦੇ ਲੋਕ ਕਿਉਂ ਵਿਅਰਥ ਸੋਚ ਸੋਚਦੇ ਹਨ ? 2 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਮਸੀਹ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਰਾਜੇ ਉਠ ਖੜੇ ਹੋਏ, ਅਤੇ ਹਾਕਮ ਆਪਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਤਾ ਪਕਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ 3 ਕਿ ਆਓ, ਅਸੀਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਬੰਧਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤੋੜ ਦੇਈਏ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਰੱਸੀਆਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਉੱਤੋਂ ਲਾਹ ਸੁੱਟੀਏ । 4 ਜਿਹੜਾ ਸਵਰਗ ਵਿੱਚ ਬੈਠਾ ਹੈ ਉਹ ਹੱਸੇਗਾ, ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮਖ਼ੌਲਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਡਾਵੇਗਾ । 5 ਤਦ ਉਹ ਓਹਨਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਆਪਣੇ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਵਿੱਚ ਬੋਲੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਨਾਲ ਓਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਘਬਰਾਹਟ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਾ ਦੇਵਾਂਗਾ । 6 ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਪਰਬਤ ਸੀਯੋਨ ਉੱਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਬਿਠਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ । 7 ਮੈਂ ਬਚਨ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਚਾਰ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਆਖਿਆ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰਾ ਪੁੱਤਰ ਹੈਂ, ਮੈਂ ਅੱਜ ਤੈਂਨੂੰ ਜਨਮ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ । 8 ਮੈਥੋਂ ਮੰਗ ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤੇਰੀ ਮੀਰਾਸ, ਅਤੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਕੰਢੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਮਿਲਖ਼ ਕਰ ਦਿਆਂਗਾ । 9 ਤੂੰ ਲੋਹੇ ਦੇ ਡੰਡੇ ਨਾਲ ਓਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਭੰਨ ਸੁੱਟੇਂਗਾ, ਘੁਮਿਆਰ ਦੇ ਭਾਂਡੇ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਤੂੰ ਓਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਚਕਨਾ-ਚੂਰ ਕਰ ਦੇਵੇਂਗਾ । 10 ਇਸ ਲਈ ਹੁਣ ਹੇ ਰਾਜਿਓ, ਸਿਆਣੇ ਬਣੋ, ਅਤੇ ਹੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਨਿਆਈਂਓ, ਤੁਸੀਂ ਸਮਝ ਜਾਓ । 11 ਭੈ ਨਾਲ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰੋ ਅਤੇ ਕੰਬਦੇ-ਕੰਬਦੇ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਮਨਾਓ, 12 ਪੁੱਤਰ ਨੂੰ ਚੁੰਮੋ ਕਿਤੇ ਅਜਿਹਾ ਨਾ ਹੋਵੇ ਉਹ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਵੇ, ਅਤੇ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਰਾਹ ਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੀ ਨਾਸ਼ ਹੋ ਜਾਓ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਸ ਦਾ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਛੇਤੀ ਭੜਕ ਉਠੇਗਾ । ਧੰਨ ਹਨ ਓਹ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਉਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਨਾਹ ਲੈਂਦੇ ਹਨ ।
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਕਿੰਨੇ ਹੀ ਵੱਧ ਗਏ ਹਨ, ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਬਹੁਤ ਉੱਠ ਖੜੇ ਹੋਏ ਹਨ । 2 ਬਹੁਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਆਖਦੇ ਹਨ, ਕਿ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਉਸਦਾ ਬਚਾਓ ਹੈ ਨਹੀਂ । ਸਲਹ । 3 ਪਰ ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਦੁਆਲੇ ਢਾਲ ਹੈਂ, ਮੇਰੀ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਿਰ ਦਾ ਉਠਾਉਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈਂ । 4 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੀ ਆਵਾਜ਼ ਨਾਲ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਪਹਾੜ ਤੋਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ । ਸਲਹ । 5 ਮੈਂ ਲੰਮਾ ਪੈ ਗਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਸੌਂ ਗਿਆ, ਮੈਂ ਜਾਗ ਉੱਠਿਆ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸੰਭਾਲਦਾ ਹੈ । 6 ਮੈਂ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦਸ ਹਜ਼ਾਰਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਡਰਾਂਗਾ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਆਲੇ-ਦੁਆਲੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਘੇਰਾ ਪਾ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ । 7 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਉੱਠ ! ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਚਾ, ਤੂੰ ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਜਬਾੜਿਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਮਾਰਿਆ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਦੇ ਦੰਦ ਭੰਨ ਸੁੱਟੇ ਹਨ । 8 ਬਚਾਓ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਹੈ, ਤੇਰੀ ਬਰਕਤ ਤੇਰੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਉੱਤੇ ਹੋਵੇ । ਸਲਹ ।
1 ਜਦੋਂ ਮੈਂ ਤੈਂਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰਾਂ, ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦੇ, ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਧਰਮ ਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ । ਜਦ ਮੈਂ ਮੁਸੀਬਤ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੀ, ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਖੁੱਲ੍ਹ ਦਿੱਤੀ, ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਦਯਾ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾ ਸੁਣ ਲੈ । 2 ਹੇ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦੇ ਪੁੱਤਰੋ, ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਦੋਂ ਤੱਕ ਮੇਰੀ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਦਾ ਅਨਾਦਰ ਕਰੋਗੇ, ਵਿਅਰਥ ਨਾਲ ਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਲਾਓਗੇ, ਝੂਠ ਨੂੰ ਭਾਲੋਗੇ ? ਸਲਹ । 3 ਪਰ ਇਹ ਜਾਣੋ ਕਿ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੇ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਜਨ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਲਈ ਵੱਖਰਾ ਕਰ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ । ਜਦੋਂ ਮੈਂ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰਾਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੇਰੀ ਸੁਣੇਗਾ । 4 ਕੰਬ ਜਾਓ ਅਤੇ ਪਾਪ ਨਾ ਕਰੋ, ਆਪਣਿਆਂ ਬਿਸਤਰਿਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਨਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੋਚੋ ਅਤੇ ਚੁੱਪ ਰਹੋ । ਸਲਹ । 5 ਧਰਮ ਦੇ ਬਲੀਦਾਨ ਚੜਾਓ, ਅਤੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉੱਤੇ ਆਸ ਰੱਖੋ । 6 ਬਹੁਤੇ ਇਹ ਆਖਦੇ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਕੌਣ ਕੁੱਝ ਭਲਿਆਈ ਵਿਖਾਵੇਗਾ ? ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਆਪਣੇ ਮੁੱਖੜੇ ਨੂੰ ਸਾਡੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਚਮਕਾ । 7 ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਨਾਲੋਂ, ਜਦੋਂ ਦਾਣੇ ਅਤੇ ਦਾਖ਼ਰਸ ਬਹੁਤ ਹੋ ਗਏ ਹਨ, ਵਧੇਰੇ ਅਨੰਦ ਪਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ । 8 ਮੈਂ ਸ਼ਾਂਤੀ ਨਾਲ ਲੇਟਦਿਆਂ ਹੀ ਸੌਂ ਜਾਂਵਾਂਗਾ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸ਼ਾਂਤੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਵਸਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈਂ ।
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਵੱਲ ਕੰਨ ਲਾ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਹੂੰਗਣ ਉੱਤੇ ਧਿਆਨ ਕਰ । 2 ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ, ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਮੇਰੀ ਦੁਹਾਈ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਸੁਣ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 3 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੂੰ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵੇਲੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਸੁਣੇਗਾ, ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵੇਲੇ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਤਿਆਰੀ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਉਡੀਕ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 4 ਤੂੰ ਤਾਂ ਅਜਿਹਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਜੋ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਤਾਈ ਤੋਂ ਪਰਸੰਨ ਹੋਵੇਂ, ਬਦੀ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਰਹਿ ਨਹੀਂ ਸਕਦੀ । 5 ਘਮੰਡੀ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਅੱਗੇ ਖੜ੍ਹੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋ ਸਕਦੇ, ਤੂੰ ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਬਦਕਾਰਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਵੈਰ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹੈਂ । 6 ਤੂੰ ਝੂਠ ਮਾਰਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਨਾਸ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈਂ । ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਖੂਨੀ ਅਤੇ ਛਲੀਏ ਤੋਂ ਘਿਣ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ । 7 ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਵੱਡੀ ਦਯਾ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਤੇਰੇ ਭਵਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਵਾਂਗਾ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰਾ ਭੈ ਮੰਨ ਕੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਹੈਕਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੱਥਾ ਟੇਕਾਂਗਾ । 8 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੇਰੇ ਘਾਤੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਆਪਣੇ ਧਰਮ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੇਰੀ ਅਗਵਾਈ ਕਰ, ਮੇਰੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਰਾਹ ਸਿੱਧਾ ਕਰ, 9 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਕੋਈ ਸਚਿਆਈ ਨਹੀਂ, ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਮਨ ਤਬਾਹੀ ਨਾਲ ਭਰਿਆ ਹੈ, ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਸੰਘ ਖੁੱਲੀ ਹੋਈ ਕਬਰ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਜੀਭਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਵਲ-ਛਲ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ । 10 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਤੂੰ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦੋਸ਼ੀ ਠਹਿਰਾ, ਉਹ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਯੋਜਨਾਵਾਂ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਡਿੱਗ ਪੈਣ, ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਅਪਰਾਧਾਂ ਦੇ ਬਹੁਤ ਹੋਣ ਕਾਰਨ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੱਢ ਦੇ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਵਿਦਰੋਹ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ । 11 ਪਰ ਸਭ ਜੋ ਤੇਰੀ ਸ਼ਰਨ ਆਏ ਹਨ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਣ, ਉਹ ਸਦਾ ਜੈ-ਜੈਕਾਰ ਕਰਨ ਕਿ ਤੂੰ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਚਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰੇਮੀ ਤੇਰੇ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਗ-ਬਾਗ ਹੋਣ । 12 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੂੰ ਤਾਂ ਧਰਮੀ ਨੂੰ ਬਰਕਤ ਦੇਵੇਂਗਾ ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਦੀ ਢਾਲ ਨਾਲ ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਘੇਰੀਂ ਰੱਖੇਂਗਾ ।
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਦਬਕਾ ਨਾ ਦੇ, ਨਾ ਆਪਣੇ ਤੇਜ ਕੋਪ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਤਾੜ । 2 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਦਯਾ ਕਰ ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੈ ਕੁਮਲਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹਾਂ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਚੰਗਾ ਕਰ ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੇਰੀਆ ਹੱਡੀਆਂ ਬੇਚੈਨ ਹਨ । 3 ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਵੀ ਅੱਤ ਘਬਰਾਈ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਤੂੰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਕਦੋਂ ਤੱਕ ? 4 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੁੜ ਆ, ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾ, ਆਪਣੀ ਦਯਾ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਚਾ, 5 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੌਤ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਤੇਰਾ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਨਹੀਂ, ਪਤਾਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਕੌਣ ਤੇਰਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰੇਗਾ ? 6 ਮੈਂ ਧਾਹਾਂ ਮਾਰਦਾ-ਮਾਰਦਾ ਥੱਕ ਗਿਆ, ਸਾਰੀ ਰਾਤ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਵਿਛਾਉਣੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਹੜ੍ਹ ਵਗਾ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਆਪਣੇ ਹੰਝੂਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣਾ ਮੰਜਾ ਭਿਉਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 7 ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਸੋਗ ਦੇ ਮਾਰੇ ਗਲ਼ ਗਈਆਂ, ਉਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਚੁੰਨ੍ਹੀਆਂ ਹੋ ਗਈਆਂ ਹਨ । 8 ਹੇ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਸਾਰੇ ਕੁਕਰਮੀਓ, ਮੇਰੇ ਕੋਲੋਂ ਦੂਰ ਹੋ ਜਾਓ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਰੋਣ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਸੁਣ ਲਈ ਹੈ, 9 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਸੁਣ ਲਈ ਹੈ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੇਰੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾ ਕਬੂਲ ਕਰੇਗਾ । 10 ਮੇਰੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਵੈਰੀ ਲੱਜਿਆਵਾਨ ਅਤੇ ਅੱਤ ਵਿਆਕੁਲ ਹੋਣਗੇ, ਉਹ ਮੁੜ ਜਾਣਗੇ ਅਤੇ ਅਚਣਚੇਤ ਲੱਜਿਆਵਾਨ ਹੋ ਜਾਣਗੇ ।
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਪਨਾਹ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ । ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਭ ਪਿੱਛਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਬਚਾ ਕੇ ਛੁਡਾ ਲੈ, 2 ਕਿਤੇ ਅਜਿਹਾ ਨਾ ਹੋਵੇ ਕਿ ਕੋਈ ਬੱਬਰ ਸ਼ੇਰ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਿੰਦ ਨੂੰ ਪਾੜ ਖਾਵੇ, ਅਤੇ ਕੋਈ ਛੁਡਾਉਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਨਾ ਹੋਣ ਕਰਕੇ ਉਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਟੋਟੇ-ਟੋਟੇ ਕਰ ਛੱਡੇ । 3 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਜੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਕੋਲੋਂ ਇਹ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੋਵੇ, ਜੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਹੱਥੋਂ ਬਦੀ ਹੋਈ ਹੋਵੇ, 4 ਜੇ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਾਥੀ ਨਾਲ ਬੁਰਿਆਈ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੋਵੇ, ਸਗੋਂ ਮੈਂ ਤਾਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਬੇ ਸਬੱਬੋਂ ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾਇਆ ਹੈ 5 ਤਾਂ ਵੈਰੀ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਦਾ ਪਿੱਛਾ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਫੜ ਲਵੇ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਿੰਦ ਨੂੰ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਮਿੱਧ ਦੇਵੇ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਇੱਜ਼ਤ ਨੂੰ ਮਿੱਟੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਿਲਾਵੇ । ਸਲਹ । 6 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਆਪਣੇ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਨਾਲ ਉੱਠ, ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਗ਼ਜ਼ਬ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਉੱਠ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਜਾਗ । ਤੂੰ ਨਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਹੁਕਮ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ । 7 ਉੱਮਤਾਂ ਦੀ ਮੰਡਲੀ ਮੇਰੇ ਦੁਆਲੇ ਆਵੇ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਤੂੰ ਉਤਾਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੁੜ ਜਾ । 8 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਦਾ ਨਿਆਂ ਕਰੇਗਾ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੇਰੇ ਧਰਮ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਸਿਧਿਆਈ ਦੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਮੇਰਾ ਨਿਆਂ ਕਰ । 9 ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਦੀ ਬਦੀ ਮੁੱਕ ਜਾਵੇ ਪਰ ਤੂੰ ਧਰਮੀ ਨੂੰ ਦ੍ਰਿੜ ਕਰ, ਹੇ ਧਰਮੀ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਜੋ ਦਿਲਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਗੁਰਦਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਚਦਾ ਹੈਂ । 10 ਮੇਰੀ ਢਾਲ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਕੋਲ ਹੈ, ਜਿਹੜਾ ਸਿੱਧੇ ਮਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਬਚਾਉਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈ । 11 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਸੱਚਾ ਨਿਆਈ ਹੈ, ਹਾਂ, ਇੱਕ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਰੋਜ਼ ਕ੍ਰੋਧਵਾਨ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ । 12 ਜੇ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਨਾ ਮੁੜੇ, ਤਾਂ ਉਹ ਆਪਣੀ ਤਲਵਾਰ ਤਿੱਖੀ ਕਰੇਗਾ, ਉਸ ਨੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਧੁਣੱਖ ਝੁਕਾ ਕੇ ਤਿਆਰ ਕਰ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ । 13 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਉਸ ਲਈ ਮੌਤ ਦਾ ਸ਼ਸਤਰ ਵੀ ਤਿਆਰ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਤੀਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਅਗਨ-ਬਾਣ ਬਣਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ । 14 ਵੇਖੋ, ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਨੂੰ ਬਦੀ ਦੀ ਪੀੜ ਲੱਗੀ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਸ਼ਰਾਰਤ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਗਰਭ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਈ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਝੂਠ ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਜੰਮਿਆ ਹੈ । 15 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਟੋਇਆ ਕੱਢਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਡੂੰਘਾ ਪੁੱਟਿਆ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਜਿਹੜੀ ਖੱਡ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਪੁੱਟੀ ਸੀ ਉਸੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹ ਆਪ ਡਿੱਗ ਪਿਆ । 16 ਉਸ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਰਾਰਤ ਉਸੇ ਦੇ ਸਿਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਮੁੜ ਆਵੇਗੀ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦਾ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰ ਉਸੇ ਦੇ ਸਿਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਪਵੇਗਾ । 17 ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਧਰਮ ਦੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਉਸ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਅੱਤ ਮਹਾਨ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਗਾਵਾਂਗਾ ।
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਸਾਡੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਸਾਰੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਤੇਰਾ ਨਾਮ ਕਿੰਨਾ ਹੀ ਸ਼ਾਨਦਾਰ ਹੈ, ਜਿਸ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਤੇਜ ਨੂੰ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਉੱਤੇ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ । 2 ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣਿਆ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਨਿਆਣਿਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਦੁੱਧ ਚੁੰਘਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਤੋਂ ਬਲ ਨੂੰ ਪੱਕਾ ਕੀਤਾ, ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਵੈਰੀ ਅਤੇ ਬਦਲਾ ਲੈਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਨੂੰ ਚੁੱਪ ਕਰਾ ਦੇਵੇ 3 ਜਦ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਨੂੰ ਵੇਖਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਜਿਹੜਾ ਤੇਰੀ ਦਸਤਕਾਰੀ ਹੈ, ਨਾਲੇ ਚੰਦ ਅਤੇ ਤਾਰਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਤੂੰ ਕਾਇਮ ਕੀਤੇ ਹਨ, 4 ਤਾਂ ਇਨਸਾਨ ਕੀ ਹੈ, ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਚੇਤੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਲਿਆਵੇ, ਅਤੇ ਆਦਮੀ ਜਾਇਆ ਕੀ, ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਸੁੱਧ ਲਵੇਂ ? 5 ਕਿ ਤੂੰ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨਾਲੋ ਥੋੜਾ ਜਿਹਾ ਘੱਟ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ,ਅਤੇ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਅਤੇ ਆਦਰ ਦਾ ਮੁਕਟ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਸਿਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ ! 6 ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਦਸਤਕਾਰੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਹਕੂਮਤ ਦਿੱਤੀ, ਤੂੰ ਸਭ ਕੁੱਝ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਪੈਰਾਂ ਹੇਠ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ, 7 ਸਾਰੇ ਇੱਜੜ ਅਤੇ ਵੱਗ, ਸਗੋਂ ਮੈਦਾਨ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਜਾਨਵਰ, 8 ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਦੇ ਪੰਛੀ ਅਤੇ ਸੁਮੰਦਰ ਦੀਆਂ ਮੱਛੀਆਂ, ਅਤੇ ਸਭ ਕੁੱਝ ਜੋ ਸੁਮੰਦਰ ਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਫਿਰਦਾ ਹੈ । 9 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਸਾਡੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਸਾਰੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਤੇਰਾ ਨਾਮ ਕਿੰਨਾ ਹੀ ਸ਼ਾਨਦਾਰ ਹੈ !
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਦਿਲ ਨਾਲ ਤੇਰਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਅਚਰਜ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਦਾ ਵਰਣਨ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 2 ਮੈਂ ਤੈਥੋਂ ਖੁਸ਼ ਅਤੇ ਬਾਗ-ਬਾਗ ਹੋਵਾਂਗਾ, ਹੇ ਅੱਤ ਮਹਾਨ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਗਾਵਾਂਗਾ । 3 ਜਦ ਮੇਰੇ ਵੈਰੀ ਪਿਛਾਂਹ ਮੁੜਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਸਾਹਮਣਿਓਂ ਠੇਡਾ ਖਾ ਕੇ ਨਾਸ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, 4 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰਾ ਨਿਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਫ਼ੈਸਲਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ, ਤੂੰ ਸਿੰਘਾਸਣ ਉੱਤੇ ਬੈਠ ਕੇ ਸੱਚਾ ਨਿਆਂ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ । 5 ਤੂੰ ਪਰਾਈਆਂ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਝਿੜਕਿਆ ਹੈ, ਤੂੰ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਦਾ ਨਾਸ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ, ਤੂੰ ਸਦੀਪਕ ਕਾਲ ਲਈ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਮਿਟਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ । 6 ਵੈਰੀ ਉਜੜੇ ਥਾਵਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਦਾ ਲਈ ਮੁੱਕ ਗਏ, ਅਤੇ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਨਗਰ ਤੂੰ ਢਾਹ ਦਿੱਤੇ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਚੇਤਾ ਵੀ ਮਿਟ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ । 7 ਪਰੰਤੂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸਦਾ ਹੀ ਬਿਰਾਜਮਾਨ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਿੰਘਾਸਣ ਨੂੰ ਨਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਕਾਇਮ ਕਰ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ 8 ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਧਰਮ ਨਾਲ ਜਗਤ ਦਾ ਨਿਆਂ ਕਰੇਗਾ, ਉਹ ਸਚਿਆਈ ਨਾਲ ਉਮਤਾਂ ਦਾ ਫੈਸਲਾ ਕਰੇਗਾ । 9 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸਤਾਏ ਹੋਏ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਇੱਕ ਉੱਚਾ ਗੜ੍ਹ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ, ਹਾਂ, ਬਿਪਤਾ ਦੇ ਸਮੇਂ ਲਈ ਇੱਕ ਉੱਚਾ ਗੜ੍ਹ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ । 10 ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੇ ਜਾਨਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖਦੇ ਹਨ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣਿਆਂ ਤਾਲਿਬਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤਿਆਗ ਨਹੀਂ ਦਿੱਤਾ । 11 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਗਾਓ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਸੀਯੋਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੱਸਦਾ ਹੈ, ਲੋਕਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਦਾ ਪਰਚਾਰ ਕਰੋ । 12 ਜਦ ਉਹ ਖੂਨ ਦੀ ਪੁੱਛ-ਗਿੱਛ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ ਉਹ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਚੇਤੇ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਮਸਕੀਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਦੁਹਾਈ ਨਹੀਂ ਭੁੱਲਦਾ । 13 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਦਯਾ ਕਰ, ਤੂੰ ਜੋ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮੌਤ ਦੇ ਫਾਟਕਾਂ ਤੋ ਉੱਠਾ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਮੇਰੇ ਕਲੇਸ਼ ਉੱਤੇ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਵੈਰੀਆ ਵੱਲੋ ਹੈ ਨਜ਼ਰ ਕਰ, 14 ਤਾ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਸੀਯੋਨ ਦੀ ਧੀ ਦੇ ਫਾਟਕਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੇਰੀ ਸਾਰੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਦਾ ਪਰਚਾਰ ਕਰਾ, ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਾਓ ਤੋਂ ਖੁਸ਼ ਹੋਵਾਂ । 15 ਜਿਹੜਾ ਟੋਆ ਪਰਾਈਆਂ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਨੇ ਪੁੱਟਿਆ ਸੀ ਉਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਓਹ ਆਪ ਡਿੱਗ ਪਈਆਂ ਹਨ, ਜਿਹੜੀ ਫਾਹੀ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੇ ਛਿਪਾਈ ਸੀ ਉਸੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਆਪਣਾ ਪੈਰ ਫਸ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ । 16 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉਜਾਗਰ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ, ਉਸੇ ਨੇ ਨਿਆਂ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ, ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਨੂੰ ਉਸੇ ਦੇ ਹੱਥ ਦੇ ਕੰਮ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਫਸਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ । ਹਿੱਗਯੋਨ ਸਲਹ । 17 ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਪਾਤਾਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੁੜ੍ਹ ਜਾਣਗੇ, ਉਹ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਜਿਹੜੀਆਂ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਸਾਰ ਦਿੰਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ । 18 ਕੰਗਾਲ ਤਾ ਸਦਾ ਵਿਸਰੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਰਹਿਣਗੇ, ਨਾ ਮਸਕੀਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਆਸ਼ਾ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ ਲਈ ਨਸ਼ਟ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ । 19 ਉੱਠ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਇਨਸਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਪਰਬਲ ਨਾ ਹੋਣ ਦੇ ! ਤੇਰੇ ਸਨਮੁੱਖ ਪਰਾਈਆਂ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਦਾ ਨਿਆਂ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਵੇ । 20 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਓਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਭੈਜਲ ਪਾ, ਪਰਾਈਆਂ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ ਨਿਰਾ ਇਨਸਾਨ ਹੀ ਜਾਣਨ । ਸਲਹ ।
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੂੰ ਦੂਰ ਕਿਉਂ ਖੜ੍ਹਾ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ ? ਬਿਪਤਾ ਦੇ ਵੇਲੇ ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ ਕਿਉਂ ਲੁਕਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ ? 2 ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਆਪਣੇ ਹੰਕਾਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਸਕੀਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਪਿਛੇ ਪੈ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਜਿਹੜੀਆਂ ਜੁਗਤਾਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਸੋਚੀਆਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹ ਆਪ ਫਸ ਜਾਣ ! 3 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਨ ਦੀਆਂ ਕਾਮਨਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਫੂੰ-ਫੂੰ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਲੋਭੀ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਫਿਟਕਾਰਦਾ ਅਤੇ ਤੁੱਛ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਹੈ । 4 ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਆਪਣੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਦੇ ਹੰਕਾਰ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੂੰ ਨਹੀਂ ਭਾਲੇਗਾ, ਉਸ ਦਾ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਇਹ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੈ ਹੀ ਨਹੀਂ । 5 ਉਸ ਦੀ ਚਾਲ ਹਰ ਵੇਲੇ ਇਸਥਿਰ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਿਆਂ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਸਮਝ ਤੋਂ ਉੱਚੇ ਹਨ, ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆ ਉੱਤੇ ਫੁੰਕਾਰੇ ਮਾਰਦਾ ਹੈ । 6 ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਖਦਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਕਦੇ ਨਾ ਡੋਲਾਂਗਾ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀਓ-ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਮੈਂ ਦੁੱਖ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਾ ਡੋਲਾਂਗਾ । 7 ਉਹ ਦਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਫਿਟਕਾਰ, ਛੱਲ ਅਤੇ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰ ਨਾਲ ਭਰਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਜੀਭ ਦੇ ਹੇਠ ਸ਼ਰਾਰਤ ਅਤੇ ਬਦੀ ਹੈ । 8 ਉਹ ਪਿੰਡਾਂ ਦੇ ਓਹਲਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਬੈਠਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਗੁਪਤ ਥਾਵਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਿਰਦੋਸ਼ਾਂ ਦਾ ਘਾਤ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਅੱਖੀਆਂ ਅਨਾਥਾਂ ਦੀ ਤਾਕ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੱਗੀਆ ਹੋਈਆਂ ਹਨ । 9 ਜਿਵੇਂ ਬੱਬਰ ਸ਼ੇਰ ਆਪਣੇ ਘੁਰਨੇ ਵਿੱਚ, ਉਸੇ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਗੁਪਤ ਥਾਵਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਬੈਠਾ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਮਸਕੀਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਫੜ੍ਹਨ ਲਈ ਛਹਿ ਵਿੱਚ ਬੈਠਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਮਸਕੀਨ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਜਾਲ਼ ਵਿੱਚ ਫੜ੍ਹ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ । 10 ਉਹ ਦਾਬਾ ਮਾਰ ਕੇ ਝੁੱਕ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਨਾਥ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਬਲ ਵਾਲੇ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਡਿੱਗ ਪੈਂਦੇ ਹਨ । 11 ਉਸ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਖਿਆ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਭੁੱਲ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਨੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਛਿਪਾਇਆ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਕਦੀ ਵੀ ਨਾ ਵੇਖੇਗਾ । 12 ਉੱਠ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ! ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਆਪਣਾ ਹੱਥ ਚੁੱਕ, ਮਸਕੀਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਨਾ ਵਿਸਾਰ । 13 ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਨੇ ਕਿਉਂ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੂੰ ਤੁੱਛ ਜਾਣਿਆ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਖਿਆ ਕਿ ਤੂੰ ਪੁੱਛ-ਗਿੱਛ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰੇਂਗਾ ? 14 ਤੂੰ ਤਾਂ ਵੇਖਿਆ ਹੈ ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਸ਼ਰਾਰਤ ਅਤੇ ਡਾਹ ਉੱਤੇ ਨਿਗਾਹ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹੈ, ਕਿ ਆਪਣੇ ਹੀ ਹੱਥ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੈ ਲਵੇ, ਅਨਾਥ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ ਤੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਛੱਡਦਾ ਹੈ, ਯਤੀਮ ਦਾ ਸਹਾਇਕ ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ । 15 ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਦੀ ਬਾਂਹ ਭੰਨ ਸੁੱਟ ! ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਦੀ ਬਦੀ ਨੂੰ ਭਾਲ ਜਦ ਤੱਕ ਕੁੱਝ ਹੋਰ ਨਾ ਲੱਭੇ । 16 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਜੁੱਗੋ-ਜੁੱਗ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਹੈ । ਪਰਾਈਆਂ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਦੇਸ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਨਸ਼ਟ ਹੋ ਗਈਆਂ । 17 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੂੰ ਮਸਕੀਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਇੱਛਿਆ ਸੁਣੀ ਹੈ, ਤੂੰ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਮਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦ੍ਰਿੜ ਕਰੇਂਗਾ, ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਕੰਨ ਲਾਏਗਾ 18 ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਯਤੀਮ ਅਤੇ ਸਤਾਏ ਹੋਏ ਦਾ ਨਿਆਂ ਕਰੇਂ, ਜੋ ਇਨਸਾਨ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਮਿੱਟੀ ਦਾ ਹੈ ਫਿਰ ਕਦੀ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰ ਨਾ ਕਰੇ ।
1 ਮੇਰਾ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਹੈ । ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਆਖਦੇ ਹੋ, ਕਿ ਚਿੜੀ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਹਾੜ ਨੂੰ ਉੱਡ ਜਾ ? 2 ਵੇਖੋ ਤਾਂ, ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਧਣੁੱਖ ਨੂੰ ਝੁਕਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ,ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਬਾਣ ਚਿੱਲੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਚਾੜ੍ਹਦੇ ਹਨ ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਸਿੱਧੇ ਮਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਾਰਨ । 3 ਜੇ ਨੀਹਾਂ ਢਾਹੀਆਂ ਜਾਣ, ਤਾਂ ਧਰਮੀ ਕੀ ਕਰੇ ? 4 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਹੈਕਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਸਿੰਘਾਸਣ ਸਵਰਗ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ ਉਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਤੱਕਦੀਆ ਹਨ ਉਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਪਲਕਾਂ ਆਦਮੀ ਦੀ ਸੰਤਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਚਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ । 5 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਧਰਮੀ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਚਦਾ, ਪਰ ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਅਤੇ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰੇ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰੇਮੀ ਤੋਂ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਆਤਮਾ ਘਿਣ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ । 6 ਉਹ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾ ਦੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਫਾਹੀਆਂ ਪਾਵੇਗਾ, ਅੱਗ ਅਤੇ ਗੰਧਕ ਅਤੇ ਅਗਨੀ ਲੂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਕਟੋਰੇ ਦਾ ਹਿੱਸਾ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ, 7 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਧਰਮੀ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਧਰਮ ਨਾਲ ਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹੈ, ਸਿੱਧੇ ਮਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਉਸ ਦਾ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਪਾਉਣਗੇ ।
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਬਚਾ ਲੈ ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਧਰਮੀ ਜਨ ਮੁੱਕ ਗਏ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਆਦਮੀ ਦੀ ਸੰਤਾਨ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਇਮਾਨਦਾਰ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ । 2 ਉਹ ਇੱਕ ਦੂਜੇ ਨਾਲ ਝੂਠ ਬੋਲਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਚੋਪੜੇ ਬੁੱਲ੍ਹਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਦੋ-ਦਿਲੀ ਨਾਲ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ । 3 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸਾਰੇ ਚੋਪੜੇ ਬੁੱਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਨਾਲੇ ਉਸ ਜੀਭ ਨੂੰ ਜਿਹੜੀ ਵੱਡੇ ਬੋਲ ਬੋਲਦੀ ਹੈ, ਵੱਢ ਸੁੱਟੇਗਾ । 4 ਜਿਹਨਾਂ ਨੇ ਆਖਿਆ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਅਸੀਂ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਜੀਭਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਜਿੱਤਾਂਗੇ । ਸਾਡੇ ਬੁੱਲ੍ਹ ਸਾਡੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਹੀ ਹਨ, ਕੌਣ ਸਾਡਾ ਮਾਲਕ ਹੈ ? 5 ਮਸਕੀਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰੇ ਅਤੇ ਕੰਗਾਲਾਂ ਦੀ ਠੰਡੀ ਆਹ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ, ਹੁਣ ਮੈਂ ਉੱਠਾਂਗਾ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਆਖਦਾ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਉਸ ਬਚਾਓ ਵਿੱਚ ਰੱਖਾਂਗਾ ਜਿਹ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਉਹ ਹੌਂਕਦਾ ਹੈ । 6 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਬਚਨ ਪਾਕ ਬਚਨ, ਉਸ ਚਾਂਦੀ ਵਰਗੇ ਜਿਹੜੀ ਮਿੱਟੀ ਦੀ ਭੱਠੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਤਾਈ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਸੱਤ ਵਾਰੀ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ । 7 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਕਰੇਂਗਾ, ਤੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਇਸ ਪੀੜੀ ਤੋਂ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਬਚਾਈ ਰੱਖੇਂਗਾ । 8 ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਚਾਰ ਚੁਫ਼ੇਰੇ ਫੁੱਲੇ ਫਿਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਜਦ ਆਦਮ ਵੰਸ ਦੀ ਨਖਿੱਧਤਾਈ ਦੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ ।
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੂੰ ਕਦੋਂ ਤੱਕ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਭੁਲਾ ਛੱਡੇਂਗਾ ? ਕੀ ਸਦਾ ਲਈ ? ਤੂੰ ਕਦੋਂ ਤੱਕ ਆਪਣਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਮੈਥੋਂ ਲੁਕਾਵੇਂਗਾ ? 2 ਮੈਂ ਕਦੋਂ ਤੱਕ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਖਿਚੜੀ ਪਕਾਵਾਂ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਰਾ ਦਿਨ ਆਪਣੇ ਦਿਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੋਗ ਕਰਾਂ ? ਮੇਰਾ ਵੈਰੀ ਕਦੋਂ ਤੱਕ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਿਰ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਰਹੇ ? 3 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਧਿਆਨ ਦੇ ਕੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦੇ, ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਚਾਨਣਾ ਦੇ ਕਿਤੇ ਅਜਿਹਾ ਨਾ ਹੋਵੇ ਮੌਤ ਦੀ ਨੀਂਦ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਆ ਪਵੇ, 4 ਅਜਿਹਾ ਨਾ ਹੋਵੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਵੈਰੀ ਆਖੇ, ਮੈਂ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਜਿੱਤ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਮੇਰੇ ਡੋਲ ਜਾਣ ਕਰਕੇ ਬਾਗ-ਬਾਗ ਹੋਣ । 5 ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਦਯਾ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ, ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨ ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਾਓ ਉੱਤੇ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਮਨਾਵੇਗਾ । 6 ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਲਈ ਗਾਵਾਂਗਾ, ਉਸ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਪਰਉਪਕਾਰ ਜੋ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ ।
1 ਮੂਰਖ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਖਿਆ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੈ ਹੀ ਨਹੀਂ, ਉਹ ਵਿਗੜ ਗਏ ਹਨ, ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੇ ਘਿਣਾਉਣੇ ਕੰਮ ਕੀਤੇ ਹਨ, ਭਲਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ ਕੋਈ ਨਹੀਂ । 2 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੇ ਸਵਰਗ ਤੋਂ ਆਦਮ ਵੰਸ ਉੱਤੇ ਨਿਗਾਹ ਕੀਤੀ, ਤਾਂ ਉਹ ਵੇਖੇ ਕਿ ਕੋਈ ਬੁੱਧਵਾਨ, ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦਾ ਭਾਲਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਨਹੀਂ ? 3 ਉਹ ਸੱਭੇ ਕੁਰਾਹੇ ਪੈ ਗਏ, ਓਹ ਸਭ ਦੇ ਸਭ ਭਰਿਸ਼ਟ ਹੋ ਗਏ ਹਨ । ਕੋਈ ਭਲਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ ਨਹੀਂ, ਇੱਕ ਵੀ ਨਹੀਂ ! 4 ਕੀ ਇਹ ਸਾਰੇ ਕੁਕਰਮੀ ਸਮਝ ਨਹੀਂ ਰੱਖਦੇ, ਜਿਹੜੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਨੂੰ ਖਾਂਦੇ ਜਿਵੇਂ ਰੋਟੀ ਖਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਨਹੀਂ ਲੈਂਦੇ ? 5 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਉੱਥੇ ਵੱਡਾ ਭੈ ਖਾਧਾ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਧਰਮੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਨਾਲ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ । 6 ਤੁਸੀਂ ਮਸਕੀਨ ਦੀ ਜੁਗਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਮਾੜਾ ਕਹਿੰਦੇ ਹੋ, ਪਰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਪਨਾਹ ਹੈ । 7 ਕਾਸ਼ ਕਿ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਦਾ ਬਚਾਓ ਸੀਯੋਨ ਤੋਂ ਨਿਕਲੇ ! ਜਦ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਨੂੰ ਗ਼ੁਲਾਮੀ ਤੋਂ ਮੋੜ ਲਿਆਵੇਗਾ, ਤਦ ਯਾਕੂਬ ਖੁਸ਼ ਅਤੇ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ !
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੇਰੇ ਡੇਹਰੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਕੌਣ ਰਹਿ ਸਕੇਗਾ ? ਤੇਰੇ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਪਹਾੜ ਉੱਤੇ ਕੌਣ ਵੱਸੇਗਾ ? 2 ਉਹੋ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਸਿੱਧੀ ਚਾਲ ਚੱਲਦਾ, ਨੇਕੀ ਕਰਦਾ, ਅਤੇ ਮਨੋਂ ਸੱਚ ਬੋਲਦਾ ਹੈ, 3 ਉਹ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਆਪਣੀ ਜੀਭ ਨਾਲ ਚੁਗਲੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਦਾ, ਨਾ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਾਥੀ ਦਾ ਬੁਰਾ ਕਰਦਾ, ਅਤੇ ਨਾ ਆਪਣੇ ਗੁਆਂਢੀ ਨੂੰ ਉਲਾਹਮਾ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ । 4 ਜਿਸ ਦੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਿਕੰਮਾ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਤੁੱਛ ਹੈ, ਪਰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਤੋਂ ਭੈ ਮੰਨਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਆਦਰ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ । ਜਿਹੜਾ ਸਹੁੰ ਖਾ ਕੇ ਮੁੱਕਰਦਾ ਨਹੀਂ, ਭਾਵੇਂ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਘਾਟਾ ਵੀ ਪਵੇ, 5 ਉਹ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਵਿਆਜ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਆਪਣਾ ਪੈਸਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਦਿੰਦਾ, ਅਤੇ ਨਾ ਨਿਰਦੋਸ਼ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਰਿਸ਼ਵਤ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਜਿਹੜਾ ਅਜਿਹਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ ਉਹ ਕਦੀ ਵੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਡੋਲੇਗਾ ।
1 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੇਰੀ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਕਰ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਹੀ ਸ਼ਰਨ ਆਇਆ ਹਾਂ । 2 ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਆਖਿਆ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਮੇਰਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਹੈ, ਤੇਰੇ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਮੇਰੀ ਕਿਤੇ ਵੀ ਭਲਿਆਈ ਨਹੀਂ । 3 ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਜਨ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਹਨ, ਉਹ ਆਦਰਯੋਗ ਹਨ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੇਰੀ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਪੂਰੀ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ । 4 ਜਿਹੜੇ ਦੂਜੇ ਦੇਵਤਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਪਿੱਛੇ ਭੱਜਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਦੁੱਖ ਵੱਧ ਜਾਣਗੇ । ਮੈਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਲਹੂ ਵਾਲੀਆਂ ਭੇਟਾਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਡੋਹਲਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਨਾ ਆਪਣੇ ਬੁੱਲਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਲਿਆਵਾਂਗਾ । 5 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੇਰੀ ਵਿਰਾਸਤ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਕਟੋਰੇ ਦਾ ਭਾਗ ਹੈ । ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਹਿੱਸੇ ਦਾ ਰਖਵਾਲਾ ਹੈਂ । 6 ਮਨਭਾਉਂਦੇ ਥਾਵਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਮਿਣਤੀ ਕੀਤੀ ਗਈ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮਨ ਭਾਉਂਦਾ ਹਿੱਸਾ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਹੈ । 7 ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਧੰਨ ਆਖਾਂਗਾ ਜਿਸ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਲਾਹ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਹੈ, ਰਾਤ ਦੇ ਸਮੇਂ ਮੇਰਾ ਦਿਲ ਸਿਖਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ । 8 ਮੈਂ ਸਦਾ ਹੀ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਸੱਜੇ ਪਾਸੇ ਜੋ ਹੈ ਇਸ ਲਈ ਮੈਂ ਨਾ ਡੋਲਾਂਗਾ । 9 ਇਸ ਕਰਕੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਦਿਲ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਇਆ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਰੂਹ ਨਿਹਾਲ ਹੋਈ, ਮੇਰਾ ਸਰੀਰ ਵੀ ਚੈਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੱਸੇਗਾ, 10 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਪਤਾਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਾ ਛੱਡੇਂਗਾ, ਨਾ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਪੁਰਖ ਨੂੰ ਕਬਰ ਵੇਖਣ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ । 11 ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਜੀਵਨ ਦਾ ਮਾਰਗ ਵਿਖਾਵੇਂਗਾ, ਤੇਰੇ ਹਜ਼ੂਰ ਅਨੰਦ ਦੀ ਭਰਪੂਰੀ ਹੈ, ਤੇਰੇ ਸੱਜੇ ਹੱਥ ਸਦਾ ਖੁਸ਼ੀਆਂ ਹਨ ।
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਸਚਿਆਈ ਨੂੰ ਸੁਣ, ਮੇਰੀ ਪੁਕਾਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਧਿਆਨ ਦੇ, ਮੇਰੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾ ਉੱਤੇ ਕੰਨ ਲਾ ਜਿਹੜੀ ਨਿਸ਼ਕਪਟ ਬੁੱਲਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਹੈ । 2 ਮੇਰਾ ਫ਼ੈਸਲਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਹਜ਼ੂਰ ਤੋਂ ਨਿੱਕਲੇ, ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਅੱਖੀਆਂ ਸਿੱਧਿਆਈ ਨੂੰ ਵੇਖਣ । 3 ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਚਿਆ ਹੈ, ਰਾਤ ਨੂੰ ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਪਰਖਿਆ ਹੈ, ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਤਾਇਆ ਹੈ ਪਰ ਕੁੱਝ ਨਾ ਲੱਭਾ, ਮੈਂ ਠਾਣ ਲਿਆ ਕਿ ਮੇਰਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਉਲੰਘਣ ਨਾ ਕਰੇ । 4 ਇਨਸਾਨ ਦੇ ਕਰਮਾਂ ਦੇ ਵਿਖੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ ਜ਼ਾਲਮਾਂ ਦੇ ਮਾਰਗਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਬਚਾ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ । 5 ਮੇਰੇ ਕਦਮਾਂ ਨੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਰਾਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਠੀਕ ਫੜਿਆ ਹੈ, ਮੇਰੇ ਪੈਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਤਿਲਕੇ । 6 ਮੈਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰਿਆ ਹੈ, ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਤੂੰ ਤਾਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦੇਵੇਂਗਾ, ਮੇਰੀ ਵੱਲ ਆਪਣਾ ਕੰਨ ਝੁਕਾ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਸੁਣ । 7 ਆਪਣੀ ਅਚਰਜ ਦਯਾ ਵਿਖਾ, ਤੂੰ ਜੋ ਆਪਣੇ ਸੱਜੇ ਹੱਥ ਨਾਲ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਪਨਾਹ ਲੈਂਦੇ ਹਨ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਬਚਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈਂ । 8 ਅੱਖ ਦੀ ਕਾਕੀ ਦੀ ਨਿਆਈਂ ਮੇਰੀ ਰਾਖੀ ਕਰ, ਆਪਣੇ ਖੰਭਾਂ ਦੀ ਛਾਇਆ ਹੇਠ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਲੁਕਾ ਲੈ, 9 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਜਿਹਨਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਧੱਕਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ, ਮੇਰੇ ਜਾਨੀ ਦੁਸ਼ਮਣਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਘੇਰ ਲੈਂਦੇ ਹਨ । 10 ਉਹ ਆਪਣੀ ਹੀ ਚਰਬੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਗੁੱਥੇ ਹੋਏ ਹਨ, ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਤੋਂ ਘਮੰਡ ਨਾਲ ਬੋਲਦੇ ਹਨ । 11 ਹੁਣ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਪੈਰ-ਪੈਰ ਤੇ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਘੇਰਿਆ ਹੈ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਲਾ ਰੱਖੀਆਂ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਪਟਕਾ ਦੇਣ । 12 ਉਹ ਬੱਬਰ ਸ਼ੇਰ ਵਰਗਾ ਹੈ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਪਾੜਨਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਬੱਬਰ ਸ਼ੇਰ ਦੇ ਬੱਚੇ ਵਰਗਾ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਘਾਤ ਵਿੱਚ ਬੈਠਦਾ ਹੈ । 13 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਉੱਠ, ਉਹ ਦਾ ਸਾਹਮਣਾ ਕਰ, ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਕੱਸ ਕੇ ਬੰਨ ਲੈ, ਆਪਣੀ ਤਲਵਾਰ ਨਾਲ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਤੋਂ ਬਚਾ ਕੇ ਛੁਡਾ ਲੈ, 14 ਮਨੁੱਖਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਹੱਥ ਨਾਲ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਸੰਸਾਰੀ ਮਨੁੱਖਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਹਿੱਸਾ ਇਸੇ ਜਿਉਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾ ਦਾ ਢਿੱਡ ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਭੰਡਾਰ ਤੋਂ ਭਰ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈਂ । ਉਹ ਬੱਚਿਆ ਨਾਲ ਸੰਤੁਸ਼ਟ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਮਾਲ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣਿਆਂ ਬਾਲ-ਬੱਚਿਆ ਲਈ ਛੱਡ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ । 15 ਮੈਂ ਧਰਮ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੇਰੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਦਾ ਦਰਸ਼ਣ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਜਦੋਂ ਮੈਂ ਜਾਗਾਂਗਾ ਤਦ ਤੇਰੇ ਰੂਪ ਨਾਲ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤ ਹੋਵਾਂਗਾ ।
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੇਰੇ ਬਲ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 2 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੇਰੀ ਚੱਟਾਨ, ਮੇਰਾ ਗੜ੍ਹ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਛੁਡਾਉਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈ, ਮੇਰਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੇਰੀ ਚੱਟਾਨ, ਜਿਸ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਰਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੈਂ ਆਇਆ ਹਾਂ, ਮੇਰੀ ਢਾਲ, ਮੇਰੇ ਬਚਾਓ ਦਾ ਸਿੰਗ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਉੱਚਾ ਗੜ੍ਹ ਹੈ । 3 ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਉਸਤਤ ਯੋਗ ਹੈ, ਪੁਕਾਰਾਂਗਾ ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਬਚ ਜਾਂਵਾਂਗਾ । 4 ਮੌਤ ਦੀਆਂ ਡੋਰੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਘੇਰ ਲਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਕੁਧਰਮੀ ਦੇ ਹੜ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਡਰਾਇਆ । 5 ਪਤਾਲ ਦੀਆਂ ਡੋਰੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਘੇਰ ਲਿਆ, ਮੌਤ ਦੇ ਫੰਦੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਹੋਏ । 6 ਆਪਣੀ ਔਖ ਦੇ ਵੇਲੇ ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੀ ਦੁਹਾਈ ਦਿੱਤੀ । ਉਸ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਹੈਕਲ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਮੇਰੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਸੁਣੀ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਦੁਹਾਈ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ, ਸਗੋਂ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਕੰਨਾਂ ਤੱਕ ਪਹੁੰਚੀ । 7 ਤਦ ਧਰਤੀ ਕੰਬ ਗਈ ਅਤੇ ਥਰ-ਥਰਾਈ, ਅਤੇ ਪਹਾੜਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਨੀਹਾਂ ਹਿੱਲ ਗਈਆਂ, ਅਤੇ ਧੜਕ ਉੱਠੀਆਂ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਹ ਕ੍ਰੋਧਵਾਨ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ ਸੀ ! 8 ਉਸ ਦੀਆਂ ਨਾਸਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਧੂੰਆਂ ਉੱਠਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਤੋਂ ਅੱਗ ਭਸਮ ਕਰਦੀ ਸੀ, ਅੰਗਿਆਰੇ ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਦਗ-ਦਗ ਕਰਨ ਲੱਗੇ । 9 ਉਸਨੇ ਅਕਾਸ਼ਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਝੁਕਾਇਆ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਹੇਠਾਂ ਉਤਰਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਪੈਰਾਂ ਹੇਠ ਘੁੱਪ ਹਨੇਰਾ ਸੀ । 10 ਤਦ ਉਹ ਕਰੂਬੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਚੜ੍ਹ ਕੇ ਉੱਡਿਆ, ਹਾਂ, ਪੌਣ ਦਿਆਂ ਖੰਭਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਉਡਾਰੀ ਮਾਰੀ । 11 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰੇ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਗੁਪਤ ਸਥਾਨ, ਕਾਲੇ ਜਲਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਦੀਆਂ ਘਟਾਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਲੇ-ਦੁਆਲੇ ਦਾ ਮੰਡਪ ਬਣਾਇਆ । 12 ਉਹ ਦੀ ਹਜ਼ੂਰੀ ਦੀ ਝਲਕ ਤੋਂ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਘਟਾਂਵਾਂ ਦੇ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਗੜੇ ਅਤੇ ਅੰਗਿਆਰੇ ਨਿੱਕਲੇ । 13 ਤਦ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਵਿੱਚ ਗਰਜਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਅੱਤ ਮਹਾਨ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਸੁਣਾਈ, ਗੜ੍ਹੇ ਅਤੇ ਅੰਗਿਆਰੇ । 14 ਫੇਰ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਤੀਰ ਚਲਾ ਕੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਛਿੰਨ-ਭਿੰਨ ਕੀਤਾ, ਅਤੇ ਬਿਜਲੀਆਂ ਲਿਸ਼ਕਾ ਕੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਘਬਰਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ । 15 ਤਾਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਦਬਕੇ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਨਾਸਾਂ ਦੇ ਸੁਆਸ ਦੇ ਝੋਕੇ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਪਾਣੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਨਾਲੀਆਂ ਦਿੱਸ ਪਈਆਂ, ਅਤੇ ਜਗਤ ਦੀਆਂ ਨੀਹਾਂ ਖੁੱਲ੍ਹ ਗਈਆਂ । 16 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਉੱਪਰੋਂ ਹੱਥ ਕੱਢ ਕੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਲੈ ਲਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਪਾਣੀ ਦੇ ਹੜਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਕੱਢਿਆ । 17 ਮੇਰੇ ਬਲਵੰਤ ਵੈਰੀ ਤੋਂ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾਇਆ, ਅਤੇ ਓਹਨਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਮੈਥੋਂ ਘਿਣ ਕਰਦੇ ਸਨ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਓਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਤਕੜੇ ਸਨ । 18 ਮੇਰੀ ਬਿਪਤਾ ਦੇ ਦਿਨ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਾਹਮਣਾ ਕੀਤਾ, ਪਰੰਤੂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਹਾਰਾ ਸੀ । 19 ਉਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਖੁੱਲ੍ਹੇ ਸਥਾਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਕੱਢ ਲਿਆਇਆ, ਉਹ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾਇਆ ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਹ ਮੈਥੋਂ ਪਰਸੰਨ ਸੀ । 20 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਧਰਮ ਦੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਦਲਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਮੇਰੇ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਦੀ ਸੁੱਚਮਤਾਈ ਦੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਵੱਟਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ, 21 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਰਾਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕੀਤੀ, ਅਤੇ ਬਦੀ ਕਰਕੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਤੋਂ ਬੇਮੁੱਖ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋਇਆ । 22 ਉਹ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਨਿਆਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਰਹੇ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਕੋਲੋਂ ਦੂਰ ਨਾ ਕੀਤਾ । 23 ਮੈਂ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਪੂਰਾ ਉਤਰਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਬਦੀ ਤੋਂ ਬਚਾਈ ਰੱਖਿਆ । 24 ਸੋ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੇ ਨਿਗਾਹ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਧਰਮ ਦੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਦੀ ਸੁੱਚਮਤਾਈ ਦੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਵੱਟਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ । 25 ਦਯਾਵਾਨ ਲਈ ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ ਦਯਾਵਾਨ ਵਿਖਾਏਂਗਾ, ਪੂਰੇ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਲਈ ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ ਪੂਰਾ ਵਿਖਾਏਂਗਾ । 26 ਸ਼ੁੱਧ ਲਈ ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ ਸ਼ੁੱਧ ਵਿਖਾਏਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਹਾਠੇ ਲਈ ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ ਹਾਠਾ ਵਿਖਾਏਂਗਾ । 27 ਤੂੰ ਦੁੱਖੀ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਚਾਵੇਂਗਾ, ਪਰ ਉੱਚੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਨੀਵੀਆਂ ਕਰੇਂਗਾ । 28 ਫੇਰ ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰਾ ਦੀਵਾ ਬਾਲਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੇਰਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਮੇਰੇ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰੇ ਨੂੰ ਚਾਨਣ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ । 29 ਤਦ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਨਾਲ ਇੱਕ ਜੱਥੇ ਦੇ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਦੀ ਭੱਜ ਸਕਦਾ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਂ ਕੰਧ ਨੂੰ ਟੱਪ ਸਕਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 30 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦਾ ਰਾਹ ਪੂਰਾ ਹੈ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਬਚਨ ਤਾਇਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਸ਼ਰਨਾਰਥੀਆਂ ਲਈ ਇੱਕ ਢਾਲ ਹੈ । 31 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਹੋਰ ਕੌਣ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੈ ? ਅਤੇ ਸਾਡੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਤੋਂ ਛੁੱਟ ਹੋਰ ਕਿਹੜੀ ਚੱਟਾਨ ਹੈ ? 32 ਉਹ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਜੋ ਮੇਰਾ ਲੱਕ ਬਲ ਨਾਲ ਕੱਸਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਰਾਹ ਸੰਪੂਰਨ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ । 33 ਉਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਪੈਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਹਰਨੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਪੈਰਾਂ ਜਿਹੇ ਬਣਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਉੱਚਿਆਂ ਥਾਂਵਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਖੜ੍ਹਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ । 34 ਉਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਯੁੱਧ ਕਰਨਾ ਇਉਂ ਸਿਖਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਬਾਹਾਂ ਪਿੱਤਲ ਦਾ ਧਣੱਖ ਝੁਕਾ ਦਿੰਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ । 35 ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਬਚਾਓ ਦੀ ਢਾਲ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਸੱਜੇ ਹੱਥ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸੰਭਾਲਿਆ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਨਰਮਾਈ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਵਡਿਆਇਆ ਹੈ । 36 ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਹੇਠ ਮੇਰੇ ਕਦਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵਧਾਇਆ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪੈਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਤਿਲਕੇ । 37 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣਿਆਂ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਪਿੱਛਾ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਜਾ ਲਿਆ, ਮੈਂ ਪਿਛਾਹਾਂ ਨਾ ਹਟਿਆ ਜਿੰਨਾ ਚਿਰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਨਾਸ ਨਾ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ । 38 ਮੈਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਅਜਿਹਾ ਫੰਡਿਆ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਫੇਰ ਨਾ ਉੱਠ ਸਕੇ, ਉਹ ਪੈਰਾਂ ਹੇਠ ਡਿੱਗ ਪਏ ਸਨ । 39 ਤੂੰ ਯੁੱਧ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਮੇਰੇ ਲੱਕ ਨੂੰ ਬਲ ਨਾਲ ਕੱਸਿਆ ਹੈ, ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਹੇਠ ਝੁਕਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ । 40 ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਪਿੱਠ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਵਿਖਾਈ, ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਘਿਣ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਸੱਤਿਆਨਾਸ ਕੀਤਾ । 41 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਦੁਹਾਈ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਪਰ ਕੋਈ ਬਚਾਉਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਸੀ, ਸਗੋਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਅੱਗੇ ਵੀ, ਪਰ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ । 42 ਫੇਰ ਮੈਂ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਹਵਾ ਨਾਲ ਉੱਡਦੀ ਧੂੜ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਪੀਹ ਸੁੱਟਿਆ, ਰਸਤੇ ਦੇ ਚਿੱਕੜ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸੁੱਟ ਦਿੱਤਾ । 43 ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦੇ ਝਗੜਿਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਛੁਡਾਇਆ, ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਦਾ ਮੁਖੀਆ ਥਾਪਿਆ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੈਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਤਾ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਕੀਤੀ । 44 ਸੁਣਦਿਆਂ ਸਾਰ ਉਹ ਅਧੀਨ ਹੋ ਗਏ, ਪਰਦੇਸੀ ਮੇਰੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਹਿਚਕ ਕੇ ਆਏ । 45 ਪਰਦੇਸੀ ਕੁਮਲਾ ਗਏ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਕੋਟਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਥਰਥਰਾਉਂਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਨਿੱਕਲੇ । 46 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਜਿਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਸੋ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਹੋਵੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਚੱਟਾਨ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਬਚਾਓ ਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੀ ਬਜ਼ੁਰਗੀ ਹੋਵੇ ! 47 ਉਸੇ ਹੀ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਬਦਲਾ ਲਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਅਧੀਨ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ, 48 ਜਿਸ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਛੁਡਾਇਆ, ਹਾਂ, ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਉੱਚਾ ਕੀਤਾ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਜ਼ਾਲਮਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਬਚਾਇਆ । 49 ਇਸ ਲਈ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਂ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੇਰਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਦਾ ਜਸ ਗਾਵਾਂਗਾ । 50 ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਵੱਡੇ ਬਚਾਓ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਸਹ ਕੀਤੇ ਹੋਏ ਉੱਤੇ ਅਰਥਾਤ ਦਾਊਦ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਅੰਸ ਉੱਤੇ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਦਯਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ ।
1 ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੀ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਦਾ ਵਰਣਨ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਅੰਬਰ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਦਸਤਕਾਰੀ ਵਿਖਾਲਦਾ ਹੈ । 2 ਦਿਨ ਦਿਨ ਨਾਲ ਬੋਲੀ ਬੋਲਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਰਾਤ ਰਾਤ ਨੂੰ ਗਿਆਨ ਦੱਸਦੀ ਹੈ । 3 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਨਾ ਕੋਈ ਬੋਲੀ ਨਾ ਕੋਈ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਹਨ, ਨਾ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਸੁਣੀਦੀ ਹੈ । 4 ਸਾਰੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਗੂੰਜ ਪਹੁੰਚਦੀ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਸੰਸਾਰ ਦੀਆਂ ਹੱਦਾਂ ਤੱਕ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਬੋਲ । ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਸੂਰਜ ਲਈ ਡੇਰਾ ਬਣਾਇਆ ਹੈ, 5 ਜਿਹੜਾ ਲਾੜੇ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਕੋਠੜੀ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਨਿੱਕਲਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਸੂਰਮੇ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਚੱਕਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਦੌੜ ਲਾ ਕੇ ਖੁਸ਼ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ । 6 ਅਕਾਸ਼ਾਂ ਦੇ ਇੱਕ ਸਿਰੇ ਤੋਂ ਉਸ ਦਾ ਚੜ੍ਹਨਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦਾ ਦੌਰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਦੂਜੇ ਸਿਰੇ ਤੱਕ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਗਰਮੀ ਤੋਂ ਕੋਈ ਚੀਜ਼ ਲੁਕੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਰਹਿੰਦੀ ।
7 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਪੂਰੀ ਖਰੀ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਬਹਾਲ ਕਰਦੀ ਹੈ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਸਾਖੀ ਸੱਚੀ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਭੋਲੇ ਨੂੰ ਬੁੱਧਵਾਨ ਕਰਦੀ ਹੈ । 8 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਫਰਮਾਨ ਸਿੱਧੇ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਦਿਲ ਨੂੰ ਅਨੰਦ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਹੁਕਮ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਅੱਖੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਚਾਨਣ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ । 9 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਭੈ ਸ਼ੁੱਧ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਕਾਇਮ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਨਿਆਂ ਸੱਚੇ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਨਿਰੇ ਪੁਰੇ ਧਰਮ ਹਨ । 10 ਉਹ ਸੋਨੇ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਸਗੋਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਕੁੰਦਨ ਸੋਨੇ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਮਨਭਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਸ਼ਹਿਦ ਅਤੇ ਮਖੀਲ ਦਿਆਂ ਚੋਇਆਂ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਵੀ ਮਿੱਠੇ ਹਨ । 11 ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਤੇਰਾ ਦਾਸ ਚਿਤਾਇਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਮੰਨਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੱਡਾ ਲਾਭ ਹੈ । 12 ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਭੁੱਲਾਂ ਚੁੱਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੌਣ ਸਮਝ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ ? ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਗੁੱਝੇ ਪਾਪਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਅਜ਼ਾਦ ਕਰ, 13 ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਦਾਸ ਨੂੰ ਹੰਕਾਰ ਤੋਂ ਰੋਕ ਰੱਖ, ਉਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਹਕੂਮਤ ਨਾ ਕਰਨ, ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਪੂਰਾ ਖਰਾ ਉਤਰਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਵੱਡੇ ਪਾਪਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਬਰੀ ਠਹਿਰਾਂਗਾ । 14 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੇਰੀ ਚੱਟਾਨ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਛੁਡਾਉਣ ਵਾਲੇ, ਮੇਰੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਦਾ ਵਿਚਾਰ, ਤੇਰੇ ਹਜ਼ੂਰ ਮੰਨਣ ਯੋਗ ਹੋਵੇ ।
1 ਬਿਪਤਾ ਦੇ ਦਿਨ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦੇਵੇ, ਯਾਕੂਬ ਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਉੱਚਿਆਂ ਕਰੇ । 2 ਉਹ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਸਥਾਨ ਤੋਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਭੇਜੇ, ਅਤੇ ਸੀਯੋਨ ਤੋਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਸੰਭਾਲੇ, 3 ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਭੇਟਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਚੇਤੇ ਰੱਖੇ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਹੋਮ ਬਲੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਕਬੂਲ ਕਰੇ । ਸਲਹ । 4 ਉਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਮਨੋਰਥਾਂ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਦੇਵੇ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਸਾਰੀ ਯੋਜਨਾ ਨੂੰ ਪੂਰਾ ਕਰੇ । 5 ਅਸੀਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਾਓ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਜੈ ਜੈ ਕਾਰ ਕਰਾਂਗੇ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਤੋਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਝੰਡੇ ਖੜੇ ਕਰਾਂਗੇ । ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਮੰਗਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪੂਰਾ ਕਰੇ । 6 ਹੁਣ ਮੈਂ ਜਾਣਿਆ ਕਿ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਸਹ ਕੀਤੇ ਹੋਏ ਨੂੰ ਬਚਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਸਵਰਗ ਤੋਂ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ, ਆਪਣੇ ਸੱਜੇ ਹੱਥ ਦੀ ਬਚਾਉਣ ਵਾਲੀ ਸਮਰੱਥਾ ਨਾਲ । 7 ਕੋਈ ਰਥਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਅਤੇ ਕੋਈ ਘੋੜਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ, ਪਰ ਅਸੀਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਨੂੰ ਯਾਦ ਕਰਾਂਗੇ । 8 ਓਹ ਝੁਕੇ ਅਤੇ ਡਿੱਗ ਪਏ ਹਨ, ਪਰ ਅਸੀਂ ਉੱਠੇ ਅਤੇ ਸਿੱਧੇ ਖੜ੍ਹੇ ਹੋ ਗਏ ਹਾਂ । 9 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਬਚਾ ਲੈ ! ਸਾਡੀ ਪੁਕਾਰ ਦੇ ਵੇਲੇ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦੇ !
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੇਰੀ ਸਮਰੱਥਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਾਓ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਹੁਤ ਮਗਨ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ ! 2 ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਮਨੋਰਥ ਪੂਰਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਬੁੱਲਾਂ ਦੀ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਤੂੰ ਰੋਕਿਆ ਨਹੀਂ । ਸਲਹ । 3 ਭਲਿਆਈ ਦੀਆਂ ਬਰਕਤਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਅੱਗਲ ਵਾਂਢੀ ਮਿਲਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਤੂੰ ਕੁੰਦਨ ਸੋਨੇ ਦਾ ਮੁਕਟ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਸਿਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ । 4 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਕੋਲੋਂ ਜੀਵਨ ਮੰਗਿਆ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਦੇ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਸਗੋਂ ਅਨੰਤਕਾਲ ਤੱਕ ਉਮਰ ਦਾ ਵਾਧਾ ਵੀ । 5 ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਾਓ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਪਰਤਾਪ ਵੱਡਾ ਹੈ, ਤੇਜ ਅਤੇ ਉਪਮਾ ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹੈਂ । 6 ਤੂੰ ਤਾਂ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਸਦਾ ਲਈ ਬਰਕਤਾਂ ਦਾ ਕਾਰਨ ਠਹਿਰਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਹਜ਼ੂਰੀ ਦੇ ਅਨੰਦ ਨਾਲ ਮਗਨ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈਂ, 7 ਇਸ ਲਈ ਕਿ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਅੱਤ ਮਹਾਨ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਨਾਲ ਉਹ ਕਦੇ ਨਾ ਡਾਲੇਗਾ । 8 ਤੇਰਾ ਹੱਥ ਤੇਰੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਲੱਭ ਕੇ ਕੱਢੇਗਾ, ਤੇਰਾ ਸੱਜਾ ਹੱਥ ਤੇਰੇ ਦੁਸ਼ਮਣਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਲੱਭ ਲਵੇਗਾ । 9 ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਹਜ਼ੂਰੀ ਦੇ ਵੇਲੇ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਅੱਗ ਦੇ ਤੰਦੂਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਾਵੇਂਗਾ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਨਿਗਲ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਅੱਗ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਭਸਮ ਕਰ ਦੇਵੇਗੀ । 10 ਤੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਫਲ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੋਂ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਵੰਸ ਆਦਮੀ ਦੇ ਵੰਸ ਦੇ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਨਾਸ ਕਰੇਂਗਾ, 11 ਭਾਵੇਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਬੁਰਿਆਈ ਠਾਣੀ, ਅਤੇ ਯੋਜਨਾ ਬਣਾਈ ਜਿਸ ਨੂੰ ਪੂਰਾ ਨਾ ਕਰ ਸਕੇ, 12 ਤੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਪਿੱਠ ਆਪਣੀ ਵੱਲ ਮੋੜੇਂਗਾ, ਤੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਦੇ ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਬਾਣ ਚਿੱਲੇ ਚੜਾ ਦੇਵੇਂਗਾ । 13 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਸਮਰੱਥਾ ਨਾਲ ਮਹਾਨ ਹੋ, ਅਸੀਂ ਗਾਉਂਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਤੇਰੀ ਸ਼ਕਤੀ ਦਾ ਜਸ ਕਰਾਂਗੇ ।
1 ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਕਿਉਂ ਛੱਡ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ ? ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਬਚਾਉਣ ਤੋਂ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਭੁੱਬਾਂ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਬਦਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਕਿਉਂ ਦੂਰ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ ? 2 ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੈਂ ਦਿਨ ਵੇਲੇ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਪਰ ਤੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਦਿੰਦਾ, ਅਤੇ ਰਾਤ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਪਰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਚੈਨ ਨਹੀਂ । 3 ਤੂੰ ਤਾਂ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਹੈਂ, ਤੂੰ ਜੋ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਦੀਆਂ ਉਸਤਤਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੱਸਦਾ ਹੈਂ । 4 ਸਾਡੇ ਪਿਉ-ਦਾਦਿਆਂ ਨੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਕੀਤਾ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਅਤੇ ਤੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾਇਆ । 5 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਦੁਹਾਈ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਅਤੇ ਛੁਟਕਾਰਾ ਪਾਇਆ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਓਹ ਸ਼ਰਮਿੰਦੇ ਨਾ ਹੋਏ । 6 ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਕੀੜਾ ਹਾਂ, ਮੈਂ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਨਹੀਂ ਹਾਂ, ਆਦਮੀ ਦੀ ਨਮੋਸ਼ੀ ਅਤੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੁੱਛ ਹਾਂ । 7 ਜਿੰਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਵੇਖਦੇ ਹਨ ਓਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮਖੌਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਡਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਬੁੱਲ ਪਸਾਰਦੇ ਅਤੇ ਸਿਰ ਹਿਲਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ, 8 "ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਅਧੀਨ ਹੋ ਜਾ, ਉਹ ਹੀ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾਵੇ, ਉਹ ਹੀ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਬਚਾਵੇ ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਹ ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਪਰਸੰਨ ਹੈ " । 9 ਪਰ ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਕੁੱਖੋਂ ਬਾਹਰ ਲਿਆਇਆ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਮਾਤਾ ਦੀਆਂ ਦੁੱਧੀਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਦਿਲਾਇਆ, 10 ਜੰਮਦਿਆ ਸਾਰ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਹੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖਿਆ, ਮਾਤਾ ਦੀ ਕੁੱਖ ਤੋਂ ਹੀ ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੈਂ । 11 ਮੈਥੋਂ ਦੂਰ ਨਾ ਰਹਿ ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਬਿਪਤਾ ਨੇੜੇ ਆ ਗਈ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਕੋਈ ਸਹਾਇਕ ਨਹੀਂ । 12 ਬਹੁਤੇ ਸਾਹਨਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਘੇਰ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ, ਬਾਸ਼ਾਨ ਦੇ ਬਲਵੰਤ ਬਲ਼ਦਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਘੇਰਾ ਪਾ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ, 13 ਓਹ ਪਾੜਨ ਅਤੇ ਗੱਜਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਬੱਬਰ ਸ਼ੇਰ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਅੱਡਦੇ ਹਨ । 14 ਮੈਂ ਪਾਣੀ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਡੋਹਲਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹਾਂ, ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਹੱਡੀਆਂ ਉੱਖੜ ਗਈਆਂ ਹਨ, ਮੇਰਾ ਦਿਲ ਮੋਮ ਵਰਗਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਪਿਘਲ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ । 15 ਮੇਰੀ ਸ਼ਕਤੀ ਠੀਕਰੇ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਸੁੱਕ ਗਈ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜੀਭ ਤਾਲੂ ਨਾਲ ਲੱਗਦੀ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮੌਤ ਦੀ ਧੂੜ ਵਿੱਚ ਰੱਖ ਛੱਡਿਆ । 16 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਕੁੱਤਿਆਂ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਘੇਰ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ, ਕੁਕਰਮੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਟੋਲੀ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਘੇਰਾ ਪਾ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਹੱਥ-ਪੈਰ ਵਿੰਨ੍ਹ ਸੁੱਟੇ ਹਨ । 17 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਹੱਡੀਆਂ ਗਿਣ ਸਕਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਓਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਘੂਰ-ਘੂਰ ਕੇ ਵੇਖਦੇ ਹਨ । 18 ਓਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਕੱਪੜੇ ਆਪੋ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੰਡ ਲੈਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਿਬਾਸ ਉੱਤੇ ਪਰਚੀਆਂ ਪਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ । 19 ਪਰ ਤੂੰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੂਰ ਨਾ ਰਹਿ, ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਬਲ, ਮੇਰੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਲਈ ਛੇਤੀ ਕਰ, 20 ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਤਲਵਾਰ ਤੋਂ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਜੀਵ ਨੂੰ ਕੁੱਤੇ ਦੇ ਵੱਸ ਤੋਂ ਛੁਡਾ । 21 ਬੱਬਰ ਸ਼ੇਰ ਦੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਤੋਂ ਬਚਾ, ਅਤੇ ਜੰਗਲੀ ਸਾਹਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਸਿੰਙਾਂ ਤੋਂ, ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ । 22 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣਿਆਂ ਭਰਾਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤੇਰਾ ਨਾਮ ਸੁਣਾਵਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਸਭਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੇਰੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 23 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਤੋਂ ਡਰਨ ਵਾਲਿਓ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੋ, ਯਾਕੂਬ ਦਾ ਸਾਰਾ ਵੰਸ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਕਰੋ, ਅਤੇ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਦਾ ਸਾਰਾ ਵੰਸ, ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਡਰੋ, 24 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਦੁਖੀਏ ਦੇ ਦੁੱਖ ਨੂੰ ਤੁੱਛ ਨਾ ਜਾਣਿਆ ਨਾ ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਘਿਣ ਕੀਤੀ, ਅਤੇ ਨਾ ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਆਪਣਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਛਿਪਾਇਆ, ਅਤੇ ਜਦ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦੁਹਾਈ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਤਾਂ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਸੁਣਿਆ । 25 ਮਹਾਂ ਸਭਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੇਰਾ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰਨਾ ਤੇਰੀ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਡਰਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਅੱਗੇ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਸੁੱਖਣਾਂ ਪੂਰੀਆਂ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 26 ਨਮਰ ਲੋਕ ਖਾਣਗੇ ਅਤੇ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤ ਹੋਣਗੇ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਖੋਜੀ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰਨਗੇ, ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਮਨ ਸਦਾ ਜਿਉਂਦਾ ਰਹੇ ! 27 ਧਰਤੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਚੇਤੇ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਵੱਲ ਫਿਰਨਗੀਆਂ, ਅਤੇ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਘਰਾਣੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਮੱਥਾ ਟੇਕਣਗੇ, 28 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਰਾਜ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਉਹੋ ਹਾਕਮ ਹੈ । 29 ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਲੋਕ ਖਾਣਗੇ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਮੱਥਾ ਟੇਕਣਗੇ, ਓਹ ਸੱਭੇ ਜੋ ਮਰ ਮਿਟਦੇ ਹਨ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਝੁਕਣਗੇ, ਅਤੇ ਕੋਈ ਆਪਣੀ ਜਾਨ ਜਿਉਂਦੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਰੱਖ ਸਕਦਾ । 30 ਇੱਕ ਵੰਸ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰੇਗਾ, ਉਹ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੀ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਕਰਕੇ ਗਿਣਿਆ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ । 31 ਓਹ ਆਉਣਗੇ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਧਰਮ ਜਨਮ ਲੈਣ ਵਾਲੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਨੂੰ ਦੱਸਣਗੇ, ਕਿ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਹੀ ਇਹ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ ।
1 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੇਰਾ ਅਯਾਲੀ ਹੈ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਥੁੜ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ । 2 ਉਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਹਰੇ ਹਰੇ ਘਾਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਜੂਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਿਠਾਉਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸੁਖਦਾਇਕ ਪਾਣੀਆ ਕੋਲ ਲੈ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ । 3 ਉਹ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਾਨ ਪਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਧਰਮ ਦੇ ਮਾਰਗਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੇ ਨਮਿਤ ਮੇਰੀ ਅਗਵਾਈ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ । 4 ਭਾਵੇ ਮੈਂ ਮੌਤ ਦੀ ਛਾਂ ਦੀ ਵਾਦੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਫਿਰਾਂ, ਮੈਂ ਕਿਸੇ ਬਦੀ ਤੋਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਡਰਾਂਗਾ, ਤੂੰ ਜੋ ਮੇਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਹੈ । ਤੇਰੀ ਸੋਟੀ ਤੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਲਾਠੀ, ਇਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਤਸੱਲੀ ਦਿੰਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ । 5 ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਸਨਮੁੱਖ ਮੇਰੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਮੇਜ਼ ਵਿਛਾਉਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਿਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਤੇਲ ਝੱਸਿਆ ਹੈ, ਮੇਰਾ ਕਟੋਰਾ ਭਰਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ । 6 ਸੱਚ-ਮੁੱਚ ਭਲਿਆਈ ਅਤੇ ਦਯਾ ਜਿਉਣ ਭਰ ਮੇਰਾ ਪਿੱਛਾ ਕਰਨਗੀਆਂ, ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਸਦਾ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਘਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਵਸਾਂਗਾ !
1 ਧਰਤੀ ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਭਰਪੂਰੀ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਹੈ, ਜਗਤ ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਨਿਵਾਸੀ । 2 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਨੀਂਹ ਸਮੁੰਦਰਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਰੱਖੀ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਵਗਦੇ ਪਾਣੀਆ ਉੱਤੇ ਕਾਇਮ ਕੀਤਾ । 3 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਪਹਾੜ ਉੱਤੇ ਕੌਣ ਚੜ੍ਹੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਸਥਾਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਕੌਣ ਖੜ੍ਹਾ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ ? 4 ਉਹ ਜਿਸ ਦੇ ਹੱਥ ਪਾਕ ਅਤੇ ਮਨ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਜਿਸ ਨੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਜੀਅ ਬਦੀ ਵੱਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਲਾਇਆ,ਅਤੇ ਛਲਣ ਲਈ ਸਹੁੰ ਨਹੀਂ ਖਾਧੀ । 5 ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਬਰਕਤ ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਮੁਕਤੀਦਾਤੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਕੋਲੋਂ ਧਰਮ ਮਿਲੇਗਾ । 6 ਇਹ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਖੋਜੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਹੈ, ਜਿਹੜੀ ਤੇਰੇ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਭਾਲਦੀ ਹੈ, ਹੇ ਯਾਕੂਬ । ਸਲਹ । 7 ਹੇ ਫਾਟਕੋ, ਆਪਣੇ ਸਿਰ ਉੱਚੇ ਕਰੋ, ਹੇ ਆਦਿ ਦਰਵੱਜਿਓ, ਉੱਚੇ ਹੋ ਜਾਓ ! ਤਦ ਜਲਾਲ ਦਾ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਅੰਦਰ ਆਵੇਗਾ । 8 ਇਹ ਜਲਾਲ ਦਾ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਕੌਣ ਹੈ ? ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸਮਰੱਥੀ ਅਤੇ ਬਲੀ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਯੁੱਧ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਲੀ ਹੈ । 9 ਫਾਟਕੋ, ਆਪਣੇ ਸਿਰ ਉੱਚੇ ਕਰੋ, ਹੇ ਆਦਿ ਦਰਵੱਜਿਓ, ਉੱਚੇ ਹੋ ਜਾਓ ! ਤਦ ਜਲਾਲ ਦਾ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਅੰਦਰ ਆਵੇਗਾ । 10 ਇਹ ਜਲਾਲ ਦਾ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਕੌਣ ਹੈ ? ਸੈਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਉਹੋ ਜਲਾਲ ਦਾ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਹੈ । ਸਲਹ ।
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣਾ ਮਨ ਤੇਰੇ ਵੱਲ ਚੁੱਕਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 2 ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸ਼ਰਮਿੰਦਾ ਨਾ ਹੋਣ ਦੇ, ਨਾ ਵੈਰੀਆ ਨੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਬਗਲਾਂ ਵਜਾਉਣ ਦੇ । 3 ਜਿੰਨ੍ਹੇ ਤੈਂਨੂੰ ਤਕਦੇ ਹਨ ਓਹ ਸ਼ਰਮਿੰਦੇ ਨਾ ਹੋਣਗੇ, ਸ਼ਰਮਿੰਦੇ ਉਹੋ ਹੋਣਗੇ ਜੋ ਮੱਲੋ ਮੱਲੀ ਧੋਖਾ ਦਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ । 4 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਆਪਣੇ ਰਾਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਵਿਖਾਲ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਾਰਗ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਿਖਲਾ । 5 ਆਪਣੀ ਸੱਚਾਈ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੇਰੀ ਅਗਵਾਈ ਕਰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਿਖਲਾ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰਾ ਮੁਕਤੀਦਾਤਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ਰ ਹੈ, ਸਾਰਾ ਦਿਨ ਮੈਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਤਕਦਾ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 6 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ,ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਦਿਆਲ਼ਗੀਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਦਯਾ ਨੂੰ ਚੇਤੇ ਰੱਖ, ਉਹ ਤਾਂ ਮੁੱਢ ਤੋਂ ਹਨ । 7 ਮੇਰੀ ਜਵਾਨੀ ਦੇ ਪਾਪਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਅਪਰਾਧ ਨੂੰ ਚੇਤੇ ਨਾ ਰੱਖ । ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ,ਆਪਣੀ ਦਯਾ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ, ਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਭਲਾਈ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਚੇਤੇ ਰੱਖ । 8 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਭਲਾ ਅਤੇ ਸੱਚਾ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਕਰਕੇ ਉਹ ਪਾਪੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਰਾਹ ਸਿਖਲਾਏਗਾ । 9 ਉਹ ਮਸਕੀਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਅਗਵਾਈ ਨਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਕਰੇਗਾ,ਅਤੇ ਅਧੀਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਰਾਹ ਸਿਖਾਲੇਗਾ । 10 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਨੇਮ ਅਤੇ ਸਾਖੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਮੰਨਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਲਈ, ਉਸ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਮਾਰਗ ਦਯਾ ਅਤੇ ਸਚਿਆਈ ਦੇ ਹਨ l 11 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਆਪਣੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੇ ਨਮਿੱਤ ਮੇਰੀ ਬਦੀ ਨੂੰ ਖਿਮਾ ਕਰ ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਹ ਵੱਡੀ ਹੈ । 12 ਉਹ ਕਿਹੜਾ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਹੈ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਤੋਂ ਡਰਦਾ ਹੈ ? ਉਹ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਚੁਣੇ ਰਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਸਿਖਾਲੇਗਾ । 13 ਉਸ ਦਾ ਜੀਅ ਸੁਖੀ ਵੱਸੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦਾ ਵੰਸ ਧਰਤੀ ਦਾ ਵਾਰਸ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ । 14 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਭੇਤ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਡਰ ਮੰਨਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਆਪਣਾ ਨੇਮ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦੱਸੇਗਾ । 15 ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਹਰ ਵੇਲੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਵੱਲ ਲੱਗੀਆਂ ਹਨ, ਕਿ ਉਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਪੈਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਲ਼ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਕੱਢ ਲਵੇ । 16 ਮੇਰੀ ਵੱਲ ਮੂੰਹ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਦਯਾ ਕਰ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਇਕੱਲਾ ਅਤੇ ਦੁੱਖੀ ਹਾਂ । 17 ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਦੇ ਸੰਕਟ ਵਧ ਗਏ ਹਨ, ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਮੁਸ਼ਕਿਲਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਾਹਰ ਕੱਢ । 18 ਮੇਰੇ ਦੁੱਖ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਕਸ਼ਟ ਨੂੰ ਵੇਖ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਪਾਪਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਚੁੱਕ ਲੈ । 19 ਮੇਰੇ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੇਖ ਕਿ ਓਹ ਬਾਹਲੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਓਹ ਬਦੋ-ਬਦੀ ਮੇਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਵੈਰ ਰੱਖਦੇ ਹਨ । 20 ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਦੀ ਰਖਵਾਲੀ ਕਰ ਅਤੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸ਼ਰਮਿੰਦਾ ਨਾ ਹੋਣ ਦੇ ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਸ਼ਰਨ ਆਇਆ ਹਾਂ । 21 ਖਰਿਆਈ ਅਤੇ ਸਿਧਿਆਈ ਮੇਰੀ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਕਰਨ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਤੈਂਨੂੰ ਤੱਕਦਾ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 22 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਨੂੰ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਸੰਕਟਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਛੁਟਕਾਰਾ ਦੇ !
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੇਰਾ ਨਿਆਂ ਕਰ ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਖਰਿਆਈ ਨਾਲ ਹੀ ਚੱਲਿਆ ਹਾਂ, ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ ਇਸ ਲਈ ਮੈਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਤਿਲਕਾਂਗਾ । 2 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਪਰਖ ਅਤੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਪਰਤਾ, ਮੇਰੇ ਗੁਰਦੇ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਦਿਲ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਚ, 3 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੇਰੀ ਦਯਾ ਮੇਰੀ ਅੱਖੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਸਚਿਆਈ ਵਿੱਚ ਚੱਲਿਆ ਹਾਂ । 4 ਮੈਂ ਨਿਕੰਮਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਸੰਗ ਨਹੀਂ ਬੈਠਾ, ਨਾ ਮੈਂ ਕਪਟੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਸੰਗ ਅੰਦਰ ਜਾਂਵਾਂਗਾ । 5 ਬੁਰਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਸਭਾ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਂ ਵੈਰ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਦੇ ਸੰਗ ਮੈਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਬੈਠਾਂਗਾ । 6 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਨਿਰਮਲਤਾਈ ਵਿੱਚ ਧੋਵਾਂਗਾ, ਸੋ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਜਗਵੇਦੀ ਦੀ ਪਰਦੱਖਣਾ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, 7 ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਦਾ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਸੁਣਾਵਾਂ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਅਚਰਜ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਦਾ ਬਿਆਨ ਕਰਾਂ । 8 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਭਵਨ ਦੇ ਵਸੇਬਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਦੇ ਡੇਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 9 ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਪਾਪੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਨਾ ਮਿਲਾ, ਨਾ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਿੰਦ ਨੂੰ ਖੂਨੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ । 10 ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾ ਦੇ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਸ਼ਰਾਰਤ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾ ਦਾ ਸੱਜਾ ਹੱਥ ਰਿਸ਼ਵਤਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਭਰਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ । 11 ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਖਰਾ ਹੀ ਚੱਲਾਂਗਾ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਛੁਟਕਾਰਾ ਦੇ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਦਯਾ ਕਰ । 12 ਮੇਰਾ ਪੈਰ ਪੱਧਰੇ ਥਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਟਿਕਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਸਭਾਵਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਧੰਨ ਆਖਾਂਗਾ ।
1 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੇਰਾ ਚਾਨਣ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਬਚਾਓ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਕਿਸ ਤੋਂ ਡਰਾਂ ? ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਜੀਉਣ ਦਾ ਗੜ੍ਹ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਕਿਸ ਦਾ ਭੈ ਖਾਵਾਂ ? 2 ਜਦ ਬੁਰਿਆਰ ਅਰਥਾਤ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਅਤੇ ਵੈਰੀ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਾਸ ਖਾਣ ਨੂੰ ਨੇੜੇ ਆਏ, ਤਾਂ ਓਹ ਠੇਡਾ ਖਾ ਕੇ ਡਿੱਗ ਪਏ । 3 ਭਾਵੇਂ ਇੱਕ ਦਲ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਡੇਰਾ ਲਾ ਲਵੇ, ਤਾਂ ਵੀ ਮੇਰਾ ਦਿਲ ਨਾ ਡਰੇਗਾ । ਭਾਵੇਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਜੁੱਧ ਉੱਠੇ, ਇਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੀ ਮੈਂ ਆਸਵੰਤ ਹਾਂ । 4 ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਤੋਂ ਇੱਕ ਗੱਲ ਮੰਗੀ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਉਹੀ ਭਾਲਾਗਾਂ, ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਜੀਉਣ ਭਰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਘਰ ਵੱਸਾਂ, ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਮਨੋਹਰਤਾ ਨੂੰ ਤੱਕਾਂ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਹੈਕਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਧਿਆਨ ਕਰਾਂ । 5 ਬਿਪਤਾ ਦੇ ਦਿਨ ਉਹ ਤਾਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਮੰਡਪ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੁਕਾਵੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਤੰਬੂ ਦੇ ਪਰਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਛਿਪਾਵੇਗਾ, ਉਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਚੱਟਾਨ ਤੇ ਉੱਚਾ ਕਰੇਗਾ । 6 ਹੁਣ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਿਰ ਮੇਰੇ ਆਲੇ-ਦੁਆਲੇ ਦੇ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਉੱਚਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਤੰਬੂ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੈਂ ਜੈ-ਜੈ ਕਾਰ ਦੇ ਚੜਾਵੇ ਚੜਾਵਾਂਗਾ, ਮੈਂ ਗਾਵਾਂਗਾ, ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਜ਼ਬੂਰ ਗਾਵਾਂਗਾ । 7 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੇਰੀ ਪੁਕਾਰ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਸੁਣ, ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਦਯਾ ਕਰ ਅਤੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦੇ । 8 "ਮੇਰੇ ਦਰਸ਼ਣ ਦੀ ਖੋਜ ਕਰੋ," ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਨੇ ਤੈਂਨੂੰ ਆਖਿਆ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਦਰਸ਼ਣ ਦੀ ਖੋਜ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 9 ਆਪਣਾ ਮੁੱਖ ਮੇਰੇ ਤੋਂ ਨਾ ਲੁਕਾ, ਆਪਣੇ ਦਾਸ ਨੂੰ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਨਾਲ ਦੂਰ ਨਾ ਕਰ, ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਹਾਇਕ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈਂ, ਨਾ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਛੱਡ, ਨਾ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਤਿਆਗ, ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਮੁਕਤੀ ਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ! 10 ਜਦ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਾਤਾ-ਪਿਤਾ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਤਿਆਗ ਦੇਣ, ਤਦ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸੰਭਾਲੇਗਾ । 11 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਆਪਣਾ ਰਾਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਿਖਾਲ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਘਾਤੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਸਿੱਧੇ ਰਾਹ ਉੱਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਅਗਵਾਈ ਕਰ । 12 ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਮਰਜ਼ੀ ਦੇ ਹਵਾਲੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਨਾ ਕਰ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਝੂਠੇ ਗਵਾਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਉੱਠੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਜੋ ਜ਼ੁਲਮ ਦੀਆਂ ਫੂਕਾਂ ਮਾਰਦੇ ਹਨ । 13 ਪਰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਜੀਉਂਦਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਭਲਿਆਈ ਵੇਖਣ ਦਾ ਵਿਸ਼ਵਾਸ ਸੀ । 14 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਉਡੀਕ, ਤਕੜਾ ਹੋ ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰਾ ਮਨ ਦਲੇਰ ਹੋਵੇ, ਹਾਂ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਹੀ ਉਡੀਕ !
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਂ ਤੈਂਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰਾਂਗਾ, ਹੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਚੱਟਾਨ, ਮੇਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਚੁੱਪ ਨਾ ਰਹਿ, ਅਜਿਹਾ ਨਾ ਹੋਵੇ ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਤੋਂ ਚੁੱਪ ਵੱਟ ਲਵੇਂ ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਰਗਾ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਵਾਂ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਕਬਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਤਰਦੇ ਹਨ । 2 ਮੇਰੀ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਸੁਣ ਲਈ, ਜਦੋਂ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਦੁਹਾਈ ਦੇਵਾਂ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਹੱਥ ਤੇਰੇ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਸਥਾਨ ਦੀ ਵਿਚਲੀ ਕੋਠੜੀ ਵੱਲ ਉਠਾਵਾਂ । 3 ਬੁਰਿਆਰਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਕੁਕਰਮੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਨਾ ਗਿਣ, ਜਿਹੜੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਗੁਆਢੀਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਸ਼ਾਂਤੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਬੋਲਦੇ ਹਨ, ਪਰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਮਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਦੀ ਹੈ । 4 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਦੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਸਗੋਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਬਦਕਾਰੀ ਦੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਦਲਾ ਦੇ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਦੇ ਕੰਮ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦੇ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਕੀਤੀ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਪਾ ਦੇ, 5 ਇਸ ਕਰਕੇ ਕਿ ਓਹ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ, ਉਹ ਦੇ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਜਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਧਿਆਨ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਦੇ, ਉਹ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਢਾਹੇਗਾ ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਉਸਾਰੇਗਾ । 6 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਹੋਵੇ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਬੇਨਤੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਸੁਣੀ ਹੈ । 7 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੇਰਾ ਬਲ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਢਾਲ ਹੈ, ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਨੇ ਉਸ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨ ਮੌਜ ਮਾਣਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਗੀਤ ਨਾਲ ਉਸ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 8 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਬਲ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਸਹ ਕੀਤੇ ਹੋਏ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਬਚਾਓ ਦਾ ਗੜ੍ਹ ਹੈ । 9 ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਨੂੰ ਬਚਾ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਵਿਰਸੇ ਨੂੰ ਬਰਕਤ ਦੇ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕਰ ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਦਾ ਸੰਭਾਲੀ ਰੱਖ ।
1 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਪੁੱਤਰੋ, ਮਹਿਮਾ ਅਤੇ ਸਮਰੱਥਾ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਮੰਨੋ । 2 ਮਹਿਮਾ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਮੰਨੋ, ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਬਸਤਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਮੱਥਾ ਟੇਕੋ । 3 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਪਾਣੀਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਹੈ, ਜਲਾਲ ਦਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਗਰਜਦਾ ਹੈ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਵੱਡੇ ਪਾਣੀਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਹੈ । 4 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਜ਼ੋਰ ਵਾਲੀ ਹੈ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਸ਼ਾਨਦਾਰ ਹੈ । 5 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਦਿਆਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤੋੜਦੀ ਹੈ, ਸਗੋਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਲਬਾਨੋਨ ਦੇ ਦਿਆਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤੋੜ ਸੁੱਟਦਾ ਹੈ ! 6 ਉਹ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੱਛੇ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ, ਲਬਾਨੋਨ ਅਤੇ ਸਿਰਯੋਨ ਨੂੰ ਜੰਗਲੀ ਵੱਛੇ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਕੁਦਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ । 7 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਅੱਗ ਦੀਆਂ ਲਾਟਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪਾੜਦੀ ਹੈ, 8 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਉਜਾੜ ਹਿਲਾਉਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਕਾਦੇਸ਼ ਦੀ ਉਜਾੜ ਨੂੰ ਹਿਲਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ ! 9 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਹਰਨੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਪੀੜਾਂ ਲਾ ਦਿੰਦੀ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਜੰਗਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਝਾੜ ਸੁੱਟਦੀ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਹੈਕਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਹਰ ਇੱਕ ਆਖਦਾ ਹੈ "ਮਹਿਮਾ ! " 10 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਜਲ ਪਰਲੋ ਉੱਤੇ ਬੈਠਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸਦਾ ਲਈ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਬੈਠਦਾ ਹੈ । 11 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਨੂੰ ਬਲ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਨੂੰ ਸ਼ਾਂਤੀ ਦੀ ਬਰਕਤ ਬਖਸ਼ੇਗਾ ।
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉਤਾਹਾਂ ਖਿੱਚਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਣ ਨਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ । 2 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਦੁਹਾਈ ਦਿੱਤੀ, ਅਤੇ ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਚੰਗਿਆ ਕੀਤਾ । 3 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਪਤਾਲ ਤੋਂ ਉਠਾ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ, ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਜੀਉਂਦਿਆ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਕਬਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਾ ਉਤਰ ਜਾਂਵਾਂ । 4 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਸੰਤੋ, ਉਹ ਦੇ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਓ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਪਵਿੱਤਰਤਾਈ ਚੇਤੇ ਰੱਖ ਕੇ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰੋ ! 5 ਉਹ ਦਾ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਪਲ ਭਰ ਦਾ ਹੈ, ਪਰ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਜੀਉਣ ਭਰ ਦੀ ਹੈ । ਭਾਵੇਂ ਰਾਤ ਨੂੰ ਰੋਣਾ ਪਵੇ, ਪਰ ਸਵੇਰ ਨੂੰ ਜੈ-ਜੈ ਕਾਰ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ । 6 ਮੈਂ ਤਾਂ ਸੁੱਖ ਦੇ ਵੇਲੇ ਆਖਿਆ ਸੀ, ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਕਦੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਡੋਲਾਂਗਾ । 7 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਹਾੜ ਨੂੰ ਸਥਿਰ ਰੱਖਿਆ, ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਮੁਖ ਲੁਕਾਇਆ, ਮੈਂ ਘਬਰਾਇਆ । 8 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਂ ਤੈਂਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਅੱਗੇ ਮੈਂ ਇਹ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਕੀਤੀ, 9 ਕਿ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਹੂ ਦਾ ਕੀ ਲਾਭ ਹੈ ਜਦੋਂ ਮੈਂ ਕਬਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਤਰ ਜਾਂਵਾਂ ? ਭਲਾ, ਮਿੱਟੀ ਤੇਰਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰੇਗੀ ? ਭਲਾ, ਉਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਸਚਿਆਈ ਦੱਸੇਗੀ ? 10 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਸੁਣ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਦਯਾ ਕਰ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਹਾਇਕ ਹੋ ! 11 ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਿੱਟਣ ਨੂੰ ਨੱਚਣ ਨਾਲ ਬਦਲ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰਾ ਤੱਪੜ ਲਾਹ ਕੇ ਅਨੰਦ ਦਾ ਕਮਰ-ਕੱਸਾ ਬੱਧਾ । 12 ਜੋ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਤੇਰੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਗਾਵੇ ਅਤੇ ਚੁੱਪ ਨਾ ਰਹੇ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੈਂ ਸਦਾ ਤੇਰਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ ।
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਸ਼ਰਨ ਆਇਆ ਹਾਂ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਕਦੇ ਵੀ ਸ਼ਰਮਿੰਦਾ ਨਾ ਹੋਣ ਦੇ, ਆਪਣੇ ਧਰਮ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾ ! 2 ਆਪਣਾ ਕੰਨ ਮੇਰੀ ਵੱਲ ਝੁਕਾ ਅਤੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਛੇਤੀ ਛੁਡਾ ! ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਇੱਕ ਮਜਬੂਤ ਚੱਟਾਨ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਬਚਾਓ ਲਈ ਗੜ੍ਹ ਹੋ । 3 ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰੀ ਚੱਟਾਨ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਗੜ੍ਹ ਹੈਂ, ਇਸ ਕਾਰਨ ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੇ ਸਦਕੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਲਈ ਚੱਲ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਅਗਵਾਈ ਕਰ । 4 ਤੂੰ ਉਸ ਜਾਲ਼ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਲੁਕ ਕੇ ਵਿਛਾਇਆ ਹੈ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਕੱਢ, ਤੂੰ ਜੋ ਮੇਰਾ ਗੜ੍ਹ ਹੈਂ । 5 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਤਮਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਹੱਥ ਸੌਂਪਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਛੁਟਕਾਰਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸਚਿਆਈ ਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ! 6 ਮੈਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਵੈਰ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਦੇਵਤਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੰਨਦੇ ਹਨ, ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 7 ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਦਯਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਗਨ ਅਤੇ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਵਾਂਗਾ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਦੁੱਖ ਨੂੰ ਵੇਖਿਆ ਹੈ, ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਦੇ ਕਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਣ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ । 8 ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਵੈਰੀ ਦੇ ਹੱਥੀਂ ਬੰਦ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰ ਛੱਡਿਆ ਹੈ, ਤੂੰ ਖੁਲੇ ਥਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੇਰੇ ਪੈਰ ਸਥਿਰ ਕੀਤੇ ਹਨ । 9 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਦਯਾ ਕਰ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਸਮੱਸਿਆ ਵਿੱਚ ਹਾਂ । ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਗਮੀ ਦੇ ਮਾਰੇ ਗਲ਼ ਗਈਆਂ, ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਰੀਰ ਵੀ । 10 ਮੇਰਾ ਜੀਵਨ ਸੋਗ ਵਿੱਚ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਾਲ ਹੌਕੇ ਭਰਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੰਘ ਗਏ ਹਨ, ਮੇਰੀ ਬਦੀ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਮੇਰਾ ਬਲ ਘੱਟ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਹੱਡੀਆਂ ਗਲ਼ ਗਈਆਂ ਹਨ । 11 ਆਪਣੇ ਸਭ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਮੈਂ ਉਲਾਹਮਾ ਬਣਿਆ, ਖਾਸ ਕਰਕੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਗੁਆਂਢੀਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਜਾਣ-ਪਛਾਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਲਈ ਡਰ ਦਾ ਕਾਰਨ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਾਹਰ ਵੇਖਿਆ ਓਹ ਮੈਥੋਂ ਭੱਜ ਗਏ । 12 ਮੈਂ ਮਰੇ ਹੋਏ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਮਨੋਂ ਭੁਲਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਗਿਆ ਹਾਂ, ਅਤੇ ਟੁੱਟੇ ਹੋਏ ਭਾਂਡੇ ਵਰਗਾ ਹਾਂ । 13 ਮੈਂ ਤਾਂ ਬਹੁਤਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਬਦਨਾਮੀ ਸੁਣੀ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਆਲੇ-ਦੁਆਲੇ ਭੈ ਹੀ ਭੈ ਸੀ, ਜਦੋਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਆਪੋ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਮਤਾ ਪਕਾਇਆ, ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਲੈਣ ਦੀ ਯੋਜਨਾ ਕੀਤੀ । 14 ਪਰ ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਆਖਿਆ ਕਿ ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਮੇਰਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੈਂ । 15 ਮੇਰੇ ਸਮੇਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਹੱਥ ਵਿੱਚ ਹਨ, ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਸਤਾਉਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਹੱਥੋਂ ਛੁਡਾ । 16 ਆਪਣੇ ਮੁੱਖ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਦਾਸ ਉੱਤੇ ਚਮਕਾ, ਆਪਣੀ ਦਯਾ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਚਾ ! 17 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸ਼ਰਮਿੰਦਾ ਨਾ ਹੋਣ ਦੇ, ਮੈਂ ਜੋ ਤੈਂਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰਿਆ ਹੈ । ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਸ਼ਰਮਿੰਦੇ ਹੋਣ, ਓਹ ਚੁੱਪ-ਚਾਪ ਪਤਾਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਏ ਰਹਿਣ ! 18 ਉਹ ਝੂਠੇ ਬੁੱਲ ਬੰਦ ਹੋ ਜਾਣ, ਜਿਹੜੇ ਧਰਮੀ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਬੇਅਦਬੀ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ, ਹੰਕਾਰ ਅਤੇ ਨਫ਼ਰਤ ਨਾਲ ਬੋਲਦੇ ਹਨ ! 19 ਕਿੰਨ੍ਹੀ ਵੱਡੀ ਹੈ ਤੇਰੀ ਭਲਿਆਈ ! ਜਿਹੜੀ ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਭੈ ਮੰਨਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਗੁਪਤ ਕਰ ਰੱਖੀ ਹੈ, ਜਿਹੜੀ ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਸ਼ਰਨਾਰਥੀਆਂ ਲਈ ਆਦਮ ਵੰਸ ਦੇ ਸਨਮੁੱਖ ਪਰਗਟ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੈ । 20 ਤੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਹਜ਼ੂਰੀ ਦੀ ਓਟ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦੀਆਂ ਜੁਗਤਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਛਿਪਾਵੇਂਗਾ, ਤੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਜੀਭਾਂ ਦੇ ਝਗੜੇ ਤੋਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਮੰਡਪ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੁਕਾ ਰੱਖੇਂਗਾ । 21 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਹੋਵੇ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਇੱਕ ਘੇਰੇ ਹੋਏ ਸ਼ਹਿਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਅਚਰਜ ਦਯਾ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੈ । 22 ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੀ ਘਬਰਾਹਟ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਖਿਆ ਸੀ ਕਿ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਅੱਖੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੋਂ ਮੈਂ ਕੱਟਿਆਂ ਗਿਆ ਹਾਂ, ਤਾਂ ਵੀ ਜਦੋਂ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਦੁਹਾਈ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਬੇਨਤੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਸੁਣੀ । 23 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਸੰਤੋ, ਉਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਰੱਖੋ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸੱਚਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਰਾਖਾ ਹੈ, ਪਰ ਹੰਕਾਰੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਪੂਰੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਬਦਲਾ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ । 24 ਹੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਆਸ ਰੱਖਣ ਵਾਲਿਓ, ਤਕੜੇ ਹੋਵੋ ਅਤੇ ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਮਨ ਦਲੇਰ ਹੋਵੇ !
1 ਧੰਨ ਹੈ ਉਹ ਜਿਸ ਦਾ ਅਪਰਾਧ ਮਾਫ਼ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ, ਜਿਸ ਦਾ ਪਾਪ ਢੱਕਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ । 2 ਧੰਨ ਹੈ ਉਹ ਆਦਮੀ ਜਿਸ ਦੀ ਬਦੀ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਲੇਖੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਲਾਉਂਦਾ, ਅਤੇ ਜਿਸ ਦੇ ਆਤਮਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਪਟ ਨਹੀਂ । 3 ਜਦੋਂ ਮੈਂ ਚੁੱਪ ਰਿਹਾ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਹੱਡੀਆਂ ਸਾਰਾ ਦਿਨ ਹੂੰਗਣ ਨਾਲ ਗਲ਼ ਗਈਆਂ, 4 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੇਰਾ ਹੱਥ ਦਿਨ ਰਾਤ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਾਰਾ ਸੀ, ਮੇਰੀ ਤਰੀ ਗਰਮੀ ਦੀ ਔੜ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਦਲ ਗਈ । ਸਲਹ । 5 ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਾਪ ਦਾ ਇਕਰਾਰ ਕੀਤਾ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਬਦੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਲੁਕਾਈ । ਮੈਂ ਆਖਿਆ ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਅਪਰਾਧਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਮੰਨ ਲਵਾਂਗਾ, ਤਾਂ ਤੂੰ ਆਪ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਾਪ ਦੀ ਬਦੀ ਨੂੰ ਚੁੱਕ ਲਿਆ । ਸਲਹ । 6 ਇਸ ਕਰਕੇ ਹਰ ਇੱਕ ਸੰਤ ਤੇਰੇ ਮਿਲ ਜਾਣ ਦੇ ਵੇਲੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾ ਕਰੇ, ਸੱਚ-ਮੁੱਚ ਜਦ ਵੱਡੇ ਪਾਣੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਹੜ੍ਹ ਆਉਣ, ਤਾਂ ਓਹ ਉਸ ਤੱਕ ਕਦੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਪਹੁੰਚਣਗੇ । 7 ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਲੁਕਣ ਦਾ ਥਾਂ ਹੈਂ, ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਤੰਗੀ ਤੋਂ ਬਚਾ ਰਖੇਂਗਾ, ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਛੁਟਕਾਰੇ ਦੇ ਗੀਤਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਘੇਰੇਂਗਾ । ਸਲਹ । 8 ਮੈਂ ਤੈਂਨੂੰ ਸਮਝ ਦੇਵਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਜਿਸ ਰਾਹ ਉੱਤੇ ਤੂੰ ਚੱਲਣਾ ਹੈ ਤੈਂਨੂੰ ਸਿਖਾਵਾਂਗਾ, ਤੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਨਿਗਾਹ ਰੱਖ ਕੇ ਤੈਂਨੂੰ ਸਲਾਹ ਦਿਆਂਗਾ । 9 ਤੁਸੀਂ ਘੋੜੇ ਅਤੇ ਖੱਚਰ ਵਰਗੇ ਨਾ ਹੋਣਾ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਬੇਸਮਝ ਹਨ, ਲਗਾਮ ਅਤੇ ਵਾਗ ਨਾਲ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕਾਬੂ ਰੱਖੀਦਾ ਹੈ, ਨਹੀਂ ਤਾਂ ਓਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਨੇੜੇ ਨਾ ਆਉਣਗੇ । 10 ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਉੱਤੇ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਬਿਪਤਾਂ ਆਉਂਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ, ਪਰ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ ਦਯਾ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਘੇਰੀਂ ਰੱਖੇਗੀ । 11 ਹੇ ਧਰਮੀਓ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਵੋ ਅਤੇ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਮਨਾਓ, ਹੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਸਿੱਧੇ ਦਿਲ ਵਾਲਿਓ, ਜੈਕਾਰਾ ਗਜਾਓ !
1 ਹੇ ਧਰਮੀਓ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਜੈ-ਜੈ ਕਾਰ ਕਰੋ, ਖਰਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰਨੀ ਫੱਬਦੀ ਹੈ । 2 ਬਰਬਤ ਵਜਾ ਕੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰੋ, ਦਸ ਤਾਰ ਦੀ ਸਿਤਾਰ ਵਜਾ ਕੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਗਾਓ । 3 ਉਸ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਇੱਕ ਨਵਾ ਗੀਤ ਗਾਓ, ਉੱਚੀ ਸੁਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਸੁਰ ਤਾਲ ਨਾਲ ਵਜਾਓ । 4 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਬਚਨ ਸੱਚ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਕੰਮ ਵਫ਼ਾਦਾਰੀ ਨਾਲ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ । 5 ਉਹ ਧਰਮ ਅਤੇ ਨਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹੈ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਨਾਲ ਧਰਤੀ ਭਰਪੂਰ ਹੈ । 6 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਨਾਲ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਬਣਾਏ ਗਏ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਸਾਰੀ ਵੱਸੋਂ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਦੇ ਸਵਾਸ ਨਾਲ 7 ਉਹ ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਦੇ ਪਾਣੀ ਨੂੰ ਢੇਰਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਇਕੱਠਿਆਂ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਡੂੰਘਿਆ ਪਾਣੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਭੰਡਾਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹੈ । 8 ਸਾਰੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਤੋਂ ਡਰੇ, ਜਗਤ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਵਸਨੀਕ ਉਸ ਦਾ ਡਰ ਮੰਨਣ, 9 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਆਖਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ, ਉਸ ਨੇ ਹੁਕਮ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਤਾਂ ਉਹ ਬਣ ਗਿਆ । 10 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਦੀ ਸਲਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਅਕਾਰਥ ਕਰਦਾ, ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਜੁਗਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਅਰਥ ਕਰ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ । 11 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਸਲਾਹ ਸਦਾ ਅਟੱਲ ਰਹਿੰਦੀ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਮਨ ਦੀਆਂ ਸੋਚਾਂ ਪੀੜੀਓ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ । 12 ਧੰਨ ਉਹ ਕੌਮ ਹੈ ਜਿਸ ਦਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਪਰਜਾ ਜਿਸ ਨੂੰ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਵਿਰਸੇ ਲਈ ਚੁਣ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ ! 13 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸਵਰਗ ਤੋਂ ਨਿਗਾਹ ਮਾਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਸਾਰੇ ਆਦਮ ਵੰਸੀਆ ਨੂੰ ਵੇਖਦਾ ਹੈ । 14 ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਵਸੇਬੇ ਤੋਂ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਵਸਨੀਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤੱਕਦਾ ਹੈ । 15 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਸਭਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਦਿਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਉਹੋ ਰਚਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹੋ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਮਝਦਾ ਹੈ । 16 ਫੌਜ ਦੇ ਵਾਧੇ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਕਿਸੇ ਰਾਜੇ ਦਾ ਬਚਾਓ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ, ਨਾ ਸੂਰਮਾ ਬਹੁਤੇ ਬਲ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਛੁੱਟ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ । 17 ਬਚਾਓ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਘੋੜਾ ਤਾਂ ਬੇਕਾਰ ਹੈ, ਨਾ ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਵੱਡੇ ਬਲ ਨਾਲ ਕਿਸੇ ਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ । 18 ਵੇਖੋ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਨਜ਼ਰ ਆਪਣੇ ਭੈ ਮੰਨਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਹੈ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਨੂੰ ਉਡੀਕਦੇ ਹਨ, 19 ਕਿ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਜਾਨ ਮੌਤ ਤੋਂ ਛੁਡਾਵੇ,ਅਤੇ ਕਾਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਜੀਉਂਦਿਆ ਰੱਖੇ । 20 ਸਾਡਾ ਮਨ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਉਡੀਕ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹੋ ਸਾਡਾ ਸਹਾਇਕ ਅਤੇ ਸਾਡੀ ਢਾਲ ਹੈ । 21 ਸਾਡਾ ਮਨ ਤਾਂ ਉਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਨੰਦ ਰਹੇਗਾ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਅਸੀਂ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਨਾਮ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ । 22 ਜਿਵੇਂ ਅਸੀਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਉਡੀਕ ਰੱਖੀ ਹੈ, ਤਿਵੇਂ ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੇਰੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਾਡੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਹੋਵੇ ।
1 ਮੈਂ ਹਰ ਵੇਲੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਆਖਾਂਗਾ,ਉਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਸਦਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ । 2 ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ ਵਡਿਆਵੇਗੀ , ਦੀਨ ਲੋਕ ਸੁਣ ਕੇ ਆਨੰਦ ਹੋਣਗੇ । 3 ਮੇਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਮਿਲ ਕੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਕਰੋ, ਰਲ ਮਿਲ ਕੇ ਅਸੀਂ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਨੂੰ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਆਖੀਏ । 4 ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਭਾਲਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਡਰ ਤੋਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾਇਆ । 5 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਵੱਲ ਤੱਕਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਚਿਹਰੇ ਉਜਲੇ ਹੋ ਗਏ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਕਦੇ ਕਾਲੇ ਨਾ ਹੋਣਗੇ । 6 ਇਸ ਮਸਕੀਨ ਨੇ ਪੁਕਾਰਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੇ ਸੁਣਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਦੁੱਖਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਬਚਾਇਆ । 7 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਦੂਤ ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਸਾਰੇ ਡਰਨ ਵਾਲਿਆ ਦੇ ਦੁਆਲੇ ਡੇਰਾ ਲਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ,ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਛੁਟਕਾਰਾ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ । 8 ਚੱਖੋ ਤੇ ਵੇਖੋ ਕਿ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਭਲਾ ਹੈ, ਧੰਨ ਹੈ ਉਹ ਪੁਰਸ਼ ਜੋ ਉਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਨਾਹ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ । 9 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਸੰਤੋ, ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਡਰੋ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਡਰਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੋਈ ਘਾਟ ਨਹੀਂ । 10 ਸ਼ੇਰ ਬੱਚਿਆ ਨੂੰ ਘਾਟਾ ਪੈਂਦਾ ਅਤੇ ਭੁੱਖ ਲਗਦੀ ਹੈ, ਪਰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਤਾਲਿਬਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕਿਸੇ ਚੰਗੀ ਵਸਤ ਦੀ ਘਾਟ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ । 11 ਬੱਚਿਓ, ਆਓ,ਮੇਰੀ ਸੁਣੋ ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਤਹਾਨੂੰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਭੈ ਮੰਨਣਾ ਸਿਖਾਵਾਂਗਾ । 12 ਉਹ ਕਿਹੜਾ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਹੈ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਜੀਵਨ ਨੂੰ ਲੋਚਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਲੰਮੀ ਉਮਰ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ ਤਾਂ ਕਿ ਭਲਿਆਈ ਵੇਖੇ ? 13 ਆਪਣੀ ਜੀਭ ਨੂੰ ਬੁਰਿਆਈ ਕਰਨ ਤੋਂ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਬੁੱਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬੁਰੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਬੋਲਣ ਤੋਂ ਰੋਕ ਰੱਖ । 14 ਬਦੀ ਤੋਂ ਹਟ ਜਾ ਅਤੇ ਨੇਕੀ ਕਰ, ਮੇਲ-ਮਿਲਾਪ ਨੂੰ ਭਾਲ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਪਿੱਛਾ ਕਰ । 15 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਅੱਖੀਆਂ ਧਰਮੀਆ ਉੱਤੇ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਕੰਨ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਦੁਹਾਈ ਵੱਲ ਲੱਗੇ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ । 16 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਕੁਕਰਮੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਹੈ, ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਯਾਦ ਧਰਤੀ ਤੋਂ ਮਿਟਾ ਸੁੱਟੇ । 17 ਧਰਮੀ ਦੁਹਾਈ ਦਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸੁਣਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਦੁੱਖਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਛੁਡਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ । 18 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਟੁੱਟੇ ਦਿੱਲ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਨੇੜੇ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਕੁਚਲਿਆਂ ਆਤਮਾਂ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਚਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ । 19 ਧਰਮੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਮੁਸੀਬਤਾਂ ਪੈਂਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ, ਪਰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਸਭਨਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ । 20 ਉਹ ਉਸ ਦੀਆਂ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਹੱਡੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਰਾਖਾ ਹੈ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਇੱਕ ਵੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਤੋੜੀ ਜਾਂਦੀ । 21 ਬੁਰਿਆਈ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮਾਰ ਸੁੱਟੇਗੀ, ਅਤੇ ਧਰਮੀ ਤੋਂ ਘਿਣ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਦੋਸ਼ੀ ਠਹਿਰਨਗੇ । 22 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਸੇਵਕਾਂ ਦੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਮੁੱਲ ਦੇ ਕੇ ਛੁਡਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਸ਼ਰਨਾਰਥੀਆਂ ਵਿਚੋ ਕੋਈ ਵੀ ਦੋਸ਼ੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਠਹਿਰੇਗਾ ।
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਜਿਹੜੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਮੁਕੱਦਮਾ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਤੂੰ ਮੁਕੱਦਮਾ ਕਰ, ਜਿਹੜੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਲੜਦੇ ਹਨ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਲੜ । 2 ਢਾਲ ਅਤੇ ਨੇਜੇ ਨੂੰ ਸਾਂਭ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਲਈ ਉੱਠ ! 3 ਬਰਛਾ ਕੱਢ ਕੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਪਿੱਛਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਰਾਹ ਬੰਦ ਕਰ, ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਆਖ, ਤੇਰਾ ਬਚਾਓ ਮੈਂ ਹੀ ਹਾਂ । 4 ਜਿਹੜੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਦੇ ਵੈਰੀ ਹਨ ਓਹ ਲੱਜਿਆਵਾਨ ਅਤੇ ਖੱਜਲ ਹੋਣ, ਜਿਹੜੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਬੁਰਿਆਈ ਸੋਚਦੇ ਹਨ ਉਹ ਪਿੱਛੇ ਹਟਾਏ ਜਾਣ ਅਤੇ ਉਲਝ ਜਾਣ ! 5 ਉਹ ਪੌਣ ਨਾਲ ਉਡਦੀ ਤੂੜੀ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਹੋਣ, ਅਤੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਦੂਤ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਧੱਕਾ ਮਾਰਦਾ ਜਾਏ । 6 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਰਾਹ ਹਨੇਰਾ ਅਤੇ ਤਿਲਕਣਾ ਹੋਵੇ, ਅਤੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਦੂਤ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਪਿੱਛਾ ਕਰੀ ਜਾਵੇ 7 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਬਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕਾਰਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਟੋਏ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਾਲ਼ ਛਿਪਾਇਆ ਹੈ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਬਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕਿਸੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਲਈ ਟੋਆ ਪੁੱਟਿਆ ਹੈ । 8 ਉਹਨਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਅਚਾਨਕ ਬਰਬਾਦੀ ਆ ਪਵੇ ! ਅਤੇ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਜਾਲ਼ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਛਿਪਾਇਆ ਉਹੋ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਫਸਾ ਲਵੇ, ਉਹ ਆਪ ਉਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਡਿੱਗ ਕੇ ਨਸ਼ਟ ਹੋ ਜਾਵੇ ! 9 ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਾਗ-ਬਾਗ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ, ਉਹ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਬਚਾਓ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਗਨ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ । 10 ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਹੱਡੀਆਂ ਆਖਣਗੀਆਂ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੇਰੇ ਸਮਾਨ ਕੌਣ ਹੈ ? ਤੂੰ ਮਸਕੀਨ ਨੂੰ ਉਸ ਨਾਲੋ ਤਕੜੇ ਤੋਂ ਛੁਡਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਹਾਂ, ਮਸਕੀਨ ਤੇ ਕੰਗਾਲ ਨੂੰ ਲੁਟੇਰੇ ਤੋਂ । 11 ਜ਼ਾਲਮ ਗਵਾਹ ਉੱਠ ਖੜੇ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਹ ਮੈਥੋ ਓਹ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਪੁਛਦੇ ਹਨ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਣਦਾ । 12 ਨੇਕੀ ਦੇ ਬਦਲੇ ਉਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਦੀ ਦਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਬੈਚੇਨ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ । 13 ਪਰ ਮੈਂ, ਜਦੋਂ ਓਹ ਬਿਮਾਰ ਸਨ, ਮੇਰਾ ਲਿਬਾਸ ਤੱਪੜ ਦਾ ਸੀ, ਮੈਂ ਵਰਤ ਰੱਖ ਕੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਦੁੱਖ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾ ਦਾ ਫਲ ਮੇਰੀ ਝੋਲੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਆ ਪਿਆ । 14 ਮੈਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਮਿੱਤਰ ਜਾਂ ਭਰਾ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਵਰਤਿਆ, ਜਿਵੇਂ ਕੋਈ ਆਪਣੀ ਮਾਤਾ ਲਈ ਵਿਰਲਾਪ ਕਰੇ ਤਿਵੇਂ ਮੈਂ ਸੋਗ ਨਾਲ ਝੁੱਕ ਗਿਆ । 15 ਪਰ ਉਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਲੰਗੜਾਉਣ ਤੋਂ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਇਕੱਠੇ ਹੋਏ ਹਾਂ, ਉਹ ਮਾਰ ਕੁੱਟਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਇਕੱਠੇ ਹੋਏ, ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਨਾ ਜਾਣਿਆ । ਓਹ ਮਾਰਦੇ ਰਹੇ ਅਤੇ ਹਟੇ ਨਹੀਂ । 16 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕਪਟੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਰੋਟੀ ਲਈ ਮਖੌਲ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਦੰਦ ਕਰੀਚੇ । 17 ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਤੂੰ ਕਦੋਂ ਤੱਕ ਵੇਖਦਾ ਰਹੇਂਗਾ ? ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਵਿਗਾੜ ਤੋਂ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਿੰਦਗੀ ਨੂੰ ਬੱਬਰ ਸ਼ੇਰਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਛੁਡਾ ! 18 ਮੈਂ ਮਹਾਸਭਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੇਰਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਬਹੁਤਿਆਂ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 19 ਜਿਹੜੇ ਬੇਵਜਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਵੈਰੀ ਹਨ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਅਨੰਦ ਨਾ ਹੋਣ ਦੇ, ਅਤੇ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਬਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕਾਰਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਦੁਸ਼ਮਣ ਹਨ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਅੱਖ ਮਟਕਾਉਣ ਨਾ ਦੇ, 20 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਓਹ ਸੁੱਖ-ਸਾਂਦ ਦੀ ਗੱਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਦੇ, ਸਗੋਂ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਦੇਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਰਾਮ ਨਾਲ ਵਸਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਉਹ ਛਲ ਦੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਬਣਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ । 21 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਖੋਲ ਕੇ ਆਖਿਆ, ਵਾਹ, ਵਾਹ ! ਸਾਡੀਆਂ ਅੱਖੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਵੇਖ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ ! 22 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੂੰ ਵੇਖ ਲਿਆ ! ਚੁੱਪ ਨਾ ਕਰ, ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਮੈਥੋਂ ਦੂਰ ਨਾ ਰਹਿ ! 23 ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਮੇਰੇ ਨਿਆਂ ਲਈ ਉੱਠ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਮੁਕਦਮੇ ਲਈ ਜਾਗ । 24 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ,ਆਪਣੇ ਧਰਮ ਦੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਮੇਰਾ ਨਿਆਂ ਕਰ,ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਅਨੰਦ ਨਾ ਹੋਣ ਦੇ ! 25 ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਇਹ ਨਾ ਕਹਿਣ, ਭਈ ਵਾਹ, ਅਸੀਂ ਇਹੋ ਚਾਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਾਂ ! ਉਹ ਇਹ ਨਾ ਆਖਣ ਭਈ ਅਸੀਂ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਨਿਗਲ ਲਿਆ ! 26 ਜਿਹੜੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਨੁਕਸਾਨ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਇਕੱਠੇ ਸ਼ਰਮਿੰਦੇ ਹੋਣ ਅਤੇ ਉਲਝ ਜਾਣ । ਜਿਹੜੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਆਪਣੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਹ ਸ਼ਰਮਿੰਦਗੀ ਅਤੇ ਅਨਾਦਰ ਦਾ ਪਹਿਰਾਵਾ ਪਹਿਨਣ । 27 ਜਿਹੜੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਧਰਮ ਤੋਂ ਪਰਸੰਨ ਹਨ ਓਹ ਜੈ-ਜੈ ਕਾਰ ਅਤੇ ਅਨੰਦ ਕਰਨ, ਉਹ ਸਦਾ ਆਖਦੇ ਜਾਣ ਜੋ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਹੋਵੇ, ਜਿਹੜਾ ਆਪਣੇ ਦਾਸ ਦੀ ਸੁੱਖ ਤੋਂ ਪਰਸੰਨ ਹੈ । 28 ਤਦ ਮੇਰੀ ਜੀਭ ਤੇਰੇ ਧਰਮ ਦੀ ਚਰਚਾ ਕਰੇਗੀ, ਦਿਨ ਭਰ ਤੇਰੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ ।
1 ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਦੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਦੇ ਅਪਰਾਧ ਦਾ ਵਾਕ,- ਉਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦਾ ਡਰ ਹੈ ਹੀ ਨਹੀਂ, 2 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਹ ਆਪਣੀਆ ਅੱਖੀਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ ਫੁਸਲਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਮੇਰੀ ਬਦੀ ਲੱਭੀ ਨਾ ਜਾਵੇਗੀ, ਨਾ ਘਿਣਾਉਣੀ ਸਮਝੀ ਜਾਵੇਗੀ । 3 ਉਹ ਦੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਬਦੀ ਅਤੇ ਛਲ ਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ, ਉਹ ਨੇ ਬੁੱਧਵਾਨ ਹੋਣ ਨੂੰ ਅਤੇ ਭਲਾ ਕਰਨ ਨੂੰ ਛੱਡਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ । 4 ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਮੰਜੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਬਦੀ ਨੂੰ ਸੋਚਦਾ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਭੈੜੇ ਰਾਹ ਉੱਤੇ ਲੱਗ ਤੁਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਬਦੀ ਤੋਂ ਘਿਣ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਦਾ । 5 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੇਰੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਵਰਗ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਵਫ਼ਾਦਾਰੀ ਬੱਦਲਾਂ ਤੱਕ ਹੈ । 6 ਤੇਰਾ ਧਰਮ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਪਰਬਤਾਂ ਸਮਾਨ ਹੈ, ਤੇਰੇ ਨਿਆਂ ਵੱਡੀ ਡੁੰਘਿਆਈ ਵਾਲੇ ਹਨ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੂੰ ਆਦਮੀ ਅਤੇ ਡੰਗਰ ਨੂੰ ਬਚਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈਂ ! 7 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ਰ, ਤੇਰੀ ਦਯਾ ਕਿੰਨੀ ਬਹੁਮੁੱਲੀ ਹੈ ! ਅਤੇ ਆਦਮੀ ਦੇ ਪੁੱਤਰ ਤੇਰੇ ਖੰਭਾਂ ਦੀ ਛਾਇਆ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਨਾਹ ਲੈਂਦੇ ਹਨ । 8 ਉਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਘਰ ਦੀ ਚਿਕਨਾਈ ਨਾਲ ਰੱਜ ਜਾਣਗੇ, ਅਤੇ ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਸੁੱਖ ਦੀ ਨਦੀ ਤੋਂ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪਿਲਾਏਂਗਾ, 9 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਜੀਵਨ ਦਾ ਚਸ਼ਮਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਕੋਲ ਹੈ, ਤੇਰੇ ਚਾਨਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਅਸੀਂ ਚਾਨਣ ਵੇਖਾਂਗੇ । 10 ਆਪਣੇ ਮੰਨਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਆਪਣੀ ਦਯਾ, ਅਤੇ ਸਿੱਧੇ ਮਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਆਪਣਾ ਧਰਮ ਵਧਾਈ ਜਾ । 11 ਘਮੰਡੀ ਦਾ ਪੈਰ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਨਾ ਪੈਣ ਦੇ । 12 ਉੱਥੇ ਬਦਕਾਰ ਡਿੱਗ ਪਏ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਹੇਠਾਂ ਧੱਕੇ ਗਏ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਫੇਰ ਨਾ ਉਠ ਸਕਣਗੇ ।
1 ਬੁਰਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਨਾ ਕੁੜ੍ਹ, ਕੁਕਰਮੀਆਂ ਵੱਲੋ ਨਾ ਸੜ । 2 ਓਹ ਤਾਂ ਘਾਹ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਛੇਤੀ ਕੁਮਲਾ ਜਾਣਗੇ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਗ ਪੱਤ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਮੁਰਝਾ ਜਾਣਗੇ । 3 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖ ਅਤੇ ਭਲਿਆਈ ਕਰ ਦੇਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੱਸ ਅਤੇ ਸਚਿਆਈ ਉੱਤੇ ਪਲ । 4 ਤੂੰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਿਹਾਲ ਰਹਿ, ਤਾਂ ਉਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਮਨੋਰਥਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪੂਰਿਆ ਕਰੇਗਾ । 5 ਆਪਣਾ ਰਾਹ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਵੱਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਰ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਪੂਰਿਆਂ ਕਰੇਗਾ । 6 ਉਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਧਰਮ ਨੂੰ ਚਾਨਣ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਦੁਪਹਿਰ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ਮਾਨ ਕਰੇਗਾ । 7 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਚੁੱਪ-ਚਾਪ ਰਹਿ ਅਤੇ ਧੀਰਜ ਨਾਲ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਉਡੀਕ ਰੱਖ, ਉਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਨਾ ਕੁੜ੍ਹ ਜਿਹ ਦਾ ਰਾਹ ਸਫ਼ਲ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ,ਅਤੇ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਜੁਗਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪੂਰਿਆਂ ਕਰਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ । 8 ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਨੂੰ ਛੱਡ ਅਤੇ ਕੋਪ ਨੂੰ ਤਿਆਗ ਦੇ, ਨਾ ਕੁੜ੍ਹ - ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਬੁਰਿਆਈ ਹੀ ਨਿੱਕਲਦੀ ਹੈ 9 ਕੁਕਰਮੀ ਤਾਂ ਕੱਢ ਦਿੱਤੇ ਜਾਣਗੇ, ਪਰ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਉਡੀਕਦੇ ਹਨ ਉਹ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਵਾਰਸ ਹੋਣਗੇ । 10 ਹੁਣ ਥੋੜਾ ਹੀ ਚਿਰ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ, ਤੂੰ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਨਿਵਾਸ ਨੂੰ ਧਿਆਨ ਨਾਲ ਵੇਖੇਂਗਾ, ਪਰ ਉਹ ਕਿਤੇ ਨਾ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ । 11 ਪਰ ਹਲੀਮ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਵਾਰਸ ਹੋਣਗੇ, ਅਤੇ ਬਹੁਤੇ ਸੁੱਖ ਕਰਕੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ ਨਿਹਾਲ ਕਰਨਗੇ । 12 ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਧਰਮੀ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਮਤਾ ਪਕਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਦੰਦ ਕਰੀਚਦਾ ਹੈ । 13 ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਹੱਸੇਗਾ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਵੇਖਦਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਉਸ ਦਾ ਦਿਨ ਆਉਂਦਾ ਪਿਆ ਹੈ । 14 ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਨੇ ਤਲਵਾਰ ਧੂਹੀ ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਧਣੁੱਖ ਖਿੱਚਿਆ ਹੈ ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਮਸਕੀਨ ਤੇ ਕੰਗਾਲ ਨੂੰ ਡੇਗ ਦੇਣ, ਅਤੇ ਸਿੱਧੇ ਚਾਲ-ਚੱਲਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਨੋਂ ਮਾਰ ਸੁੱਟਣ । 15 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਤਲਵਾਰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਹੀ ਦੇ ਦਿਲਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਧੱਸੇਗੀ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਧਣੁੱਖ ਭੰਨੇ ਜਾਣਗੇ । 16 ਧਰਮੀ ਦਾ ਥੋੜਾ ਕਈਆਂ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਦੇ ਬਹੁਤੇ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਵੀ ਚੰਗਾ ਹੈ । 17 ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਬਾਹਾਂ ਤਾਂ ਭੰਨੀਆ ਜਾਣਗੀਆਂ, ਪਰ ਧਰਮੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸੰਭਾਲਦਾ ਹੈ । 18 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਖਰੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦੇ ਦਿਨ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਅਧਿਕਾਰ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਰਹੇਗਾ । 19 ਉਹ ਬੁਰੇ ਸਮੇਂ ਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਸ਼ਰਮਿੰਦੇ ਨਾ ਹੋਣਗੇ, ਅਤੇ ਕਾਲ ਦੇ ਦਿਨਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਓਹ ਰੱਜ ਕੇ ਖਾਣਗੇ । 20 ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਨਾਸ ਹੋ ਜਾਣਗੇ, ਅਤੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਵੈਰੀ ਮੈਦਾਨ ਦੀ ਘਾਹ ਵਰਗੇ ਹੋਣਗੇ, ਉਹ ਮਿਟ ਜਾਣਗੇ ਸਗੋਂ ਧੂੰਏਂ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਮਿਟ ਜਾਣਗੇ । 21 ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਉਧਾਰ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਮੋੜਦਾ ਨਹੀਂ, ਪਰ ਧਰਮੀ ਦਯਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਅਤੇ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ । 22 ਉਹ ਦੇ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਲੋਕ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਵਾਰਸ ਹੋਣਗੇ, ਪਰ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਸਰਾਪੀ ਕੱਢ ਦਿੱਤੇ ਜਾਣਗੇ । 23 ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦੀ ਚਾਲ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਦ੍ਰਿੜ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਰਾਹ ਤੋਂ ਉਹ ਪਰਸੰਨ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ । 24 ਭਾਵੇਂ ਉਹ ਡਿੱਗ ਵੀ ਪਵੇ ਪਰ ਡਿੱਗਿਆ ਨਹੀਂ ਰਹੇਗਾ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉਸਦਾ ਹੱਥ ਸੰਭਾਲਦਾ ਹੈ । 25 ਮੈਂ ਜੁਆਨ ਸੀ ਅਤੇ ਹੁਣ ਬੁੱਢਾ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ ਹਾਂ, ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਨਾ ਧਰਮੀ ਨੂੰ ਤਿਆਗਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ, ਨਾ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਅੰਸ ਨੂੰ ਟੁਕੜੇ ਮੰਗਦਿਆਂ ਵੇਖਿਆ ਹੈ । 26 ਉਹ ਸਾਰਾ ਦਿਨ ਦਯਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਅਤੇ ਉਧਾਰ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਅੰਸ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਹੈ । 27 ਬੁਰਿਆਈ ਤੋਂ ਹਟ, ਭਲਿਆਈ ਕਰ, ਅਤੇ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਵੱਸ । 28 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਤਾਂ ਨਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਭਗਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤਿਆਗਦਾ ਨਹੀਂ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ, ਪਰ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਦੀ ਅੰਸ ਛੇਕੀ ਜਾਵੇਗੀ । 29 ਧਰਮੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਵਾਰਸ ਹੋਣਗੇ, ਅਤੇ ਸਦਾ ਉਸ ਉੱਤੇ ਵੱਸਣਗੇ । 30 ਧਰਮੀ ਦਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਬੁੱਧੀ ਬੋਲਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਰਸਨਾ ਨਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਗੱਲ ਕਰਦੀ ਹੈ । 31 ਉਹ ਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਮਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਦੇ ਪੈਰ ਕਦੀ ਨਾ ਤਿਲਕਣਗੇ । 32 ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਧਰਮੀ ਦੀ ਤਾਕ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਕਿ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਨੋਂ ਮਾਰੇ । 33 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਵੱਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਾ ਛੱਡੇਗਾ ਅਤੇ ਜਦ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਫੈਸਲਾ ਹੋ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ ਤਾਂ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਦੋਸ਼ੀ ਨਾ ਠਹਿਰਾਵੇਗਾ । 34 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਉਡੀਕ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਰਾਹ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕਰ, ਤਾਂ ਉਹ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਉੱਚਾ ਕਰੇਗਾ ਕਿ ਤੂੰ ਧਰਤੀ ਦਾ ਵਾਰਸ ਬਣੇਂ । ਤੂੰ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਦਾ ਛੇਕਿਆ ਜਾਣਾ ਵੇਖੇਂਗਾ । 35 ਮੈਂ ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਨੂੰ ਵੱਡੀ ਆਕੜ ਵਿੱਚ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਨਿਜ ਭੂਮੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਹਰੇ ਭਰੇ ਬੂਟੇ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਖਿੱਲਰਦਿਆਂ ਡਿੱਠਾ । 36 ਪਰ ਉਹ ਲੰਘ ਗਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਵੇਖੋ, ਉਹ ਹੈ ਹੀ ਨਹੀਂ, ਮੈਂ ਵੀ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਭਾਲਿਆ ਪਰ ਉਹ ਲੱਭਾ ਹੀ ਨਾ । 37 ਸੰਪੂਰਨ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਵੱਲ ਤੱਕ ਅਤੇ ਸਿੱਧੇ ਪੁਰਖ ਵੱਲ ਵੇਖ, ਕਿ ਸਲਾਮਤੀ ਦੇ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦੀ ਅੰਸ ਰਹਿੰਦੀ ਹੈ । 38 ਪਰ ਅਪਰਾਧੀ ਇਕੱਠੇ ਹੀ ਨਾਸ ਹੋ ਜਾਣਗੇ, ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਦੀ ਅੰਸ ਛੇਕੀ ਜਾਵੇਗੀ ! 39 ਪਰ ਧਰਮੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਬਚਾਓ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਦੁੱਖ ਦੇ ਸਮੇਂ ਉਹ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਗੜ੍ਹ ਹੈ, 40 ਅਤੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਕਰਦਾ, ਅਤੇ ਛੁਡਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਛੁਡਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਬਚਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਹ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਰਨ ਆਏ ਹਨ ।
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਦੱਬਕਾ ਨਾ ਦੇ, ਅਤੇ ਨਾ ਆਪਣੇ ਕਹਿਰ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਤਾੜ ! 2 ਤੇਰੇ ਤੀਰ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਆ ਖੁੱਬੇ ਹਨ, ਤੇਰਾ ਹੱਥ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਹੇਠਾਂ ਦਬਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ । 3 ਤੇਰੇ ਗੁੱਸੇ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਰੀਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੰਦਰੁਸਤੀ ਨਹੀਂ, ਅਤੇ ਨਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਾਪ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਹੱਡੀਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੁੱਖ ਹੈ, 4 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਬੁਰਿਆਈਆਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਿਰ ਦੇ ਉੱਤੋਂ ਦੀ ਲੰਘ ਗਈਆਂ, ਅਤੇ ਭਾਰੀ ਪੰਡ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਉਹ ਮੈਥੋਂ ਚੁੱਕੀਆਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਂਦੀਆਂ । 5 ਮੇਰੇ ਮੂਰਖਪੁਣੇ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਜਖ਼ਮ ਤੋਂ, ਸੜਿਆਂਧ ਆਉਂਦੀ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਪਾਕ ਵਗਦੀ ਹੈ । 6 ਮੈਂ ਦੁੱਖੀ ਅਤੇ ਬਹੁਤਾ ਕੁੱਬਾ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ ਹਾਂ, ਮੈਂ ਸਾਰਾ ਦਿਨ ਵਿਰਲਾਪ ਕਰਦਾ ਫਿਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ, 7 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੇਰਾ ਲੱਕ ਗਰਮੀ ਨਾਲ ਭਰਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਰੀਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੰਦਰੁਸਤੀ ਨਹੀਂ । 8 ਮੈਂ ਨਿਤਾਣਾ ਅਤੇ ਬਹੁਤ ਪੀਸਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਨ ਦੀ ਬੇਚੈਨੀ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਹੂੰਗਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 9 ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਮੇਰੀ ਸਾਰੀ ਇੱਛਿਆ ਤੇਰੇ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਕਰਾਹਣਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਕੋਲੋਂ ਛਿਪਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ । 10 ਮੇਰਾ ਦਿਲ ਧੜਕਦਾ ਹੈ, ਮੇਰਾ ਬਲ ਘੱਟ ਗਿਆ, ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਅੱਖੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਰੋਸ਼ਨੀ ਵੀ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਰਹੀ । 11 ਮੇਰੇ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਿੱਤਰ ਮੇਰੀ ਬਿਪਤਾ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਖ ਖੜੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਰਿਸ਼ਤੇਦਾਰ ਦੂਰ ਜਾ ਖੜ੍ਹਦੇ ਹਨ । 12 ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਦੇ ਵੈਰੀ ਫੰਦੇ ਲਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਬੁਰਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ ਓਹੋ ਵਿਗਾੜ ਦੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਰਾ ਦਿਨ ਛਲ ਦੀਆਂ ਜੁਗਤਾਂ ਸੋਚਦੇ ਹਨ । 13 ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਬੋਲੇ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਸੁਣਦਾ ਨਹੀਂ, ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਉਸ ਗੂੰਗੇ ਵਰਗਾ ਹਾਂ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਮੂੰਹੋਂ ਬੋਲਦਾ ਹੀ ਨਹੀਂ । 14 ਹਾਂ, ਮੈਂ ਉਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਵਰਗਾ ਹਾਂ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਸੁਣਦਾ ਨਹੀਂ, ਜਿਸ ਦੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਕੋਈ ਰੋਹਬ ਨਹੀਂ ਹਨ । 15 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਤਾਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਹੀ ਉਡੀਕ ਹੈ, ਤੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦੇਵੇਂਗਾ, ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ! 16 ਮੈਂ ਤਾਂ ਆਖਿਆ ਕਿ ਅਜਿਹਾ ਨਾ ਹੋਵੇ ਓਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਅਨੰਦ ਕਰਨ, ਅਤੇ ਜਿਸ ਵੇਲੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪੈਰ ਤਿਲਕਣ ਓਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਵਡਿਆਈਆਂ ਕਰਨ, 17 ਮੈਂ ਠੇਡਾ ਖਾਣ ਲੱਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਸੋਗ ਸਦਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ । 18 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੀ ਬਦੀ ਨੂੰ ਮੰਨਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਾਪ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 19 ਪਰ ਮੇਰੇ ਵੈਰੀ ਤਾਕਤ ਵਾਲੇ ਅਤੇ ਸਮਰੱਥੀ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਬਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕਾਰਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਖਾਰ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ ਉਹ ਵਧ ਗਏ ਹਨ, 20 ਨਾਲੇ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਭਲਿਆਈ ਦੇ ਬਦਲੇ ਬੁਰਿਆਈ ਦਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਹਨ ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਭਲਿਆਈ ਦੇ ਮਗਰ ਲੱਗਾ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 21 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਤਿਆਗ ਨਾ ਦੇ, ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੇਰੇ ਤੋਂ ਦੂਰ ਨਾ ਹੋ ! 22 ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਮੇਰੇ ਮੁਕਤੀਦਾਤੇ, ਮੇਰੇ ਬਚਾਓ ਲਈ ਛੇਤੀ ਕਰ !
1 ਮੈਂ ਆਖਿਆ ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਚਾਲ-ਚਲਣ ਦੀ ਚੌਕਸੀ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਕਿ ਕਿਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਜੀਭ ਨਾਲ ਪਾਪ ਨਾ ਕਰਾਂ । ਜਿੰਨਾ ਚਿਰ ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਮੇਰੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਲਗਾਮ ਆਪਣੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਰੱਖਾਂਗਾ । 2 ਮੈਂ ਚੁੱਪ ਕੀਤਾ ਗੂੰਗਾ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਭਲਿਆਈ ਤੋਂ ਵੀ ਚੁੱਪ ਵੱਟ ਛੱਡੀ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਦੁੱਖ ਵੱਧ ਪਿਆ । 3 ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਅੰਦਰੋਂ ਤਪ ਗਿਆ, ਮੇਰੇ ਸੋਚਦਿਆਂ-ਸੋਚਦਿਆਂ ਅੱਗ ਭੜਕ ਉੱਠੀ, ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੀ ਜੀਭ ਤੋਂ ਬੋਲ ਉੱਠਿਆ, 4 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਅੰਤ ਦੱਸ, ਅਤੇ ਇਹ ਵੀ ਕਿ ਮੇਰੀ ਉਮਰ ਕਿੰਨੀ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਜਾਣਾਂ ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਕਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨਿਤਾਣਾ ਹਾਂ । 5 ਵੇਖ, ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਦਿਨ ਚੱਪਾ ਭਰ ਠਹਿਰਾਏ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਉਮਰ ਤੇਰੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਕੁੱਝ ਹੈ ਹੀ ਨਹੀਂ । ਸੱਚ-ਮੁੱਚ ਹਰ ਆਦਮੀ ਭਾਵੇਂ ਸਥਿਰ ਵੀ ਹੋਵੇ, ਤਦ ਵੀ ਸਾਹ ਮਾਤਰ ਹੀ ਹੈ ! 6 ਸੱਚ-ਮੁੱਚ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਛਾਇਆ ਹੀ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਫਿਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਸੱਚ-ਮੁੱਚ ਉਹ ਵਿਅਰਥ ਰੌਲਾ ਪਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ ! ਉਹ ਮਾਇਆ ਜੋੜਦਾ ਹੈ ਪਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਕੌਣ ਸਾਂਭੇਗਾ ! 7 ਹੁਣ, ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਮੈਂ ਕਾਹਦੀ ਉਡੀਕ ਕਰਾਂ ? ਮੈਨੂੰ ਤੇਰੀ ਹੀ ਆਸ ਹੈ । 8 ਮੇਰਿਆਂ ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਅਪਰਾਧਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾ, ਮੂਰਖਾਂ ਦਾ ਉਲਾਂਭਾ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਨਾ ਠਹਿਰਾ ! 9 ਮੈਂ ਗੂੰਗਾ ਬਣ ਗਿਆ, ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਨਾ ਖੋਲਿਆ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਇਹ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ । 10 ਆਪਣੀ ਸੱਟ ਨੂੰ ਮੈਥੋਂ ਹਟਾ ਦੇ, ਤੇਰੇ ਹੱਥ ਦੀ ਮਾਰ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਂ ਭਸਮ ਹੋਇਆ ਹਾਂ । 11 ਜਦੋਂ ਤੂੰ ਬਦੀ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਗੁੱਸੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਨੂੰ ਤਾੜਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਤਦ ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਸਹੁੱਪਣ ਨੂੰ ਪਤੰਗੇ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਅਲੋਪ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਸੱਚ-ਮੁੱਚ ਹਰ ਇਨਸਾਨ ਸੁਆਸ ਹੀ ਹੈ ! ਸਲਹ । 12 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੇਰੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾਂ ਸੁਣ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਦੁਹਾਈ ਵੱਲ ਕੰਨ ਲਾ, ਮੇਰਿਆਂ ਹੰਝੂਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੇਖ ਕੇ ਚੁੱਪ ਨਾ ਕਰ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਪਰਦੇਸੀ ਹਾਂ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣਿਆਂ ਸਾਰੇ ਪਿਉ-ਦਾਦਿਆਂ ਵਰਗਾ ਮੁਸਾਫਰ ਹਾਂ । 13 ਮੇਰੇ ਤੋਂ ਅੱਖ ਫੇਰ ਲੈ ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਟਹਿਕਾਂ, ਇਸ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਚਲਾ ਜਾਂਵਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਫੇਰ ਨਾ ਹੋਵਾਂ ।
1 ਮੈਂ ਦਲੇਰੀ ਕਰਕੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਉਡੀਕਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਵੱਲ ਝੁੱਕ ਕੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਦੁਹਾਈ ਸੁਣ ਲਈ । 2 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਭਿਆਨਕ ਟੋਏ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਸਗੋਂ ਚਿੱਕੜ ਦੀ ਖੁੱਭਣ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਕੱਢ ਲਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪੈਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਚੱਟਾਨ ਉੱਤੇ ਰੱਖ ਕੇ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਚਾਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦ੍ਰਿੜ ਕੀਤਾ । 3 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਇੱਕ ਨਵਾਂ ਗੀਤ ਮੇਰੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਾਇਆ, ਅਰਥਾਤ ਸਾਡੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਦਾ । ਬਹੁਤੇ ਵੇਖਣਗੇ ਅਤੇ ਡਰ ਜਾਣਗੇ, ਅਤੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖਣਗੇ । 4 ਧੰਨ ਹੈ ਉਹ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਸਰਾ ਬਣਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਹੰਕਾਰੀਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਝੂਠੇ ਕੁਰਾਹੀਆਂ ਵੱਲ ਮੂੰਹ ਹੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਦਾ । 5 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਤੇਰੇ ਅਚਰਜ ਕੰਮ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਤੂੰ ਕੀਤੇ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਉਪਰਾਲੇ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਸਾਡੇ ਲਈ ਹਨ, ਤੇਰਾ ਸਾਂਝੀ ਕੋਈ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ ! ਜੇ ਮੈਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਖੋਲ ਕੇ ਦੱਸਾਂ, ਤਾਂ ਓਹ ਲੇਖਿਓਂ ਬਾਹਰ ਹਨ । 6 ਬਲੀਦਾਨ ਅਤੇ ਭੇਟ ਤੋਂ ਤੂੰ ਪਰਸੰਨ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ, ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਕੰਨ ਖੋਲੇ ਹਨ, ਹੋਮ ਬਲੀ ਅਤੇ ਪਾਪ ਬਲੀ ਤੂੰ ਨਹੀਂ ਮੰਗੀਆਂ । 7 ਤਦ ਮੈਂ ਆਖਿਆ, ਵੇਖ, ਮੈਂ ਆਇਆ ਹਾਂ ! ਪੁਸਤਕ ਦੀ ਪੱਤਰੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ 8 ਕਿ ਤੇਰੀ ਇੱਛਿਆ ਨੂੰ ਪੂਰਿਆਂ ਕਰਨ ਵਿੱਚ, ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੈਂ ਪਰਸੰਨ ਹਾਂ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਹਿਰਦੇ ਦੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਹੈ । 9 ਮੈਂ ਮਹਾਸਭਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਧਰਮ ਦੀ ਖੁਸ਼ਖਬਰੀ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਚਾਰ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ, ਵੇਖ, ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਬੁੱਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਨਹੀਂ ਰੋਕਾਂਗਾ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੂੰ ਇਹ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਹੈਂ । 10 ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਧਰਮ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਛੱਡਿਆ, ਮੈਂ ਸਗੋਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਵਫ਼ਾਦਾਰੀ ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਮੁਕਤੀ ਦਾ ਚਰਚਾ ਕੀਤਾ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਦਯਾ ਅਤੇ ਸਚਿਆਈ ਮਹਾਸਭਾ ਤੋਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਛਿਪਾਈ । 11 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਰਹਮ ਮੇਰੇ ਤੋਂ ਨਾ ਰੋਕ, ਤੇਰੀ ਦਯਾ ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰਾ ਸੱਚ ਹਰ ਵੇਲੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਕਰਨ,
12 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਅਣਗਿਣਤ ਬੁਰਿਆਈਆਂ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਦੁਆਲੇ ਘੇਰਾ ਪਾ ਲਿਆ, ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਬਦੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਆ ਫੜਿਆ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਨਿਗਾਹ ਨਹੀਂ ਉਠਾ ਸਕਦਾ । ਓਹ ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਿਰ ਦੇ ਵਾਲਾਂ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਵੱਧ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਦਿਲ ਕਮਜ਼ੋਰ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ । 13 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਕੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਛੁਟਕਾਰੇ ਦੇ ਲਈ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੇਰੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਲਈ ਛੇਤੀ ਕਰ ! 14 ਜਿਹੜੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਮਾਰਨ ਲਈ ਭਾਲਦੇ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਸਾਰੇ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਲੱਜਿਆਵਾਨ ਹੋਣ ਅਤੇ ਘਾਬਰ ਜਾਣ ! ਜਿਹੜੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਬੁਰਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਪਿਛਾਂਹ ਹਟਾਏ ਜਾਣ ਅਤੇ ਸ਼ਰਮਿੰਦੇ ਹੋਣ । 15 ਜੋ ਮੈਨੂੰ "ਆਹਾ, ਆਹਾ !" ਆਖਦੇ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਆਪਣੀ ਲਾਜ ਦੇ ਮਾਰੇ ਉੱਜੜ ਜਾਣ ! 16 ਜਿੰਨੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਖੋਜੀ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਖੁਸ਼ ਤੇ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਣ, ਅਤੇ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਮੁਕਤੀ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰੇਮੀ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਸਦਾ ਆਖਣ, "ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਹੋਵੇ !" 17 ਮੈਂ ਤਾਂ ਮਸਕੀਨ ਤੇ ਕੰਗਾਲ ਹਾਂ, ਤਾਂ ਵੀ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੇਰੀ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ । ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਹਾਇਕ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਛੁਡਾਉਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈਂ, ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਢਿੱਲ ਨਾ ਲਾ !
1 ਧੰਨ ਹੈ ਉਹ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਗਰੀਬ ਦੀ ਸੁੱਧ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਬੁਰਿਆਈ ਦੇ ਵੇਲੇ ਛੁਡਾਵੇਗਾ । 2 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕਰੇਗਾ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਜਿਉਂਦਿਆਂ ਰੱਖੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਧੰਨ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ । ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਇੱਛਿਆ ਉੱਤੇ ਨਾ ਛੱਡੇਂਗਾ । 3 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਬਿਮਾਰੀ ਦੇ ਬਿਸਤਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਸੰਭਾਲੇਗਾ । ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਬਿਮਾਰੀ ਦੇ ਵੇਲੇ ਉਹਦਾ ਸਾਰਾ ਬਿਸਤਰਾ ਉਲਟਾ ਕੇ ਵਿਛਾਵੇਂਗਾ । 4 ਮੈ ਆਖਿਆ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੇਰੇ ਉਤੇ ਦਯਾ ਕਰ, ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਚੰਗਿਆਂ ਕਰ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰਾ ਪਾਪ ਜੋ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ । 5 ਮੇਰੇ ਵੈਰੀ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਬੁਰਾ ਕਹਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਕਿ ਉਹ ਕਦੋਂ ਮਰੇਗਾ ਅਤੇ ਉਹਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਕਦੋਂ ਮਿਟੇਗਾ ? 6 ਅਤੇ ਜਦ ਕਦੇ ਉਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਵੇਖਣ ਨੂੰ ਆਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਉਹ ਐਵੇਂ ਗੱਪਾਂ ਮਾਰਦਾ ਹੈ । ਉਸਦਾ ਮਨ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਬਦੀ ਨਾਲ ਬਦੀ ਜੋੜਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਫੇਰ ਉਹ ਬਾਹਰ ਜਾ ਕੇ ਦੱਸਦਾ ਫਿਰਦਾ ਹੈ । 7 ਮੇਰੇ ਸਭ ਵੈਰ ਰੱਖਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਮਿਲ ਕੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਚੁਗਲੀ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ,ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਉਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਰਜ ਦਾ ਉਪਾਓ ਲੱਭਦੇ ਹਨ । 8 ਉਹ ਬੋਲਦੇ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਕੋਈ ਬੁਰਾ ਰੋਗ ਲੱਗਾ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ, ਹੁਣ ਉਹ ਡਿੱਗਿਆ ਜੋ ਹੈ ਸੋ ਮੁੜ ਉੱਠੇਗਾ ਨਹੀਂ । 9 ਸਗੋਂ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਾਥੀ ਜਿਸ ਦੇ ਉੱਤੋ ਮੇਰਾ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਸੀ, ਅਤੇ ਜਿਸ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਰੋਟੀ ਖਾਧੀ,ਉਸ ਨੇ ਵੀ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਲੱਤ ਚੁੱਕੀ ਹੈ । 10 ਪਰ ਤੂੰ ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਦਯਾ ਕਰਕੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਖੜ੍ਹਾ ਕਰ, ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕੋਲੋਂ ਬਦਲਾ ਲਵਾਂ । 11 ਇਸ ਤੋਂ ਮੈਂ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਕਿ ਤੂੰ ਮੈਥੋਂ ਪਰਸੰਨ ਹੈਂ, ਜੋ ਮੇਰਾ ਵੈਰੀ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਜੈ ਕਾਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਗਜਾਉਂਦਾ । 12 ਪਰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮੇਰੀ ਸਿਧਿਆਈ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੂੰ ਸੰਭਾਲਦਾ ਹੈਂ,ਅਤੇ ਸਦਾ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਨਮੁੱਖ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹੈਂ । 13 ਆਦ ਤੋਂ ਅੰਤ ਤੱਕ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਦਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਹੋਵੇ, ਆਮੀਨ, ਫਿਰ ਆਮੀਨ ।
1 ਜਿਵੇਂ ਹਰਨੀ ਪਾਣੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਨਦੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਤਰਸਦੀ ਹੈ, ਤਿਵੇਂ ਹੀ ਮੇਰਾ ਜੀਅ, ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਤੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਤਰਸਦਾ ਹੈ । 2 ਮੇਰਾ ਜੀਅ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਲਈ, ਜਿਉਂਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਤਿਹਾਇਆ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਕਦੋਂ ਜਾਂਵਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਸਨਮੁੱਖ ਹਾਜ਼ਰ ਹੋਵਾਂ ? 3 ਮੇਰਾ ਭੋਜਨ ਦਿਨੇ ਰਾਤ ਮੇਰੇ ਹੰਝੂ ਹਨ, ਜਦੋਂ ਓਹ ਸਾਰਾ ਦਿਨ ਇਹ ਆਖਦੇ ਹਨ, ਤੇਰਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੈ ਕਿੱਥੇ ? 4 ਇਹ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਚੇਤੇ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨ ਭਰ ਆਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਕਿਸ ਤਰਾਂ ਭੀੜ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਲੰਘਦਾ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਸੀ, ਅਤੇ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੀ ਭੀੜ ਨਾਲ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਘਰ ਵਿੱਚ, ਜੈ-ਜੈ ਕਾਰ ਤੇ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਨਾਲ ਲੈ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਸੀ । 5 ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ, ਤੂੰ ਕਿਉਂ ਝੁਕਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈਂ ? ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਿਉਂ ਪਰੇਸ਼ਾਨ ਹੈਂ ? ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਆਸ ਰੱਖ ਮੈਂ ਤਾਂ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਨਾਲ ਮੁਕਤੀ ਪਾ ਕੇ ਫੇਰ ਉਸ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 6 ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੇਰਾ ਜੀਅ ਮੇਰੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਝੁਕਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਕਾਰਨ ਮੈਂ ਯਰਦਨ ਅਤੇ ਹਰਮੋਨ ਦੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਤੋਂ ਅਤੇ ਮਿਸਾਰ ਦੇ ਪਰਬਤ ਤੋਂ ਤੇਰਾ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 7 ਤੇਰੇ ਪਾਣੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਧਾਰਾਂ ਦੀ ਆਵਾਜ਼ ਸੁਣ ਕੇ ਡੁੰਘਿਆਈ-ਡੁੰਘਿਆਈ ਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰਦੀ ਹੈ, ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਠਾਠਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਲਹਿਰਾਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਿਰ ਦੇ ਉੱਤੋ ਦੀ ਲੰਘ ਗਈਆਂ । 8 ਦਿਨ ਨੂੰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਆਪਣੀ ਦਯਾ ਦੀ ਆਗਿਆ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਰਾਤ ਨੂੰ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਗੀਤ ਮੇਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ । ਉਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਜੀਵਨ ਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਅੱਗੇ ਇੱਕ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ । 9 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੂੰ ਜੋ ਮੇਰੀ ਚੱਟਾਨ ਹੈ ਮੈ ਆਖਾਂਗਾ, ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਕਿਉਂ ਭੁੱਲ ਗਿਆ ਹੈਂ ? ਮੈ ਕਿਉਂ ਵੈਰੀ ਦੇ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰ ਦੇ ਮਾਰੇ ਵਿਰਲਾਪ ਕਰਦਾ ਫਿਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ ? 10 ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉਲਾਂਭਾ ਦਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਜਾਣੋ, ਇਹ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਹੱਡੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਚੂਰ-ਚੂਰ ਹੋਣਾ ਹੈਂ,ਜਦੋਂ ਓਹ ਦਿਨ ਭਰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਕਹੀ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਕਿੱਥੇ ਹੈ ਤੇਰਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ? 11 ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਜੀਅ,ਤੂੰ ਕਿਉਂ ਝੁਕਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈਂ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਿਉਂ ਪਰੇਸ਼ਾਨ ਹੈਂ ? ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਆਸ ਰੱਖ ! ਮੈਂ ਤਾਂ ਉਸ ਦਾ ਫੇਰ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਜਿਹੜਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਮੁਖੜੇ ਦਾ ਬਚਾਓ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੈ ।
1 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੇਰਾ ਨਿਆਂ ਕਰ, ਅਤੇ ਇੱਕ ਨਿਰਦਈ ਕੌਮ ਨਾਲ ਮੇਰਾ ਮੁਕੱਦਮਾ ਲੜ, ਕਪਟੀ ਤੇ ਭੈੜੇ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਤੋਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾ ! 2 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੇਰੀ ਪਨਾਹ ਦਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਹੈਂ, ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਕਿਉਂ ਤਿਆਗ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈਂ ? ਮੈ ਕਿਉਂ ਵੈਰੀ ਦੇ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰ ਦੇ ਮਾਰੇ ਵਿਰਲਾਪ ਕਰਦਾ ਫਿਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ ? 3 ਆਪਣੇ ਚਾਨਣ ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਸਚਿਆਈ ਨੂੰ ਭੇਜ ਕਿ ਓਹ ਮੇਰੀ ਅਗਵਾਈ ਕਰਨ, ਅਤੇ ਓਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਤੇਰੇ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਪਹਾੜ ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰਿਆਂ ਡੇਰਿਆਂ ਕੋਲ ਪਹੁੰਚਾਉਣ । 4 ਤਦ ਮੈਂ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੀ ਜਗਵੇਦੀ ਕੋਲ ਜਾਂਵਾਂਗਾ, ਉਸ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਕੋਲ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਮੇਰੀ ਅੱਤ ਵੱਡੀ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਹੈਂ, ਅਤੇ ਬਰਬਤ ਵਜਾ ਕੇ ਤੇਰਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ! 5 ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਜੀਅ, ਤੂੰ ਕਿਉਂ ਝੁਕਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈਂ ? ਅਤੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਹੀ ਅੰਦਰ ਕਿਉਂ ਪਰੇਸ਼ਾਨ ਹੈਂ ? ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਆਸ ਰੱਖ ! ਮੈਂ ਤਾਂ ਫੇਰ ਉਸ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਜਿਹੜਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਮੁਖੜੇ ਦਾ ਬਚਾਓ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੈਂ ।
1 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਅਸੀਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਕੰਨੀ ਸੁਣਿਆ, ਸਾਡੇ ਪਿਉ-ਦਾਦਿਆਂ ਨੇ ਸਾਡੇ ਲਈ ਵਰਣਨ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ, ਕਿ ਤੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਦਿਨਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਅਤੇ ਪ੍ਰਾਚੀਨ ਸਮਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਕੀ ਕੰਮ ਕੀਤਾ । 2 ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਹੱਥ ਨਾਲ ਪਰਾਈਆਂ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪੁੱਟ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਪਰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਲਾਇਆ । ਤੂੰ ਉੱਮਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦੁੱਖ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਪਰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਫੈਲਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ । 3 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਤਲਵਾਰ ਨਾਲ ਉਸ ਧਰਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਰਾਸਤ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਹੀਂ ਲਿਆ, ਨਾ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਬਾਂਹ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਚਾਇਆ, ਸਗੋਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਸੱਜੇ ਹੱਥ ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਾਂਹ ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਮੁਖ ਦੇ ਚਾਨਣ ਨੇ ਇਹ ਕੀਤਾ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਪੱਖ ਕੀਤਾ । 4 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਮੇਰਾ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਹੈਂ, ਯਾਕੂਬ ਲਈ ਜਿੱਤਾਂ ਦਾ ਹੁਕਮ ਕਰ ! 5 ਤੇਰੇ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਅਸੀਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਹੇਠਾਂ ਧੱਕਾਂਗੇ, ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਤੋਂ ਅਸੀਂ ਆਪਣਿਆਂ ਦੁਸ਼ਮਣਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮਿੱਧਾਂਗੇ, 6 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਧਣੁੱਖ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਨਾ ਰੱਖਾਂਗਾ, ਨਾ ਮੇਰੀ ਤਲਵਾਰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਚਾਵੇਗੀ, 7 ਪਰ ਤੂੰ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਸਾਡਿਆਂ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਬਚਾਇਆ ਹੈ, ਤੂੰ ਸਾਡਿਆਂ ਈਰਖਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਨੂੰ ਸ਼ਰਮਿੰਦੇ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ । 8 ਸਾਰੇ ਦਿਨ ਅਸੀਂ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਗਨ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਾਂ, ਅਤੇ ਅਸੀਂ ਸਦਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਾਂਗੇ । ਸਲਹ । 9 ਪਰ ਤੂੰ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਤਿਆਗਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਬੇਪਤ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਡੀਆਂ ਸੈਨਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਚੱਲਦਾ । 10 ਤੂੰ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਸਾਹਮਣਿਓਂ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਪਿਛਾਂਹ ਹਟਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਡੇ ਈਰਖਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਲਈ ਲੁੱਟ ਮਾਰ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ । 11 ਤੂੰ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਖਾਧੀਆਂ ਜਾਣ ਵਾਲੀਆਂ ਭੇਡਾਂ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਬਣਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਪਰਾਈਆਂ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੂੰ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਖਿੰਡਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ । 12 ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਨੂੰ ਮੁਖਤ ਵੇਚਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਪਰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਮੁੱਲ ਤੋਂ ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਧਨ ਨਹੀਂ ਵਧਾਇਆ ਹੈ । 13 ਤੂੰ ਸਾਡੇ ਗੁਆਂਢੀਆਂ ਲਈ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਨਿੰਦਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਆਲੇ-ਦੁਆਲੇ ਰਹਿਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਲਈ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਠੱਠਾ ਅਤੇ ਹਾਸੀ ਬਣਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈਂ । 14 ਤੂੰ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਕਹਾਉਤ ਬਣਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਅਤੇ ਉੱਮਤਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਿਰ ਹਿਲਾਉਣ ਦਾ ਕਾਰਨ । 15 ਸਾਰੇ ਦਿਨ ਮੇਰੀ ਲਾਜ ਮੇਰੀ ਪਰਤੱਖ਼ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਦੀ ਨਮੋਸ਼ੀ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਢੱਕ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ, 16 ਤਰਾਣ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਅਤੇ ਕੁਫ਼ਰ ਬਕਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ, ਅਤੇ ਵੈਰੀ ਤੇ ਵੱਟਾ ਲੈਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ । 17 ਇਹ ਸੱਭੋ ਕੁੱਝ ਸਾਡੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਬੀਤਿਆ ਹੈ, ਪਰ ਅਸੀਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਨਹੀਂ ਵਿਸਾਰਿਆ, ਨਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਨੇਮ ਵਿੱਚ ਬੇਈਮਾਨੀ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੈ । 18 ਸਾਡਾ ਮਨ ਪਿਛਾਂਹ ਨਹੀਂ ਹਟਿਆ, ਨਾ ਸਾਡੇ ਪੈਰ ਤੇਰੇ ਮਾਰਗ ਤੋਂ ਮੁੜੇ, 19 ਭਾਵੇਂ ਤੂੰ ਗਿੱਦੜਾਂ ਦੇ ਥਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਕੁਚਲਿਆ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਮੌਤ ਦੀ ਛਾਇਆ ਹੇਠ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਢੱਕ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ । 20 ਜੇ ਅਸੀਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਸਾਰਿਆ ਹੈ, ਅਥਵਾ ਓਪਰੇ ਦੇਵਤੇ ਵੱਲ ਆਪਣੇ ਹੱਥ ਅੱਡੇ ਹਨ, 21 ਤਾਂ ਭਲਾ, ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਇਸ ਗੱਲ ਦਾ ਖੋਜ ਨਾ ਕਰੇਗਾ ? ਉਹ ਤਾਂ ਮਨ ਦੀਆਂ ਗੁਪਤ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਹੈ ! 22 ਹਾਂ, ਅਸੀਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਦਿਨ ਭਰ ਜਾਨੋਂ ਮਾਰੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਾਂ, ਅਸੀਂ ਕੋਹੀਆਂ ਜਾਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਭੇਡਾਂ ਦੇ ਤੁੱਲ ਗਿਣੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਾਂ ! । 23 ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਜਾਗ ! ਤੂੰ ਕਾਹਨੂੰ ਸੁੱਤਾ ਹੈਂ ? ਜਾਗ ਉੱਠ ! ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਤਿਆਗ ਨਾ ਦੇ । 24 ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਕਾਹਨੂੰ ਲੁਕਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਡੇ ਦੁੱਖ ਅਤੇ ਦਬਾਓ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਸਾਰਦਾ ਹੈਂ ? 25 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਸਾਡੀ ਜਾਨ ਖਾਕ ਤੱਕ ਝੁੱਕ ਗਈ ਹੈ, ਸਾਡਾ ਢਿੱਡ ਭੋਂ ਨਾਲ ਲੱਗ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ ! 26 ਉੱਠ, ਸਾਡੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਕਰ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਦਯਾ ਦੇ ਨਮਿੱਤ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਛੁਟਕਾਰਾ ਦੇ ! ।
1 ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨ ਇੱਕ ਚੰਗੀ ਗੱਲ ਨਾਲ ਉੱਛਲ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ, ਜੋ ਕੁੱਝ ਮੈਂ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਦੇ ਵਿਖੇ ਰਚਿਆ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਮੈਂ ਸੁਣਾਉਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਮੇਰੀ ਜੀਭ ਮਾਹਿਰ ਲਿਖਾਰੀ ਦੀ ਲੇਖਣੀ ਹੈ । 2 ਤੂੰ ਆਦਮੀ ਦੇ ਪੁੱਤਰਾਂ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਸੁੰਦਰ ਹੈਂ, ਤੇਰਿਆਂ ਬੁੱਲਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਦਯਾ ਭਰੀ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੇ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਸਦਾ ਲਈ ਬਰਕਤ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਹੈ । 3 ਓਏ ਸੂਰਮਿਆਂ ! ਆਪਣੀ ਤਲਵਾਰ ਲੱਕ ਨਾਲ ਬੰਨ੍ਹ, ਉਹ ਤੇਰਾ ਤੇਜ ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਹੈ । 4 ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਨਾਲ ਸਚਿਆਈ, ਕੋਮਲਤਾਈ ਅਤੇ ਧਰਮ ਦੇ ਨਮਿੱਤ ਸਵਾਰ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਸਫ਼ਲ ਹੋ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰਾ ਸੱਜਾ ਹੱਥ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਭਿਆਨਕ ਕਾਰਜ ਸਿਖਲਾਵੇਗਾ ! 5 ਤੇਰੇ ਤੀਰ ਤਿੱਖੇ ਹਨ, ਕੌਮਾਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਡਿੱਗਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ, ਉਹ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਦੇ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਦਿਲਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਹਨ । 6 ਤੇਰਾ ਸਿੰਘਾਸਣ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਹੈ, ਤੇਰੇ ਰਾਜ ਦਾ ਆੱਸਾ ਸਿਧਿਆਈ ਦਾ ਆੱਸਾ ਹੈ ! 7 ਤੂੰ ਧਰਮ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ, ਬਦੀ ਨਾਲ ਵੈਰ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਤੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੇ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਦੇ ਤੇਲ ਨਾਲ, ਤੇਰੇ ਸਾਥੀਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਧ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਮਸਹ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ । 8 ਤੇਰੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਬਸਤਰ ਤੋਂ ਮੁਰ, ਅਗਰ ਅਤੇ ਤੇਜ ਪੱਤਰ ਦੀ ਖੁਸ਼ਬੂ ਆਉਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਹਾਥੀ ਦੰਦ ਦੇ ਮਹਿਲਾਂ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਤਾਰ ਵਾਲੇ ਵਾਜਿਆਂ ਨੇ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਅਨੰਦ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ । 9 ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਪਤਵੰਤ ਇਸਤਰੀਆਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਰਾਜਕੁਮਾਰੀਆਂ ਵੀ ਹਨ, ਰਾਣੀ ਤੇਰੇ ਸੱਜੇ ਹੱਥ ਉੱਤੇ ਓਫੀਰ ਦੇ ਕੁੰਦਨ ਸੋਨੇ ਨਾਲ ਸ਼ਿੰਗਾਰ ਲਾ ਕੇ ਖੜ੍ਹੀ ਹੈ । 10 ਧੀਏ, ਸੁਣ ਅਤੇ ਵੇਖ ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਕੰਨ ਲਾ, ਆਪਣੇ ਲੋਕ ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਿਤਾ ਦੇ ਘਰ ਨੂੰ ਭੁੱਲ ਜਾਵੀਂ ! 11 ਤਦ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਸੁਹੱਪਣ ਤੋਂ ਮੋਹਿਤ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਹ ਤੇਰਾ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਹੈ ਸੋ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਮੱਥਾ ਟੇਕ । 12 ਅਤੇ ਸੂਰ ਦੇਸ ਦੀ ਧੀ ਭੇਟ ਨਾਲ ਹਾਜ਼ਰ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ, ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦੇ ਧਨਵਾਨ ਤੇਰੀ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਕਰਨਗੇ । 13 ਰਾਜਕੁਮਾਰੀ ਮਹਿਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਹੁਤ ਤੇਜਵੰਤ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਦਾ ਲਿਬਾਸ ਸੁਨਹਿਰੀ ਕਸੀਦੇ ਦਾ ਹੈ । 14 ਬੂਟੇ ਕੱਢੇ ਹੋਏ ਪਹਿਰਾਵੇ ਪਹਿਨੀ ਉਹ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਕੋਲ ਪਹੁੰਚਾਈ ਜਾਵੇਗੀ, ਉਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਕੁਆਰੀਆਂ ਸਹੇਲੀਆਂ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਪਿੱਛੇ-ਪਿੱਛੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਕੋਲ ਲਿਆਈਆਂ ਜਾਣਗੀਆਂ । 15 ਓਹ ਅਨੰਦ ਅਤੇ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਨਾਲ ਪਹੁੰਚਾਈਆਂ ਜਾਣਗੀਆਂ, ਓਹ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਦੇ ਮਹਿਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੜਨਗੀਆਂ । 16 ਤੇਰ ਪਿੱਤਰਾਂ ਦੇ ਥਾਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਪੁੱਤਰ ਹੋਣਗੇ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤੂੰ ਸਾਰੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਸਰਦਾਰ ਬਣਾਵੇਂਗਾ । 17 ਮੈਂ ਪੀੜੀਓ ਪੀੜੀ ਤੇਰਾ ਨਾਮ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਕਰਾਵਾਂਗਾ, ਇਸ ਲਈ ਲੋਕ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਤੇਰਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਨਗੇ ।
1 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਸਾਡੀ ਪਨਾਹ ਅਤੇ ਸਾਡਾ ਬਲ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਦੁੱਖਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੱਡਾ ਸਹਾਇਕ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ, 2 ਇਸ ਕਰਕੇ ਅਸੀਂ ਨਾ ਡਰਾਂਗੇ ਭਾਵੇਂ ਧਰਤੀ ਉਲਟ ਜਾਵੇ, ਅਤੇ ਪਹਾੜ ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੀ ਸੁੱਟੇ ਜਾਣ, 3 ਭਾਵੇਂ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਪਾਣੀ ਗਰਜਣ ਅਤੇ ਝੱਗ ਛੱਡਣ, ਅਤੇ ਪਹਾੜ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਵਧਣ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਥਰ ਥਰਾਉਣ । ਸਲਹ । 4 ਇੱਕ ਨਦੀ ਹੈ ਜਿਸ ਦੀਆਂ ਧਾਰਾਂ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਨਗਰ ਨੂੰ, ਅੱਤ ਮਹਾਨ ਦੇ ਡੇਰਿਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਅਤੇ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਸਥਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਅਨੰਦਿਤ ਕਰਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ । 5 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਨਾ ਡੋਲੇਗਾ, ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵੇਲੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਕਰੇਗਾ । 6 ਕੌਮਾਂ ਨੇ ਹੁਲੜ ਮਚਾਇਆ, ਰਾਜ ਡੋਲ ਗਏ, ਉਸ ਨੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਸੁਣਾਇਆ ਅਤੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਪੰਘਰ ਗਈ । 7 ਸੈਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸਾਡੇ ਅੰਗ-ਸੰਗ ਹੈ, ਯਾਕੂਬ ਦਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਸਾਡਾ ਉੱਚਾ ਗੜ੍ਹ ਹੈ । ਸਲਹ । 8 ਆਓ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੇਖੋ, ਜਿਸ ਨੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਤਬਾਹੀਆਂ ਮਚਾਈਆਂ ਹਨ । 9 ਉਹ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਬੰਨਿਆਂ ਤੱਕ ਲੜਾਈਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੁਕਾ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਧਣੁੱਖ ਨੂੰ ਭੰਨ ਸੁੱਟਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਬਰਛੀ ਦੇ ਟੋਟੇ-ਟੋਟੇ ਕਰ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਰਥਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਅੱਗ ਨਾਲ ਸਾੜ ਸੁੱਟਦਾ ਹੈ ! 10 ਥਮ੍ਹ ਜਾਓ ਅਤੇ ਜਾਣ ਲਓ ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਹੀ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹਾਂ, ਮੈਂ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਵਡਿਆਇਆ ਜਾਂਵਾਂਗਾ, ਮੈਂ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਵਡਿਆਇਆ ਜਾਂਵਾਂਗਾ ! 11 ਸੈਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸਾਡੇ ਅੰਗ-ਸੰਗ ਹੈ, ਯਾਕੂਬ ਦਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਸਾਡਾ ਉੱਚਾ ਗੜ੍ਹ ਹੈ । ਸਲਹ ।
1 ਹੇ ਸਭ ਲੋਕੋ, ਤਾਲੀਆਂ ਵਜਾਓ, ਜੈ-ਜੈ ਕਾਰ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਨਾਲ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਲਈ ਲਲਕਾਰੋ, 2 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਅੱਤ ਮਹਾਨ ਤੇ ਭਿਆਣਕ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਸਾਰੇ ਜਗਤ ਦਾ ਮਹਾਰਾਜਾ ਹੈ ! 3 ਉਹ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਾਡੇ ਹੇਠਾਂ ਦਬਾ ਦਿੰਦਾ, ਅਤੇ ਉੱਮਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਾਡੇ ਪੈਰਾਂ ਹੇਠ ਕਰ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ । 4 ਉਹ ਸਾਡੇ ਲਈ ਸਾਡੇ ਅਧਿਕਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਚੁਣਦਾ ਹੈ, ਆਪਣੇ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਯਾਕੂਬ ਦੀ ਉੱਤਮਤਾਈ ਨੂੰ । ਸਲਹ । 5 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਲਲਕਾਰ ਨਾਲ ਉੱਪਰ ਚੜ੍ਹ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨਰਸਿੰਗੇ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਨਾਲ । 6 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦਾ ਭਜਨ ਗਾਓ, ਅਰਾਧਨਾ ਕਰੋ, ਸਾਡੇ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਦੇ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਓ, ਗੁਣ ਗਾਓ ! 7 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਸਾਰੇ ਜਗਤ ਦਾ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਜੋ ਹੈ, ਸੁਰ ਤਾਲ ਨਾਲ ਅਰਾਧਨਾ ਕਰੋ ! 8 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਪਰਾਈਆਂ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਰਾਜ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਸਿੰਘਾਸਣ ਉੱਤੇ ਬੈਠਾ ਹੈ । 9 ਕੌਮਾਂ ਦੇ ਪਤਵੰਤ ਇਕੱਠੇ ਹੋਏ ਹਨ, ਕਿ ਉਹ ਅਬਰਾਹਾਮ ਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਹੋਣ । ਧਰਤੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਢਾਲਾਂ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ, ਉਹ ਅੱਤ ਮਹਾਨ ਹੈ !
1 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮਹਾਨ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਅੱਤ ਉਸਤਤ ਦੇ ਜੋਗ ਹੈ, ਸਾਡੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਨਗਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਪਹਾੜ ਉੱਤੇ ! 2 ਉੱਚਿਆਈ ਕਰਕੇ ਸੁੰਦਰ, ਸਾਰੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੀ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ, ਸੀਯੋਨ ਪਰਬਤ ਹੈ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਉੱਤਰ ਦੀ ਵੱਲ ਮਹਾਰਾਜਾ ਦਾ ਸ਼ਹਿਰ ਹੈ । 3 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਮਹਿਲਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਇੱਕ ਉੱਚਾ ਗੜ੍ਹ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ ਪਰਗਟ ਕੀਤਾ । 4 ਤਾਂ ਵੇਖੋ, ਰਾਜੇ ਇਕੱਠੇ ਹੋ ਗਏ, ਓਹ ਮਿਲ ਕੇ ਲੰਘ ਗਏ । 5 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਡਿੱਠਾ, ਫੇਰ ਦੰਗ ਰਹਿ ਗਏ, ਵਿਆਕੁਲ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਉਹ ਉੱਠ ਭੱਜੇ ! 6 ਉੱਥੇ ਕੰਬਣੀ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਫੜ ਲਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਜੱਚਾ ਵਾਲੀਆਂ ਪੀੜਾਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਲੱਗੀਆਂ । 7 ਤੂੰ ਪੁਰੇ ਦੀ ਹਵਾ ਨਾਲ ਤਰਸ਼ੀਸ਼ ਦੇ ਜਹਾਜਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਭੰਨ ਸੁੱਟਦਾ ਹੈਂ । 8 ਜਿਵੇਂ ਅਸੀਂ ਸੁਣਿਆ ਹੈ ਤਿਵੇਂ ਸੈਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਹਿਰ ਵਿੱਚ, ਸਾਡੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਹਿਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਅਸੀਂ ਵੇਖਿਆ ਵੀ ਹੈ । ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਕਾਇਮ ਰੱਖੇਗਾ । ਸਲਹ । 9 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਅਸੀਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਹੈਕਲ ਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੇਰੀ ਦਯਾ ਉੱਤੇ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ । 10 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਜਿਵੇਂ ਤੇਰਾ ਨਾਮ, ਤਿਵੇਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਬੰਨਿਆਂ ਤੱਕ ਹੈ, ਤੇਰਾ ਸੱਜਾ ਹੱਥ ਧਰਮ ਨਾਲ ਭਰਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ । 11 ਤੇਰੇ ਨਿਆਵਾਂ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਸੀਯੋਨ ਪਰਬਤ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਵੇ, ਯਹੂਦਾਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਧੀਆਂ ਖੁਸ਼ੀਆਂ ਮਨਾਉਣ ! 12 ਸੀਯੋਨ ਦੇ ਚੁਫ਼ੇਰੇ ਫਿਰੋ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਪਰਦੱਖਣਾ ਕਰੋ, ਉਹ ਦੇ ਬੁਰਜਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਗਿਣੋ । 13 ਉਹ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਹਿਰਪਨਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਦਿਲ ਲਾ ਕੇ ਵੇਖੋ, ਉਹ ਦੇ ਮਹਿਲਾਂ ਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਦੀ ਲੰਘੋ ਕਿ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਆਉਣ ਵਾਲੀ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਨੂੰ ਦੱਸ ਸਕੋ । 14 ਇਹੋ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਤਾਂ ਜੁੱਗੋ-ਜੁੱਗ ਸਾਡਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੈ, ਮੌਤ ਤੱਕ ਵੀ ਓਹੋ ਸਾਡਾ ਆਗੂ ਰਹੇਗਾ !
1 ਹੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਲੋਕੋ, ਇਹ ਸੁਣੋ, ਹੇ ਜਗਤ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਵਾਸੀਓ ਕੰਨ ਲਾਓ ! 2 ਕੀ ਊਚ, ਕੀ ਨੀਚ, ਧਨੀ ਅਤੇ ਕੰਗਾਲ ਇਕੱਠੇ । 3 ਮੇਰੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਬੁੱਧ ਦੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਨਿੱਕਲਣਗੀਆਂ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਦਾ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਗਿਆਨ ਦਾ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ । 4 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਕੰਨ ਦਰਿਸ਼ਟਾਂਤ ਵੱਲ ਲਾਵਾਂਗਾ, ਮੈਂ ਬਰਬਤ ਨਾਲ ਆਪਣਾ ਭੇਤ ਖੋਲਾਂਗਾ । 5 ਬੁਰੇ ਦਿਨਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੈਂ ਕਿਉਂ ਡਰਾਂ, ਜਦ ਧੋਖੇਬਾਜ਼ਾਂ ਦੀ ਬਦੀ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਘੇਰ ਲੈਂਦੀ ਹੈ ? 6 ਜਿਹੜੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਮਾਇਆ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਧਨ ਦੀ ਬੁਹਤਾਇਤ ਉੱਤੇ ਫੁੱਲਦੇ ਹਨ, 7 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਕੋਈ ਆਪਣੇ ਭਰਾ ਦਾ ਛੁਟਕਾਰਾ ਕਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਸਕਦਾ, ਨਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੂੰ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਬਦਲੇ ਪਰਾਸਚਿਤ ਦੇ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ, 8 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਜਾਨ ਦਾ ਛੁਟਕਾਰਾ ਮਹਿੰਗਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਅਸਾਧ ਹੈ, 9 ਕਿ ਉਹ ਅਨੰਤ ਕਾਲ ਤੱਕ ਜਿਉਂਦਾ ਰਹੇ, ਅਤੇ ਕਬਰ ਨੂੰ ਨਾ ਵੇਖੇ । 10 ਉਹ ਤਾਂ ਵੇਖਦਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਬੁੱਧਵਾਨ ਵੀ ਮਰਦੇ, ਅਤੇ ਮੂਰਖ ਅਤੇ ਖਚਰਾ ਦੋਵੇਂ ਨਸ਼ਟ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਮਾਇਆ ਹੋਰਨਾਂ ਲਈ ਛੱਡ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ । 11 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਇਹ ਭੁਲੇਖਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਸਾਡੇ ਘਰ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਅਤੇ ਸਾਡੇ ਨਿਵਾਸ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀਓ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਰਹਿਣਗੇ, ਓਹ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਭੂਮੀਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਨਾਮ ਰੱਖਦੇ ਹਨ । 12 ਪਰ ਆਦਮੀ ਆਦਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਹੀਂ ਟਿਕੇਗਾ, ਉਹ ਡੰਗਰਾਂ ਵਰਗੇ ਹਨ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਨਸ਼ਟ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ । 13 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਇਹ ਚਾਲ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਮੂਰਖਤਾਈ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਵੀ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਮਗਰ ਆਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪਸੰਦ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ । ਸਲਹ । 14 ਇੱਜੜ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਉਹ ਪਤਾਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਰੱਖੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਮੌਤ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਅਯਾਲੀ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ, ਅਤੇ ਸਵੇਰ ਨੂੰ ਧਰਮੀ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਰਾਜ ਕਰਨਗੇ । ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਰੂਪ ਪਤਾਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਗਲ਼ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ, ਉਹ ਦਾ ਕੋਈ ਟਿਕਾਣਾ ਨਾ ਰਹੇਗਾ । 15 ਪਰੰਤੂ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਪਤਾਲ ਦੇ ਵੱਸ ਤੋਂ ਛੁਟਕਾਰਾ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਕਬੂਲ ਕਰੇਗਾ । ਸਲਹ । 16 ਤੂੰ ਨਾ ਡਰ ਜਦ ਕੋਈ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਧਨੀ ਹੋ ਜਾਵੇ, ਜਦ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਘਰ ਦਾ ਪਰਤਾਪ ਵਧ ਜਾਵੇ, 17 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਹ ਮਰਨ ਦੇ ਵੇਲੇ ਕੁੱਝ ਵੀ ਨਾ ਲਈ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ, ਉਹ ਦਾ ਪਰਤਾਪ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਪਿੱਛੇ ਨਾ ਉੱਤਰੇਗਾ, 18 ਭਾਵੇਂ ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਜਿਉਂਦੇ ਜੀਅ ਆਪਣੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਆਖਦਾ, - ਜਦੋਂ ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਭਲਾ ਕਰੇਂ ਤਾਂ ਲੋਕ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਸਲਾਹੁਣਗੇ, - 19 ਤਦ ਵੀ ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਿਉ-ਦਾਦਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਾ ਰਲੇਗਾ, ਜਿਹੜੇ ਕਦੇ ਵੀ ਚਾਨਣ ਨਾ ਵੇਖਣਗੇ । 20 ਜਿਹੜਾ ਆਦਮੀ ਆਦਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ ਪਰ ਸਮਝ ਨਹੀਂ ਰੱਖਦਾ, ਉਹ ਡੰਗਰਾਂ ਦੇ ਵਰਗਾ ਹੈ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਨਸ਼ਟ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ !
1 ਸ਼ਕਤੀਮਾਨ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਬੋਲਿਆ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਸੂਰਜ ਦੇ ਚੜਦੇ ਤੋਂ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਲਹਿੰਦੇ ਤੱਕ ਧਰਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਸੱਦਿਆ ਹੈ । 2 ਸੀਯੋਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਸੁਹੱਪਣ ਦਾ ਪੂਰਾ ਹੈ, ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਚਮਕਿਆ । 3 ਸਾਡਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਆਵੇ ਅਤੇ ਚੁੱਪ ਨਾ ਰਹੇ, ਅੱਗ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ-ਅੱਗੇ ਭਸਮ ਕਰਦੀ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਆਲੇ-ਦੁਆਲੇ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰੀ ਜ਼ੋਰ ਨਾਲ ਵਗਦੀ ਹੈ ! 4 ਉਹ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਨੂੰ ਉਤਾਹਾਂ ਪੁਕਾਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ, ਕਿ ਉਹ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਦਾ ਨਿਆਂ ਕਰੇ । 5 ਮੇਰੇ ਸੰਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਕੋਲ ਇਕੱਠਿਆਂ ਕਰੋ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਬਲੀਦਾਨ ਦੇ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਨੇਮ ਬੰਨ੍ਹਿਆ ਹੈ । 6 ਸਵਰਗ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਧਰਮ ਦਾ ਪਰਚਾਰ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਆਪ ਹੀ ਨਿਆਈਂ ਹੈ । ਸਲਹ । 7 ਹੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਪਰਜਾ, ਸੁਣ ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਬੋਲਾਂਗਾ, ਹੇ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਸਾਖੀ ਦਿਆਂਗਾ । ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਤੇਰਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੈਂ ਹੀ ਹਾਂ ! 8 ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਬਲੀਦਾਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਨਹੀਂ ਝਿੜਕਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਹੋਮ ਬਲੀਆਂ ਹਰ ਵੇਲੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਹਨ । 9 ਮੈਂ ਨਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਘਰ ਤੋਂ ਬਲਦ, ਨਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਵਾੜਿਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਬੱਕਰੇ ਲਵਾਂਗਾ, 10 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਜੰਗਲ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਦਰਿੰਦੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਹਨ, ਨਾਲੇ ਹਜ਼ਾਰਾਂ ਪਹਾੜਾਂ ਦੇ ਡੰਗਰ । 11 ਪਹਾੜਾਂ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਪੰਖੇਰੂਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੈਂ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਅਤੇ ਮੈਦਾਨ ਦੇ ਜਾਨਵਰ ਮੇਰੇ ਹਨ । 12 ਮੈਂ ਜੇ ਭੁੱਖਾ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਤਾਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਨਾ ਆਖਦਾ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਜਗਤ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਭਰਪੂਰੀ ਮੇਰੀ ਹੈ । 13 ਭਲਾ, ਮੈਂ ਸਾਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਮਾਸ ਖਾਵਾਂ ? ਜਾਂ ਬੱਕਰਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਰੱਤ ਪੀਵਾਂ ? 14 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੂੰ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਹੀ ਦਾ ਬਲੀਦਾਨ ਚੜ੍ਹਾ, ਅਤੇ ਅੱਤ ਮਹਾਨ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਸੁੱਖਣਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪੂਰੀਆਂ ਕਰ, 15 ਤਾਂ ਦੁੱਖਾਂ ਦੇ ਦਿਨ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰ, ਮੈਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾਵਾਂਗਾ ਅਤੇ ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਕਰੇਂਗਾ । 16 ਪਰ ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਨੂੰ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਇਉਂ ਆਖਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤੇਰਾ ਕੀ ਹੱਕ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਸੁਣਾਵੇਂ, ਅਤੇ ਤੂੰ ਕਿਉਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੇਰਾ ਨੇਮ ਲਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ ? 17 ਜਦੋਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਤਾੜਨਾ ਬੁਰਾ ਲੱਗਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਬਚਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਿੱਛੇ ਸੁੱਟਦਾ ਹੈਂ ? 18 ਜਦ ਤੂੰ ਚੋਰ ਨੂੰ ਵੇਖਿਆ ਤਾਂ ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਰਲ ਗਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਵਿਭਚਾਰੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਸਾਂਝੀ ਹੋਇਆ ! 19 ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਨੂੰ ਬੁਰਿਆਈ ਲਈ ਖੋਲਿਆ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਰਸਨਾ ਧੋਖਾ ਘੜਦੀ ਹੈ । 20 ਤੂੰ ਬਹਿ ਕੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਭਰਾ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਬੋਲਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਆਪਣੇ ਸਕੇ ਭਰਾ ਦੀ ਨਿੰਦਿਆ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈਂ । 21 ਤੂੰ ਇਹ ਕੰਮ ਕਿਤੇ ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਚੁੱਪ ਵੱਟ ਛੱਡੀ, ਤੂੰ ਸਮਝਿਆ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਵੀ ਠੀਕ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਰਗਾ ਹੈ, ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਝਿੜਕਾਂਗਾ ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਅੱਖੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਤੇਰਾ ਦਾਵਾ ਪੇਸ਼ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 22 ਹੁਣ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਸਾਰਦੇ ਹੋ ਇਸ ਗੱਲ ਨੂੰ ਸੋਚੋ, ਕਿਤੇ ਅਜਿਹਾ ਨਾ ਹੋਵੇ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਪਾੜ ਸੁੱਟਾਂ, ਅਤੇ ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਕੋਈ ਛੁਡਾਉਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਨਾ ਹੋਵੇ । 23 ਜਿਹੜਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਦਾ ਬਲੀਦਾਨ ਚੜਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਮੇਰੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਆਪਣੀ ਚਾਲ ਸੁਧਾਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੀ ਮੁਕਤੀ ਵਿਖਾਵਾਂਗਾ ।
1 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਆਪਣੀ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਦੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਦਯਾ ਕਰ, ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਰਹਿਮਤਾਂ ਦੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਮੇਰੇ ਅਪਰਾਧ ਮਿਟਾ ਦੇ ! 2 ਮੇਰੀ ਬਦੀ ਤੋਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਚੰਗੀ ਤਰਾਂ ਧੋ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਾਪ ਤੋਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸ਼ੁੱਧ ਕਰ, 3 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਅਪਰਾਧ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਪਾਪ ਸਦਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਹੈ । 4 ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰਾ, ਹਾਂ, ਤੇਰਾ ਹੀ ਪਾਪ ਕੀਤਾ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਨਿਗਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਇਹ ਬੁਰਿਆਈ ਕੀਤੀ, ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਫੈਸਲੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਧਰਮੀ ਠਹਿਰੇਂ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਨਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੂੰ ਸਾਫ਼ ਨਿੱਕਲੇਂ । 5 ਵੇਖ, ਮੈਂ ਬਦੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਜੰਮਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਪਾਪ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੇਰੀ ਮਾਤਾ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਕੁੱਖ ਵਿੱਚ ਲਿਆ । 6 ਵੇਖ, ਤੂੰ ਅੰਦਰਲੀ ਸਚਿਆਈ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਅਤੇ ਗੁਪਤ ਮਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬੁੱਧੀ ਸਿਖਾਵੇਂਗਾ । 7 ਜ਼ੂਫ਼ੇ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਪਾਕ ਕਰ ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਸ਼ੁੱਧ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਵਾਂਗਾ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਧੋ, ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਬਰਫ਼ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਵੀ ਚਿੱਟਾ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਵਾਂਗਾ । 8 ਮੈਨੂੰ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਅਤੇ ਅਨੰਦ ਸੁਣਾ, ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਓਹ ਹੱਡੀਆਂ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤੂੰ ਤੋੜ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਣ । 9 ਮੇਰਿਆਂ ਪਾਪਾਂ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਮੂੰਹ ਫੇਰ ਲੈ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਬਦੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਟਾ ਦੇ ! 10 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਇੱਕ ਪਾਕ ਮਨ ਉਤਪਨ ਕਰ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਨਵੇਂ ਸਿਰੇ ਤੋਂ ਸਥਿਰ ਆਤਮਾ ਵੀ । 11 ਮੈਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਹਜੂਰੋਂ ਨਾ ਧੱਕ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਆਤਮਾ ਮੈਥੋਂ ਨਾ ਲੈ ! 12 ਆਪਣੀ ਮੁਕਤੀ ਦੀ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮੋੜ ਦੇ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਰਮ ਆਤਮਾ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸੰਭਾਲ । 13 ਤਦ ਮੈਂ ਅਪਰਾਧੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਤੇਰੇ ਰਾਹ ਸਿਖਾਵਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਪਾਪੀ ਤੇਰੇ ਵੱਲ ਮੁੜਨਗੇ । 14 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੇਰੀ ਮੁਕਤੀ ਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਖੂਨ ਦੇ ਦੋਸ਼ ਤੋਂ ਛੁਡਾ, ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰੀ ਜੀਭ ਤੇਰੇ ਧਰਮ ਦਾ ਜੈ-ਜੈ ਕਾਰ ਕਰੇਗੀ । 15 ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਮੇਰੇ ਬੁੱਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਖੋਲ ਦੇ, ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਸੁਣਾਵੇਗਾ । 16 ਤੂੰ ਤਾਂ ਬਲੀਦਾਨ ਨਾਲ ਪਰਸੰਨ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ, ਨਹੀਂ ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਉਹ ਦਿੰਦਾ, ਹੋਮ ਬਲੀ ਤੋਂ ਤੂੰ ਖੁਸ਼ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ । 17 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦਾ ਬਲੀਦਾਨ ਟੁੱਟਾ ਹੋਇਆ ਆਤਮਾ ਹੈ, ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਟੁੱਟੇ ਅਤੇ ਕੁਚਲੇ ਹੋਏ ਮਨ ਨੂੰ ਤੂੰ ਤੁੱਛ ਨਾ ਜਾਣੇਗਾ । 18 ਆਪਣੀ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਨਾਲ ਸੀਯੋਨ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ ਕਰ, ਅਤੇ ਯਰੂਸ਼ਲਮ ਦੀਆਂ ਹੱਦਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਣਾ ਦੇ । 19 ਤਦ ਤੂੰ ਧਰਮ ਦੇ ਬਲੀਦਾਨਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਰਸੰਨ ਹੋਵੇਂਗਾ, ਅਰਥਾਤ ਹੋਮ ਅਤੇ ਪੂਰੀ ਹੋਮ ਬਲੀ ਵਿੱਚ, ਤਦ ਓਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਜਗਵੇਦੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਬਲਦ ਚੜ੍ਹਾਉਣਗੇ ।
1 ਹੇ ਸੂਰਬੀਰ, ਤੂੰ ਬੁਰਿਆਈ ਉੱਤੇ ਕਿਉਂ ਫੁੱਲਦਾ ਹੈਂ ? ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਨਿੱਤ ਰਹਿੰਦੀ ਹੈ । 2 ਹੇ ਛਲੀਏ, ਤੇਰੀ ਜੀਭ ਬੁਰਿਆਈ ਦੀਆਂ ਯੋਜਨਾਵਾਂ ਤਿੱਖੇ ਉਸਤਰੇ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਕਰਦੀ ਹੈ ! 3 ਤੂੰ ਬੁਰਿਆਈ ਨੂੰ ਭਲਿਆਈ ਨਾਲੋਂ, ਅਤੇ ਝੂਠ ਬੋਲਣ ਨੂੰ ਸੱਚ ਬੋਲਣ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਵਧੇਰੇ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹੈਂ । ਸਲਹ । 4 ਹੇ ਛਲ ਵਾਲੀ ਜੀਭ, ਤੂੰ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਹਲਾਕ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਰੱਖਦੀ ਹੈਂ ! 5 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਵੀ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਸਦਾ ਲਈ ਕੱਢ ਸੁੱਟੇਗਾ, ਉਹ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਫੜ੍ਹ ਕੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਤੰਬੂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਉਖੇੜ ਛੱਡੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਜੀਉਣ ਦੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਜੜ੍ਹ ਪੁੱਟ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ ! ਸਲਹ । 6 ਧਰਮੀ ਵੀ ਵੇਖਣਗੇ ਅਤੇ ਡਰਨਗੇ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਉੱਤੇ ਹੱਸਣਗੇ, 7 ਵੇਖੋ, ਏਹ ਓਹੋ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਹੈ ਜਿਸ ਨੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਗੜ੍ਹ ਨਹੀਂ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਸੀ, ਸਗੋਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਧਨ ਦੀ ਬਹੁਤਾਇਤ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਸੀ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਲੋਭ ਵਿੱਚ ਪੱਕਾ ਸੀ ! 8 ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਤਾਂ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਘਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਜੈਤੂਨ ਦੇ ਹਰੇ ਭਰੇ ਰੁੱਖ ਵਰਗਾ ਹਾਂ, ਮੈਂ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਉੱਤੇ ਸਦਾ ਹੀ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ । 9 ਮੈਂ ਸਦਾ ਤੇਰਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਇਹ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਉਡੀਕ ਰੱਖਾਂਗਾ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੇਰੇ ਸੰਤਾਂ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਉਹ ਭਲਾ ਹੈ ।
1 ਮੂਰਖ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਖਿਆ ਕਿ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੈ ਹੀ ਨਹੀਂ ! ਓਹ ਵਿਗੜ ਗਏ ਹਨ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਘਿਣਾਉਣੇ ਕੰਮ ਕੀਤੇ ਹਨ, ਭਲਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ ਕੋਈ ਨਹੀਂ । 2 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੇ ਸਵਰਗ ਉੱਤੋਂ ਆਦਮ ਵੰਸ ਉੱਤੇ ਦਰਿਸ਼ਟੀ ਕੀਤੀ, ਤਾਂ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਵੇਖੇ ਕੋਈ ਬੁੱਧਵਾਨ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦਾ ਖੋਜੀ ਹੈ ਜਾਂ ਨਹੀਂ ? 3 ਓਹ ਸੱਭੇ ਕੁਰਾਹੇ ਪੈ ਗਏ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਸਭ ਦੇ ਸਭ ਫਿਰ ਗਏ ਹਨ, ਕੋਈ ਭਲਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ ਨਹੀਂ, ਇੱਕ ਵੀ ਨਹੀਂ ! 4 ਭਲਾ, ਇਹ ਕੁਕਰਮੀ ਸਮਝ ਨਹੀਂ ਰੱਖਦੇ, ਜਿਹੜੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਨੂੰ ਖਾਂਦੇ ਜਿਵੇਂ ਰੋਟੀ ਖਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਨਹੀਂ ਲੈਂਦੇ ? 5 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਉੱਥੇ ਵੱਡਾ ਭੈ ਖਾਧਾ ਜਿੱਥੇ ਕੋਈ ਭੈ ਨਹੀਂ ਸੀ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਹੱਡੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਖਿੰਡਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ, ਜਿਹੜੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਛਾਉਣੀ ਪਾਈ ਬੈਠੇ ਸਨ, ਤੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸ਼ਰਮਿੰਦਿਆਂ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤਿਆਗ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ । 6 ਕਾਸ਼ ਕਿ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਦਾ ਬਚਾਓ ਸੀਯੋਨ ਤੋਂ ਨਿੱਕਲੇ ! ਜਦ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਨੂੰ ਗ਼ੁਲਾਮੀ ਤੋਂ ਮੋੜ ਲਿਆਵੇਗਾ, ਤਦ ਯਾਕੂਬ ਬਾਗ ਬਾਗ ਅਤੇ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ ।
1 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਆਪਣੇ ਨਾਮ ਤੋਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਚਾ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਸਮਰੱਥਾ ਨਾਲ ਮੇਰਾ ਨਿਆਂ ਕਰ ! 2 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੇਰੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾ ਸੁਣ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਕੰਨ ਲਾ, 3 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਓਪਰੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਉੱਠੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਜ਼ਾਲਮ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਦੇ ਗਾਹਕ ਹੋਏ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਨਮੁੱਖ ਨਹੀਂ ਰੱਖਿਆ । ਸਲਹ । 4 ਵੇਖੋ, ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਹਾਇਕ ਹੈ, ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਦੇ ਸੰਭਾਲੂਆਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਹੈ । 5 ਇਹ ਬੁਰਿਆਈ ਮੇਰੇ ਘਾਤੀਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਉਹ ਮੋੜ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ, ਆਪਣੀ ਸਚਿਆਈ ਨਾਲ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੁਕਾ ਦੇ ! 6 ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਦੀ ਭੇਤ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਚੜਾਵਾਂਗਾ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਹ ਭਲਾ ਹੈ । 7 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਤਾਂ ਸਾਰੇ ਦੁੱਖ ਤੋਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾਇਆ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਅੱਖ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਵੇਖ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ !
1 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੇਰੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾ ਉੱਤੇ ਕੰਨ ਲਗਾ, ਮੇਰੀ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਤੋਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ ਨਾ ਲੁਕਾ, 2 ਮੇਰੀ ਵੱਲ ਧਿਆਨ ਕਰ ਅਤੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦੇ ! ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰੇਸ਼ਾਨੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਬੇਚੈਨ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਹੂੰਗਦਾ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ, 3 ਵੈਰੀ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ, ਅਤੇ ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਦੇ ਦਬਾਓ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਹ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਮੁਸੀਬਤਾਂ ਵਧਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਤਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ । 4 ਮੇਰਾ ਦਿਲ ਬਹੁਤ ਦੁੱਖੀ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਮੌਤ ਦਾ ਡਰ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਆ ਪਿਆ ਹੈ । 5 ਡਰ ਅਤੇ ਥਰਥਰਾਹਟ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਆ ਪਏ, ਅਤੇ ਘਬਰਾਹਟ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਦਬਾ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ । 6 ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਆਖਿਆ, ਕਾਸ਼ ਕਿ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਕਬੂਤਰ ਜਿਹੇ ਖੰਭ ਮਿਲਦੇ, ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਉੱਡ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਤੇ ਅਰਾਮ ਪਾਉਂਦਾ ! 7 ਵੇਖੋ, ਮੈਂ ਦੂਰ ਵਾਟ ਉੱਡ ਜਾਂਦਾ, ਅਤੇ ਉਜਾੜ ਵਿੱਚ ਵਸੇਰਾ ਕਰਦਾ ! ਸਲਹ । 8 ਮੈਂ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰੀ ਅਤੇ ਤੂਫਾਨ ਤੋਂ ਛੇਤੀ ਓਟ ਲੈਂਦਾ । 9 ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਨਿਗਲ ਲੈ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਜੀਭਾਂ ਵੱਖੋ-ਵੱਖਰੀਆਂ ਕਰ ਦੇ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਨਗਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰ ਅਤੇ ਝਗੜਾ ਵੇਖਿਆ ਹੈ ! 10 ਦਿਨ ਰਾਤ ਓਹ ਉਸ ਦੀਆਂ ਕੰਧਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਚਾਰ ਚੁਫ਼ੇਰੇ ਘੁੰਮਦੇ ਹਨ, ਬਦੀ ਅਤੇ ਸ਼ਰਾਰਤ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਹੈ । 11 ਤਬਾਹੀ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਹੈ, ਧੱਕੇ ਸ਼ਾਹੀ ਅਤੇ ਹੇਰਾਫ਼ੇਰੀ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਬਜ਼ਾਰਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਅਲੱਗ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦੀ । 12 ਜਿਹੜਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਇਲਜ਼ਾਮ ਲਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰਾ ਵੈਰੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਸੀ, ਨਹੀਂ ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਸਹਿ ਲੈਂਦਾ, ਅਤੇ ਜੋ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਫੁੱਲਦਾ ਸੀ, ਉਹ ਮੇਰਾ ਦੁਸ਼ਮਣ ਨਹੀਂ ਸੀ, ਨਹੀਂ ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਲੁਕ ਜਾਂਦਾ, 13 ਪਰ ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਸੀ ਜੋ ਮੇਰੇ ਬਰਾਬਰ ਦਾ ਮਨੁੱਖ, ਮੇਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਦਾ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਣ- ਪਹਿਚਾਣ ਦਾ ਸੀ ! 14 ਅਸੀਂ ਆਪਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਿੱਠੀਆਂ ਮਿੱਠੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਸੀ, ਅਤੇ ਸੰਗਤ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਭਵਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਫਿਰਦੇ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਸੀ । 15 ਮੌਤ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਅਚਾਨਕ ਆ ਪਵੇ, ਉਹ ਜਿਉਂਦੇ ਜੀਅ ਪਤਾਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਤਰ ਜਾਣ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਨਿਵਾਸ ਸਥਾਨਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਗੋਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਬੁਰਿਆਈ ਹੈ ! 16 ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਚਾ ਲਵੇਗਾ । 17 ਸ਼ਾਮ, ਸਵੇਰ ਅਤੇ ਦੁਪਹਿਰ ਨੂੰ ਮੈਂ ਸ਼ਕਾਇਤ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਹੂੰਗਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਮੇਰੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਸੁਣੇਗਾ । 18 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਹੱਲੇ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਆਸਾਨੀ ਨਾਲ ਛੁਡਾ ਲਿਆ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਨ । 19 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਸੁਣੇਗਾ ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ, ਉਹ ਆਦ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਰਾਜਮਾਨ ਹੈ । ਸਲਹ । ਏਹ ਓਹ ਹਨ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਲਈ ਅਦਲ-ਬਦਲ ਨਹੀਂ, ਅਤੇ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦਾ ਭੈ ਨਹੀਂ ਮੰਨਦੇ । 20 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਾਥੀਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਹੱਥ ਚੁੱਕੇ ਹਨ, ਉਹ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਨੇਮ ਨੂੰ ਭਰਿਸ਼ਟ ਕੀਤਾ । 21 ਉਹ ਦਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਮੱਖਣ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਵੀ ਚਿਕਨਾ ਸੀ, ਪਰ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਦਿਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੜਾਈ ਸੀ ! ਉਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਤੇਲ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਵੀ ਕੂਲੀਆਂ ਸਨ, ਪਰ ਓਹ ਸਨ ਨੰਗੀਆਂ ਤਲਵਾਰਾਂ ! 22 ਆਪਣਾ ਭਾਰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉੱਤੇ ਸੁੱਟ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਸੰਭਾਲੇਗਾ, ਓਹ ਧਰਮੀ ਨੂੰ ਕਦੇ ਨਾ ਡੋਲਣ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ । 23 ਪਰ ਤੂੰ, ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਰਬਾਦੀ ਦੇ ਟੋਏ ਵਿੱਚ ਡੇਗ ਦੇਵੇਂਗਾ, ਹਤਿਆਰੇ ਅਤੇ ਕਪਟੀ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਆਪਣੀ ਅੱਧੀ ਉਮਰ ਤੱਕ ਵੀ ਨਾ ਪਹੁੰਚਣਗੇ, ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖਾਂਗਾ ।
1 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਦਯਾ ਕਰ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਆਦਮੀ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮਿੱਧਦੇ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਸਾਰਾ ਦਿਨ ਲੜਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਦਬਾਈ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ ! 2 ਮੇਰੇ ਘਾਤੀ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਾਰਾ ਦਿਨ ਮਿੱਧਦੇ ਹਨ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਵੱਡੇ ਹੰਕਾਰ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਲੜਦੇ ਹਨ । 3 ਜਿਸ ਵੇਲੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਡਰ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖਾਂਗਾ । 4 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੈਂ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਬਚਨ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਨਾ ਡਰਾਂਗਾ, ਮਨੁੱਖ ਮੇਰਾ ਕੀ ਕਰ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ ? 5 ਓਹ ਸਾਰਾ ਦਿਨ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪਲਟਾਉਂਦੇ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਸੋਚਾਂ ਮੇਰਾ ਬੁਰਾ ਕਰਨ ਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ । 6 ਓਹ ਸਾਰੇ ਇਕੱਠੇ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਲੁਕ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਕਦਮਾਂ ਦੀ ਖੋਜ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਜਿਵੇਂ ਓਹ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਲਈ ਆਕੜਦੇ ਸਨ । 7 ਭਲਾ, ਓਹ ਬਦਕਾਰੀ ਨਾਲ ਬਚ ਨਿੱਕਲਣਗੇ ? ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਨਾਲ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਹੇਠਾਂ ਲਾਹ ਦੇ ! 8 ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਅਵਾਰਾ ਫਿਰਨ ਦਾ ਲੇਖਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਮੇਰਿਆਂ ਅੰਝੂਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਕੁੱਪੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਰੱਖ ਛੱਡ, ਭਲਾ, ਉਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਕਿਤਾਬ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਹੀਂ ਹਨ ? । 9 ਜਿਸ ਦਿਨ ਮੈਂ ਪੁਕਾਰਾਂ ਤਦ ਮੇਰੇ ਵੈਰੀ ਪਿਛਾਂਹ ਮੁੜ ਜਾਣਗੇ, ਮੈਂ ਇਹ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਕਿ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਮੇਰੀ ਵੱਲ ਹੈ । 10 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੈਂ ਬਚਨ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੈਂ ਬਚਨ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 11 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਨਾ ਡਰਾਂਗਾ, ਆਦਮੀ ਮੇਰਾ ਕੀ ਕਰ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ ? 12 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਸੁੱਖਣਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਹਨ, ਮੈਂ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਦੀਆਂ ਭੇਟਾਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਦਿਆਂਗਾ, 13 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਮੌਤ ਤੋਂ ਛੁਡਾਈ ਹੈ, - ਭਲਾ, ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰਿਆਂ ਪੈਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਠੇਡੇ ਖਾਣ ਤੋਂ ਨਾ ਬਚਾਵੇਂਗਾ, ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਸਨਮੁੱਖ ਜਿਉਂਦਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਚਾਨਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਚੱਲਾਂ ਫਿਰਾਂ ?
1 ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਦਯਾ ਕਰ, ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ,ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਦਯਾ ਕਰ ! ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਸ਼ਰਨ ਲਈ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ,ਅਤੇ ਮੈ ਤੇਰੇ ਖੰਭਾਂ ਦੀ ਛਾਇਆ ਹੇਠ ਸ਼ਰਨ ਲਵਾਂਗਾ,ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਚਿਰ ਏਹ ਆਫ਼ਤਾਂ ਨਾ ਲੰਘ ਜਾਣ । 2 ਮੈ ਅੱਤ ਮਹਾਨ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰਾਂਗਾ,ਉਸ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੂੰ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਸਭ ਕੁੱਝ ਪੂਰਿਆਂ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ । 3 ਉਹ ਸਵਰਗ ਤੋਂ ਭੇਜ ਕੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਚਾਵੇਗਾ,ਜਦ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਿੱਧਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਦੋਸ਼ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ । ਸਲਹ । ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਆਪਣੀ ਦਯਾ ਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਸਚਿਆਈ ਘੱਲੇਗਾ । 4 ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਬੱਬਰ ਸ਼ੇਰਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ, ਮੈ ਭਾਂਬੜਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਅਰਥਾਤ ਆਦਮ ਵੰਸੀਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੇਟਾਂਗਾ,ਜਿੰਨਾ ਦੇ ਦੰਦ ਬਰਛੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਤੀਰ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਜੀਭ ਤਿੱਖੀ ਤਲਵਾਰ ਹੈ । 5 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ,ਅਕਾਸ਼ਾਂ ਦੇ ਉਤਾਹਾਂ ਤੂੰ ਮਹਾਨ ਹੋ,ਸਾਰੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਉਤਾਹਾਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਹੋਵੇ ! 6 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਕਦਮਾਂ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਜਾਲ਼ ਤਿਆਰ ਕੀਤਾ,ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਝੁੱਕ ਗਈ ਹੈ । ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਟੋਆ ਪੁੱਟਿਆ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਆਪ ਉਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਡਿੱਗ ਪਏ ਹਨ । ਸਲਹ । 7 ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨ ਕਾਇਮ ਹੈ, ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨ ਕਾਇਮ ਹੈ, ਮੈ ਗਾਵਾਂਗਾ, ਮੈ ਭਜਨ ਕੀਰਤਨ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ ! 8 ਹੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਮਹਿਮਾ, ਜਾਗ ! ਹੇ ਸਤਾਰ ਤੇ ਬਰਬਤ, ਜਾਗੋ ! ਮੈ ਫਜ਼ਰ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਜਗਾ ਦਿਆਂਗਾ ! 9 ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਮੈਂ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੇਰਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਮੈਂ ਕੋਮਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੇਰੀ ਅਰਾਧਨਾ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ ! 10 ਤੇਰੀ ਦਯਾ ਤਾਂ ਅਕਾਸ਼ਾਂ ਤੱਕ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਵਫ਼ਾਦਾਰੀ ਬੱਦਲਾਂ ਤੱਕ ਵੱਡੀ ਹੈ । 11 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ,ਅਕਾਸ਼ਾਂ ਦੇ ਉਤਾਹਾਂ ਤੂੰ ਮਹਾਨ ਹੋ,ਸਾਰੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਉਤਾਹਾਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਹੋਵੇ !
1 ਹੇ ਬਲਵਾਨ ਸੁਆਮੀਓ,ਕੀ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਸੱਚ-ਮੁੱਚ ਧਰਮ ਨਾਲ ਬੋਲਦੇ ਹੋ ? ਕੀ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਆਦਮ ਵੰਸੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਸਿੱਧਾ ਨਿਆਂ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੋ ? 2 ਨਹੀਂ, ਸਗੋਂ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਮਨੋਂ ਬਦੀ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੋ,ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਦਾ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰ ਤੋਲ ਦਿੰਦੇ ਹੋ ? 3 ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਕੁੱਖੋਂ ਹੀ ਓਪਰੇ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ, ਉਹ ਜੰਮਦੇ ਸਾਰ ਹੀ ਝੂਠ ਬੋਲ ਬੋਲ ਕੇ ਭਟਕ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ । 4 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਵਿੱਸ ਸੱਪ ਦੀ ਵਿੱਸ ਵਰਗੀ ਹੈ, ਓਹ ਉਸ ਬੋਲੇ ਨਾਗ ਦੀ ਨਿਆਈਂ ਹਨ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਆਪਣੇ ਕੰਨ ਮੁੰਦ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ, 5 ਜਿਹੜਾ ਸਪੇਰਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਨਹੀਂ ਸੁਣਦਾ, ਭਾਵੇਂ ਕੇਡੀ ਹੀ ਚਲਾਕੀ ਨਾਲ ਓਹ ਜਾਦੂ ਕਰਨ । 6 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ,ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਦੰਦਾ ਨੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਭੰਨ ਸੁੱਟ, ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ,ਜੁਆਨ ਬੱਬਰ ਸ਼ੇਰਾ ਦੀਆਂ ਦਾੜ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪੁੱਟ ਸੁੱਟ । 7 ਓਹ ਵਗਦੇ ਪਾਣੀ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਵਹਿ ਜਾਣ, ਜਦ ਓਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਤੀਰਾਂ ਦਾ ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨਾ ਮਾਰੇ ਤਾਂ ਓਹ, ਮਾਨੋ, ਟੋਟੇ-ਟੋਟੇ ਹੋ ਜਾਣ ! 8 ਓਹ ਘੋਗੇ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਹੋਣ ਜੋ ਗਲ਼ ਕੇ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਓਹ ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਦੇ ਗਰਭਪਾਤ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਹੋਣ ਜਿਸ ਸੂਰਜ ਨਹੀਂ ਵੇਖਿਆ ! 9 ਇਸ ਤੋਂ ਅੱਗੇ ਜੋ ਤੁਹਾਡੀਆਂ ਦੇਗਾਂ ਛਾਪਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਤੱਤੀਆਂ ਹੋਣ, ਉਹ ਜਲੇ, ਅਣਜਲੇ, ਦੋਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵਾਵਰੋਲੇ ਨਾਲ ਉਡਾ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ । 10 ਧਰਮੀ ਇਹ ਬਦਲਾ ਵੇਖ ਕੇ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ, ਉਹ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਦੇ ਲਹੂ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਪਣੇ ਪੈਰ ਧੋਵੇਗਾ । 11 ਤਦ ਆਦਮੀ ਆਖੇਗਾ, ਧਰਮੀ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਫਲ ਤਾਂ ਹੈ ਹੀ, ਸੱਚ-ਮੁੱਚ ਇੱਕ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੈ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਨਿਆਂ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ !
1 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੇਰੇ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾ, ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉੱਚਿਆਈ ਤੇ ਰੱਖ ! 2 ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਦਕਾਰਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਛੁਡਾ, ਅਤੇ ਖੂਨੀ ਮਨੁੱਖਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਚਾ ! 3 ਵੇਖ ਤਾਂ, ਓਹ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਦੀ ਘਾਤ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੱਗੇ ਹੋਏ ਹਨ, ਬਲਵੰਤ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਇਕੱਠੇ ਹੋਏ ਹਨ । ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਨਾ ਮੇਰਾ ਕੁੱਝ ਅਪਰਾਧ ਨਾ ਮੇਰਾ ਕੁੱਝ ਪਾਪ ਹੈ, 4 ਮੇਰੀ ਬਦੀ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾ ਓਹ ਭੱਜ ਕੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ ਤਿਆਰ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਮੇਰੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਲਈ ਜਾਗ ਅਤੇ ਵੇਖ ! 5 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਸੈਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਤੂੰ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਦੀ ਖ਼ਬਰ ਲੈਣ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਗ ਉੱਠ ! ਕਿਸੇ ਖੋਟੇ ਬਦਕਾਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਦਯਾ ਨਾ ਕਰ ! ਸਲਹ । 6 ਓਹ ਸ਼ਾਮ ਵੇਲੇ ਨੂੰ ਮੁੜ ਆਣ ਕੇ ਕੁੱਤੇ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਭੌਂਕਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਨਗਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਘੁੰਮਦੇ ਫਿਰਦੇ ਹਨ । 7 ਵੇਖ, ਓਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਮੂੰਹੋਂ ਡਕਾਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਬੁੱਲ੍ਹਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਤਲਵਾਰਾਂ ਹਨ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਓਹ ਆਖਦੇ ਹਨ, ਕੌਣ ਸੁਣਦਾ ਹੈ ? 8 ਪਰ ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਹੱਸੇਂਗਾ, ਤੂੰ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਠੱਠੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਡਾਵੇਂਗਾ ! । 9 ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਬਲ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਵੱਲ ਗੌਹ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਮੇਰਾ ਉੱਚਾ ਗੜ੍ਹ ਜੋ ਹੈ । 10 ਮੇਰਾ ਦਯਾਵਾਨ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮਿਲੇਗਾ, ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਘਾਤੀਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਫਤਹ ਵਿਖਾਵੇਗਾ । 11 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਨਾ ਵੱਢ, ਮਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਭੁੱਲ ਜਾਵੇ, ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਸਾਡੀ ਢਾਲ, ਆਪਣੀ ਸ਼ਕਤੀ ਨਾਲ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਭੁਆਂ ਕੇ ਹੇਠਾਂ ਕਰ ਦੇ ! 12 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਬੁੱਲ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਦੇ ਪਾਪ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਫਿਟਕਾਰ ਤੇ ਉਸ ਝੂਠ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਜੋ ਓਹ ਬੋਲਦੇ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਹੰਕਾਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਫੜੇ ਜਾਣ ! 13 ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਨਾਲ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਅੰਤ ਕਰ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਅੰਤ ਕਰ ! ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਕੱਖ ਨਾ ਰਹੇ, ਤਾਂ ਲੋਕ ਜਾਣਨ ਕਿ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਯਾਕੂਬ ਉੱਤੇ, ਸਗੋਂ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਅੰਤ ਉੱਤੇ ਰਾਜ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ ! ਸਲਹ । 14 ਤਾਂ ਓਹ ਤਰਕਾਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੁੜ ਆਣ ਕੇ ਕੁੱਤੇ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਭੌਂਕਣ, ਅਤੇ ਨਗਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਘੁੰਮਣ ਫਿਰਨ । 15 ਓਹ ਟੁੱਕ ਦੇ ਲੱਭਣ ਨੂੰ ਭੌਂਦੇ ਫਿਰਨ, ਅਤੇ ਜੇ ਰੱਜ ਨਾ ਜਾਨ ਤਾਂ ਸਾਰੀ ਰਾਤ ਠਹਿਰਨ ! 16 ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਸਮਰੱਥਾ ਨੂੰ ਗਾਵਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਸਵੇਰ ਨੂੰ ਤੇਰੀ ਦਯਾ ਦਾ ਜੈ ਜੈ ਕਾਰ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । ਤੂੰ ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰਾ ਉੱਚਾ ਗੜ੍ਹ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਬਿਪਤਾ ਦੇ ਦਿਨ ਮੇਰੀ ਪਨਾਹਗਾਹ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈਂ । 17 ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਬਲ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰਾ ਭਜਨ ਕੀਰਤਨ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਮੇਰਾ ਉੱਚਾ ਗੜ੍ਹ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਦਿਆਲੂ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੈ ।
1 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਤੂੰ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਤਿਆਗ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਤੂੰ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਢਾਹ ਸੁੱਟਿਆ ਹੈ, ਤੂੰ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੀ ਹੋਇਆ, ਸਾਨੂੰ ਫੇਰ ਬਹਾਲ ਕਰ ! 2 ਤੂੰ ਧਰਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਕੰਬਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਪਾੜ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਤੇੜਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸੁਧਾਰ ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਇਹ ਡੋਲਦੀ ਹੈ ! 3 ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਨੂੰ ਡਾਢੇ ਕਲੇਸ਼ ਵਿਖਾਏ ਹਨ, ਤੂੰ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਡੋਲਣ ਦੀ ਮਧ ਪਿਆਈ ਹੈ । 4 ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਭੈ ਮੰਨਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਇੱਕ ਝੰਡਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ, ਕਿ ਉਹ ਸਚਿਆਈ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਵਿਖਾਇਆ ਜਾਵੇ । ਸਲਹ । 5 ਇਸ ਲਈ ਜੋ ਤੇਰੇ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਛੁਡਾਏ ਜਾਣ, ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਸੱਜੇ ਹੱਥ ਨਾਲ ਬਚਾ ਲਈ ਤੇ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦੇ ! । 6 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਵਿੱਤਰਤਾਈ ਨਾਲ ਬਚਨ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਮਨਾਵਾਂਗਾ, ਮੈਂ ਸ਼ਕਮ ਨੂੰ ਵੰਡ ਦਿਆਂਗਾ ਤੇ ਸੁੱਕੋਥ ਦੀ ਘਾਟੀ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਣਾਂਗਾ । 7 ਗਿਲਆਦ ਮੇਰਾ ਹੈ, ਮਨੱਸ਼ਹ ਵੀ ਅਤੇ ਇਫਰਾਈਮ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਿਰ ਦਾ ਟੋਪ ਹੈ, ਯਹੂਦਾਹ ਮੇਰਾ ਰਾਜ ਡੰਡਾ ਹੈ, 8 ਮੋਆਬ ਮੇਰੀ ਚਿਲਮਚੀ ਹੈ, ਅਦੋਮ ਉੱਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣਾ ਪੌਲਾ ਸੁੱਟਾਂਗਾ, ਹੇ ਫ਼ਲਿਸਤ, ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰਾ ਨਾਰਾ ਮਾਰ ! 9 ਕੌਣ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉਸ ਫ਼ਸੀਲਦਾਰ ਸ਼ਹਿਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਲਈ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ ? ਕੌਣ ਅਦੋਮ ਤੱਕ ਮੇਰੀ ਅਗਵਾਈ ਕਰੇਗਾ ? 10 ਭਲਾ, ਤੂੰ, ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਸਾਨੂੰ ਤਿਆਗ ਨਹੀਂ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ, ਕਿ ਤੂੰ, ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਸਾਡੀਆਂ ਸੈਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਸੰਗ ਨਹੀਂ ਚੱਲਦਾ ? 11 ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਤੋਂ ਸਾਡੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਕਰ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਆਦਮੀ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਬਚਾਓ ਵਿਅਰਥ ਹੈ । 12 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਅਸੀਂ ਸੂਰਮਗਤੀ ਕਰਾਂਗੇ, ਉਹੀ ਸਾਡੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਲਤਾੜ ਸੁੱਟੇਗਾ !
1 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੇਰੀ ਪੁਕਾਰ ਸੁਣ, ਮੇਰੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾ ਵੱਲ ਧਿਆਨ ਦੇ ! 2 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਨ ਦੇ ਨਢਾਲ ਹੋਣ ਤੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਬੰਨੇ ਤੋਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰਾਂਗਾ, ਤੂੰ ਉਸ ਚੱਟਾਨ ਉੱਤੇ ਜੋ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਉੱਚੀ ਹੈ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਪਹੁੰਚਾ, 3 ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੀ ਪਨਾਹ ਜੋ ਹੈਂ, ਤੂੰ ਵੈਰੀ ਦੇ ਸਨਮੁੱਖ ਇੱਕ ਤਕੜਾ ਬੁਰਜ ਹੈਂ । 4 ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਤੰਬੂ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਦਾ ਰਹਾਂਗਾ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਖੰਭਾਂ ਦੇ ਮੁੱਢ ਪਨਾਹ ਲਵਾਂਗਾ । ਸਲਹ । 5 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਸੁੱਖਣਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸੁਣਿਆ, ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੇ ਭੈ ਮੰਨਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਅਧਿਕਾਰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ । 6 ਤੂੰ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਦੀ ਉਮਰ ਨੂੰ ਵਧਾਵੇਂਗਾ, ਉਹ ਦੇ ਵਰ੍ਹੇ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀਓ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਹੋਣਗੇ । 7 ਉਹ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਸਨਮੁੱਖ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਵੱਸੇਗਾ, ਦਯਾ ਅਤੇ ਸਚਿਆਈ ਨੂੰ ਥਾਪ ਰੱਖ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਕਰਨ । 8 ਸੋ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਦਾ ਗੁਣ ਸਦਾ ਗਾਵਾਂਗਾ, ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਨਿਤਾ ਨੇਮ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਸੁੱਖਣਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪੂਰੀਆਂ ਕਰਾਂ ।
1 ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਹੀ ਅੱਗੇ ਚੁੱਪ-ਚਾਪ ਹੈ, ਮੇਰਾ ਬਚਾਓ ਉਸੇ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਹੈ । 2 ਉਹੋ ਮੇਰੀ ਚੱਟਾਨ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਬਚਾਓ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਮੇਰਾ ਉੱਚਾ ਗੜ੍ਹ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਬਹੁਤਾ ਨਾ ਡੋਲਾਂਗਾ । 3 ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਦ ਤੋੜੀ ਇੱਕ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਉੱਤੇ ਹੱਲਾ ਕਰਦੇ ਰਹੋਗੇ, ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਸਭ ਮਿਲ ਕੇ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਵੱਢ ਸੁੱਟੋ, ਜੋ ਝੁਕੀ ਹੋਈ ਕੰਧ ਤੇ ਹਿਲਦੀ ਹੋਈ ਵਾੜ ਵਰਗਾ ਹੈ ? 4 ਓਹ ਮਤਾ ਮਤਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ ਨਿਰਾ ਇਸੇ ਲਈ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਪਦਵੀ ਤੋਂ ਡੇਗ ਦੇਣ, ਓਹ ਝੂਠ ਨੂੰ ਪਸੰਦ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਮੂੰਹੋ ਤਾਂ ਓਹ ਅਸੀਸ ਦਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ ਪਰ ਅੰਦਰੋਂ ਸਰਾਪ ਦਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ । ਸਲਹ । 5 ਹੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ, ਤੂੰ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੀ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਚੁੱਪ-ਚਾਪ ਰਹਿ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੇਰੀ ਤਾਂਘ ਉਸੇ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਹੈ । 6 ਉਹੋ ਮੇਰੀ ਚੱਟਾਨ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਬਚਾਓ ਹੈ, ਉਹੋ ਮੇਰਾ ਉੱਚਾ ਗੜ੍ਹ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਨਾ ਡੋਲਾਂਗਾ । 7 ਮੇਰਾ ਬਚਾਓ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਪਰਤਾਪ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਕਾਇਮ ਹੈ, ਮੇਰੇ ਬਲ ਦੀ ਚੱਟਾਨ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਪਨਾਹ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ । 8 ਹੇ ਪਰਜਾ, ਹਰ ਵੇਲੇ ਉਸ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖੋ, ਆਪਣਾ ਮਨ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਖੋਲ ਦਿਓ, ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਸਾਡੀ ਪਨਾਹ ਹੈ । ਸਲਹ । 9 ਨੀਚ ਲੋਕ ਸਾਹ ਹੀ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਉੱਚੀ ਪਦਵੀ ਵਾਲੇ ਮਿਥਿਆ ਹਨ, ਤੱਕੜ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹ ਉਤਾਹਾਂ ਚੜ੍ਹ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਸਾਹ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਹਲਕੇ ਹਨ । 10 ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਨਾ ਰੱਖੋ, ਨਾ ਲੁੱਟ ਮਾਰ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਫੂੰ-ਫੂੰ ਕਰੋ, ਧਨ ਸੰਪਤ ਜੇ ਵਧ ਜਾਵੇ ਤਾਂ ਉਸ ਉੱਤੇ ਮਨ ਨਾ ਲਾਓ । 11 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਇੱਕੋ ਵਾਰ ਬੋਲਿਆ, ਸਗੋਂ ਦੋ ਵਾਰੀ ਮੈਂ ਇਹ ਸੁਣਿਆ, ਕਿ ਸਮਰੱਥਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੀ ਹੈ । 12 ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਦਯਾ ਵੀ ਤੇਰੀ ਹੀ ਹੈ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਹਰ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਨੂੰ ਉਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਕੀਤੀਆਂ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਫਲ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈਂ ।
1 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੈਂ, ਮੈਂ ਦਿਲ ਤੋਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਭਾਲਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਤੇਰੀ ਤਿਹਾਈ ਹੈ, ਮੇਰਾ ਸਰੀਰ ਤੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਤਰਸਦਾ ਹੈ, ਸੁੱਕੀ ਅਤੇ ਬੰਜਰ ਧਰਤੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਿੱਥੇ ਪਾਣੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ । 2 ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਸਥਾਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੇਰਾ ਦਰਸ਼ਣ ਪਾਇਆ, ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰਾ ਬਲ ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਵੇਖਾਂ । 3 ਇਸ ਲਈ ਕਿ ਤੇਰੀ ਦਯਾ ਜੀਵਨ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਵੀ ਚੰਗੀ ਹੈ, ਮੇਰੇ ਬੁੱਲ੍ਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰਨਗੇ । 4 ਸੋ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਜੀਵਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਆਖਾਂਗਾ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰਾ ਨਾਮ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਹੱਥ ਪਸਾਰਾਂਗਾ । 5 ਜਿਵੇਂ ਚਰਬੀ ਤੇ ਥਿੰਧਿਆਈ ਨਾਲ ਮੇਰਾ ਜੀਅ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਜੈਕਾਰਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਬੁੱਲ੍ਹਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਮੇਰਾ ਮੇਰਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੇਗਾ, 6 ਜਿਸ ਵੇਲੇ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਵਿਛਾਉਣੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਯਾਦ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਅਤੇ ਰਾਤ ਦੇ ਪਹਿਰਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੇਰਾ ਧਿਆਨ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 7 ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਹਾਇਕ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈਂ, ਤੇਰੇ ਖੰਭਾਂ ਦੀ ਛਾਂ ਹੇਠ ਮੈਂ ਜੈਕਾਰੇ ਗਜਾਵਾਂਗਾ । 8 ਮੇਰਾ ਜੀਅ ਤੇਰੇ ਪਿੱਛੇ-ਪਿੱਛੇ ਲੱਗਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ, ਤੇਰਾ ਸੱਜਾ ਹੱਥ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸੰਭਾਲਦਾ ਹੈ । 9 ਜਿਹੜੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਦੀ ਬਰਬਾਦੀ ਚਾਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਹੇਠਲੇ ਥਾਵਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਚੱਲੇ ਜਾਣਗੇ । 10 ਓਹ ਤਲਵਾਰ ਦੇ ਹਵਾਲੇ ਕੀਤੇ ਜਾਣਗੇ, ਓਹ ਗਿੱਦੜਾਂ ਦੇ ਹਿੱਸੇ ਆਉਣਗੇ । 11 ਪਰ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ, ਹਰੇਕ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਸਹੁੰ ਖਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਮਾਣ ਕਰੇਗਾ, ਪਰ ਛਲੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਬੰਦ ਕੀਤੇ ਜਾਣਗੇ ।
1 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੇਰੀ ਫਰਿਆਦ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਸੁਣ, ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਵੈਰੀ ਦੇ ਡਰ ਤੋਂ ਛੁਡਾ । 2 ਬਦਕਾਰਾਂ ਦੇ ਗੁਪਤ ਮਤੇ ਤੋਂ ਅਤੇ ਕੁਕਰਮੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਹਲਚਲ ਤੋਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਲੁਕਾ, 3 ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਜੀਭ ਤਲਵਾਰ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਤਿੱਖੀ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਕੌੜੇ ਬਚਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਤੀਰਾਂ ਦਾ ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨਾ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ, 4 ਕਿ ਗੁਪਤ ਥਾਵਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੰਪੂਰਨ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਉੱਤੇ ਚਲਾਉਣ, ਓਹ ਅਚਾਨਕ ਚਲਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਡਰਦੇ ਨਹੀਂ । 5 ਓਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ ਬੁਰੀ ਗੱਲ ਲਈ ਤਕੜਿਆਂ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਫੰਦੇ ਲੁਕਾਉਣ ਦਾ ਉਪਾਓ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਆਖਦੇ ਹਨ, ਭਲਾ, ਕੌਣ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੇਖੇਗਾ ? 6 ਓਹ ਸ਼ਰਾਰਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਭਾਲਦੇ ਹਨ, "ਅਸੀਂ ਇੱਕ ਪੱਕਾ ਖੋਜ ਕੱਢਿਆ ਹੈ !" ਅਤੇ ਹਰੇਕ ਦਾ ਅੰਦਰਲਾ ਦਿਲ ਡੂੰਘਾ ਹੈ । 7 ਪਰ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਅਚਾਨਕ ਤੀਰ ਚਲਾਵੇਗਾ, ਓਹ ਫੱਟੜ ਹੋ ਜਾਣਗੇ, 8 ਓਹ ਠੇਡੇ ਖਾਣਗੇ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਰਸਨਾ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਹੀ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ, ਸਭ ਵੇਖਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਭੱਜ ਜਾਣਗੇ । 9 ਸਾਰੇ ਆਦਮੀ ਡਰਨਗੇ, ਅਤੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦਾ ਕੰਮ ਦੱਸਣਗੇ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਜ ਉੱਤੇ ਧਿਆਨ ਕਰਨਗੇ । 10 ਧਰਮੀ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਰਨ ਆਵੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਸਿੱਧੇ ਮਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਕਰਨਗੇ ।
1 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਸੀਯੋਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਸਬਰ ਹੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਸੁੱਖਣਾ ਪੂਰੀ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾਵੇਗੀ । 2 ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾ ਦੇ ਸੁਣਨ ਵਾਲੇ, ਸਾਰੇ ਬਸ਼ਰ ਤੇਰੇ ਕੋਲ ਆਉਣਗੇ । 3 ਬੁਰੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਪਰਬਲ ਹੁੰਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ, ਤੂੰ ਸਾਡੇ ਅਪਰਾਧਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੱਜ ਲਵੇਂਗਾ । 4 ਧੰਨ ਹੈ ਉਹ ਜਿਹ ਨੂੰ ਤੂੰ ਚੁਣਦਾ ਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਨੇੜੇ ਲਿਆਉਂਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਕਿ ਉਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਦਰਬਾਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਹੇ, — ਅਸੀਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਭਵਨ ਅਰਥਾਤ ਤੇਰੀ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਹੈਕਲ ਦੀ ਭਲਿਆਈ ਨਾਲ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤ ਹੋਵਾਂਗੇ । 5 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਸਾਡੇ ਮੁਕਤੀਦਾਤੇ, ਤੂੰ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਚਹੁੰ ਕੂਟਾਂ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਦੂਰ ਦੇ ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਆਸ਼ਾ ਹੈਂ, ਤੂੰ ਧਰਮ ਨਾਲ ਭਿਆਣਕ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਦੇ ਦੁਆਰਾ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦੇਵੇਂਗਾ ! 6 ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਸ਼ਕਤੀ ਨਾਲ ਪਹਾੜਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦ੍ਰਿੜ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਤੇਰਾ ਲੱਕ ਬਲ ਨਾਲ ਬੰਨਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ । 7 ਤੂੰ ਸਮੁੰਦਰਾਂ ਦੇ ਰੌਲੇ ਨੂੰ ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਠਾਠਾਂ ਦੇ ਰੌਲੇ ਨੂੰ ਅਤੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦੀ ਹਲਚਲ ਨੂੰ ਥਮ੍ਹਾ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈਂ, 8 ਨਾਲੇ ਓੜਕ ਦੀਆਂ ਹੱਦਾਂ ਦੇ ਵਾਸੀ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਡਰ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਤੂੰ ਸਵੇਰ ਤੇ ਸੰਝ ਦੇ ਆਉਣ ਤੋਂ ਜੈਕਾਰਾ ਗਜਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈਂ । 9 ਤੂੰ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੀ ਸੁੱਧ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਰੇਲ ਪੇਲ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਦੱਬ ਕੇ ਹਰਿਆ ਭਰਿਆ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੀ ਨਦੀ ਪਾਣੀ ਨਾਲ ਭਰੀ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ, ਇਸੇ ਤਰਾਂ ਧਰਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਤਿਆਰ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਲਈ ਅੰਨ ਤਿਆਰ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈਂ । 10 ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਸਿਆੜਾਂ ਦੀ ਡੰਝ ਲਾਹ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਵੱਟਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪੱਧਰੀਆਂ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਮੀਂਹ ਨਾਲ ਨਰਮ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਪੁੰਗਰਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਰਕਤ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈਂ । 11 ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਨੇਕੀ ਦਾ ਮੁਕਟ ਸਾਲ ਦੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਧਰਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਲੀਹਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਚਿਕਨਾਈ ਚੋਂਦੀ ਹੈ । 12 ਉਜਾੜ ਦੀਆਂ ਜੂਹਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਉਹ ਚੋਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਪਹਾੜੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਲੱਕ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਨਾਲ ਬੱਧੇ ਹੋਏ ਹਨ । 13 ਜੂਹਾਂ ਇੱਜੜ ਨਾਲ ਕੱਜੀਆਂ ਗਈਆਂ, ਦੂਣਾ ਅੰਨ ਨਾਲ ਢੱਕੀਆਂ ਗਈਆਂ, ਓਹ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਦੇ ਲਲਕਾਰੇ ਮਾਰਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਗਾਉਂਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ ।
1 ਹੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਲੋਕੋ, ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਲਲਕਾਰੋ, 2 ਉਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਦੇ ਭਜਨ ਕੀਰਤਨ ਕਰੋ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੋ ! 3 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੂੰ ਆਖੋ, ਵਾਹ, ਤੇਰੇ ਕੰਮ ਕੇਡੇ ਡਰਾਉਣੇ ਹਨ ! ਤੇਰੀ ਮਹਾ ਸਮਰੱਥਾ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਤੇਰੇ ਵੈਰੀ ਤੇਰੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਹਿਚਕ ਕੇ ਆਉਣਗੇ ! 4 ਸਾਰੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਲੋਕ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਮੱਥਾ ਟੇਕਣਗੇ ਤੇ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਗਾਉਣਗੇ, ਓਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੇ ਭਜਨ ਗਾਉਣਗੇ । ਸਲਹ । 5 ਆਓ, ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੇਖੋ, ਆਦਮ ਵੰਸੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਵੱਲ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਕਰਨੀ ਭਿਆਣਕ ਹੈ । 6 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਨੂੰ ਥਲ ਬਣਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਓਹ ਦਰਿਆ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਸੁੱਕੀਂ ਪੈਰੀਂ ਲੰਘ ਗਏ, ਉੱਥੇ ਅਸੀਂ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਿਹਾਲ ਹੋਏ । 7 ਉਹ ਆਪਣੀ ਸਮਰੱਥਾ ਨਾਲ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਰਾਜ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਵੱਲ ਲੱਗੀਆਂ ਰਹਿੰਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ, ਆਕੀ ਲੋਕ ਸਿਰ ਨਾ ਚੁੱਕਣਗੇ ! । ਸਲਹ । 8 ਹੇ ਲੋਕੋ, ਸਾਡੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੂੰ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਆਖੋ, ਉਹ ਦੇ ਜਸ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਸੁਣਾਓ, 9 ਜਿਸ ਨੇ ਸਾਡੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਜਿਉਂਦਿਆਂ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਡੇ ਪੈਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਡੋਲਣ ਨਹੀਂ ਦਿੱਤਾ । 10 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਤੂੰ ਤਾਂ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਪਰਖਿਆ ਹੈ, ਤੂੰ ਚਾਂਦੀ ਦੇ ਤਾਉਣ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਤਾਇਆ ਹੈ । 11 ਤੂੰ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਜਾਲ਼ ਵਿੱਚ ਲਿਆਇਆ, ਤੂੰ ਸਾਡੇ ਲੱਕਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਡਾਢਾ ਭਾਰ ਪਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ ! 12 ਤੂੰ ਮਨੁੱਖਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਾਡੇ ਸਿਰਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਚੜ੍ਹਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ, ਅਸੀਂ ਅੱਗ ਅਤੇ ਪਾਣੀ ਦੇ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਦੀ ਲੰਘੇ, ਪਰ ਤੂੰ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਭਰਿਆ ਥਾਵਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਹੁੰਚਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ । 13 ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਭਵਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੋਮ ਦੀਆਂ ਬਲੀਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਆਵਾਂਗਾ, ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਸੁੱਖਣਾਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਪੂਰੀਆਂ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, 14 ਜਿਹੜੀਆਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਬੁੱਲ੍ਹਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਨਿੱਕਲੀਆਂ, ਅਤੇ ਸੰਕਟ ਦੇ ਵੇਲੇ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਮੂੰਹੋਂ ਮੰਨੀਆ । 15 ਮੈਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਹੋਮ ਦੀਆਂ ਬਲੀਆਂ ਲਈ ਮੋਟੇ-ਮੋਟੇ ਪਸੂਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਛੱਤਰਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਧੂਪ ਨਾਲ ਚੜਾਵਾਂਗਾ । ਸਲਹ । 16 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦਾ ਭੈ ਰੱਖਣ ਵਾਲਿਓ, ਆਓ, ਸੁਣੋ, ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਦੱਸਾਂਗਾ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਲਈ ਕੀ ਕੁੱਝ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ । 17 ਮੈਂ ਮੂੰਹੋਂ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਰਸਨਾ ਤੋਂ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਸਲਾਹਿਆ । 18 ਜੇ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਦੀ ਰੱਖਦਾ, ਤਾਂ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਮੇਰੀ ਨਾ ਸੁਣਦਾ । 19 ਪਰ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੇ ਸੱਚ-ਮੁੱਚ ਸੁਣਿਆ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਵੱਲ ਕੰਨ ਲਾਇਆ ਹੈ । 20 ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਹੈ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਜਿਸ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾ ਨੂੰ ਰੱਦ ਨਾ ਕੀਤਾ, ਨਾ ਆਪਣੀ ਦਯਾ ਨੂੰ ਮੈਥੋਂ ਰੋਕਿਆ ।
1 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਸਾਡੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਦਯਾ ਕਰੇ ਅਤੇ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਬਰਕਤ ਦੇਵੇ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਮੁਖੜਾ ਸਾਡੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਚਮਕਾਵੇ । ਸਲਹ । 2 ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਤੇਰਾ ਰਾਹ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ, ਤੇਰੀ ਮੁਕਤੀ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਾਣੀ ਜਾਵੇ । 3 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਲੋਕ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਸਲਾਹੁਣ, ਸਾਰੇ ਲੋਕ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਸਲਾਹੁਣ ! 4 ਉੱਮਤਾਂ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਣ ਅਤੇ ਲਲਕਾਰਨ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦਾ ਧਰਮ ਨਾਲ ਨਿਆਂ ਕਰੇਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਉੱਮਤਾਂ ਦੀ ਅਗਵਾਈ ਕਰੇਂਗਾ । ਸਲਹ । 5 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਲੋਕ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਸਲਾਹੁਣ, ਸਾਰੇ ਲੋਕ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਸਲਾਹੁਣ ! 6 ਭੋਂ ਨੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਹਾਸਿਲ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ, ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਹਾਂ, ਸਾਡਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਬਰਕਤ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ । 7 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਬਰਕਤ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਚਾਰੇ ਕੂੰਟਾਂ ਉਸ ਦਾ ਭੈ ਮੰਨਣਗੀਆਂ ! ।
1 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਉੱਠੇ, ਉਹ ਦੇ ਵੈਰੀ ਛਿੰਨ ਭਿੰਨ ਹੋ ਜਾਣ, ਅਤੇ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਉਸ ਨਾਲ ਖਹਿ ਰੱਖਦੇ ਹਨ ਓਹ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੋਂ ਨੱਸ ਜਾਣ ! 2 ਜਿਵੇਂ ਧੂੰਆਂ ਉੱਡ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਤਿਵੇਂ ਤੂੰ ਓਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਉਡਾ ਦੇ, ਅਤੇ ਜਿਵੇਂ ਅੱਗ ਦੇ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਮੋਮ ਪੰਘਰ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਤਿਵੇਂ ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਸਾਹਮਣਿਓਂ ਨਾਸ ਹੋ ਜਾਣ ! 3 ਪਰ ਧਰਮੀ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਣ, ਓਹ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਬਾਗ ਬਾਗ ਹੋਣ, ਓਹ ਅਨੰਦਤਾਈ ਨਾਲ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਮਨਾਉਣ ! 4 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਲਈ ਗਾਓ, ਉਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੇ ਭਜਨ ਗਾਓ, ਥਲਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਵਾਰ ਲਈ ਇੱਕ ਸ਼ਾਹੀ ਸੜਕ ਬਣਾਓ, ਉਹ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਯਾਹ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਬਾਗ ਬਾਗ ਹੋ ਜਾਓ ! 5 ਯਤੀਮਾਂ ਦਾ ਪਿਤਾ ਅਤੇ ਵਿਧਵਾ ਦਾ ਨਿਆਂ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਨਿਵਾਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ । 6 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਇਕੱਲੇ ਨੂੰ ਘਰਾਣੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਵਸਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਗ਼ੁਲਾਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਭਾਗਵਾਨੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਿਕਾਲਦਾ ਹੈ, ਪਰ ਆਕੀ ਸੁੱਕੀ ਸੜੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੀ ਵੱਸਦੇ ਹਨ । 7 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਜਦ ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ-ਅੱਗੇ ਤੁਰਿਆ, ਜਦ ਤੂੰ ਥਲ ਦੇ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਦੀ ਲੰਘ ਗਿਆ, । ਸਲਹ । 8 ਤਦ ਧਰਤੀ ਕੰਬ ਉੱਠੀ, ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਵੀ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਚੋ ਪਏ, ਉੱਥੇ ਸੀਨਈ ਵੀ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਕੰਬ ਉੱਠੀ । 9 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਤੂੰ ਡਾਢੀ ਵਰਖਾ ਵਰ੍ਹਾਈ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਿਰਾਸ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਂ ਉਹ ਥੱਕੀ ਹੋਈ ਸੀ ਕਾਇਮ ਕੀਤਾ । 10 ਤੇਰੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਉਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੱਸੀ, ਤੂੰ, ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਆਪਣੀ ਭਲਿਆਈ ਨਾਲ ਮਸਕੀਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਕੀਤੀ । 11 ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਹੁਕਮ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਖ਼ਬਰ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਵੱਡਾ ਦਲ ਹੈ, — 12 "ਸੈਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਰਾਜੇ ਨੱਠ ਜਾਂਦੇ, ਓਹ ਨੱਠ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ !" ਅਤੇ ਘਰ ਵਾਲੀ ਲੁੱਟ ਦਾ ਮਾਲ ਵੰਡਦੀ ਹੈ । 13 ਭਾਵੇਂ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਭੇਡਾਂ ਦੇ ਵਾੜਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੰਮੇ ਪਏ ਰਹੋ, ਤਾਂ ਵੀ ਖੁਮਰੀ ਦੇ ਕੁੰਦੇ ਚਾਂਦੀ ਨਾਲ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਪਰ ਪੀਲੇ ਸੋਨੇ ਨਾਲ ਮੜ੍ਹੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ । 14 ਜਦ ਸਰਬ ਸ਼ਕਤੀਮਾਨ ਨੇ ਉਸ ਥਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਾਜਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਖਿੰਡਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਤਾਂ ਜਾਣੋ, ਸਲਮੋਨ ਉੱਤੇ ਬਰਫ਼ ਪੈ ਗਈ ! 15 ਬਾਸ਼ਾਨ ਦਾ ਪਹਾੜ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦਾ ਪਹਾੜ ਹੈ, ਬਾਸ਼ਾਨ ਦਾ ਪਹਾੜ ਚੋਟੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਪਹਾੜ ਹੈ । 16 ਹੇ ਚੋਟੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਪਹਾੜੋ, ਤੁਸੀਂ ਉਸ ਪਹਾੜ ਵੱਲ ਜਿਸ ਨੂੰ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੇ ਵੱਸਣ ਲਈ ਪਸੰਦ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ ਕਿਉਂ ਈਰਖਾ ਨਾਲ ਤੱਕਦੇ ਹੋ ? ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਉਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੱਸੇਗਾ । 17 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਰਥ ਵੀਹ ਹਜ਼ਾਰ ਸਗੋਂ ਹਜ਼ਾਰਾਂ ਹਜ਼ਾਰ ਹਨ, ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ ਜਿਵੇਂ ਉਹ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਸੀਨਾਈ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ । 18 ਤੂੰ ਉਤਾਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਚੜ੍ਹਿਆ, ਤੂੰ ਬੰਧੂਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਬੰਨ ਲਿਆ, ਤੂੰ ਆਦਮੀਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਗੋਂ ਆਕੀਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੀ ਦਾਨ ਲਏ, ਕਿ ਯਾਹ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਉੱਥੇ ਵੱਸੇ । 19 ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਹੋਵੇ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਰੋਜ ਦਿਹਾੜੇ ਸਾਡਾ ਭਾਰ ਚੁੱਕ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹੋ ਸਾਡਾ ਮੁਕਤੀਦਾਤਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੈ ! । ਸਲਹ । 20 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਸਾਡੇ ਲਈ ਬਚਾਵਾਂ ਦਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੈ, ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਹੀ ਮੌਤ ਤੋਂ ਰਿਹਾਈ ਹੈ । 21 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਜ਼ਰੂਰ ਆਪਣੇ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਸਿਰ ਨੂੰ, ਨਾਲੇ ਖੁਲ੍ਹੇ ਦੋਸ਼ੀ ਦੇ ਵਾਲਾਂ ਵਾਲੀ ਖੋਪਰੀ ਨੂੰ ਭੰਨ ਸੁੱਟੇਗਾ ! 22 ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਨੇ ਫਰਮਾਇਆ ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਾਸ਼ਾਨ ਤੋਂ ਮੋੜ ਲਿਆਵਾਂਗਾ, ਮੈਂ ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਦੀਆਂ ਡੂੰਘਿਆਈਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਮੋੜ ਲਿਆਵਾਂਗਾ, 23 ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਪੈਰ ਨੂੰ ਲਹੂ ਵਿੱਚ ਡੋਬੇਂ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਕੁੱਤਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਜੀਭ ਦਾ ਲੁਕਮਾ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਹੋਵੇ ! 24 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਜਲੂਸ ਨੂੰ ਵੇਖਿਆ, ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਸਥਾਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੇਰੇ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਦੇ ਜਲੂਸ ਨੂੰ । 25 ਗਵਈਏ ਅੱਗੇ-ਅੱਗੇ ਅਤੇ ਵਜੰਤਰੀ ਪਿੱਛੇ-ਪਿੱਛੇ ਚੱਲਦੇ, ਜੁਆਨ ਤੀਵੀਆਂ ਵਿਚਕਾਰ ਡੱਫਾਂ ਵਜਾਉਂਦੀਆਂ ਜਾਂਦੀਆਂ ਸਨ । 26 ਤੁਸੀਂ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਦੇ ਸੋਤੇ ਤੋਂ ਹੋ, ਸੰਗਤਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੂੰ ਧੰਨ ਆਖੋ ! 27 ਉੱਥੇ ਛੋਟਾ ਬਿਨਯਾਮੀਨ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਹਾਕਮ ਹੈ, ਯਹੂਦਾਹ ਦੇ ਸਰਦਾਰ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਟੋਲੀਆਂ ਸਣੇ, ਜਬੂਲਨ ਦੇ ਸਰਦਾਰ ਅਤੇ ਨਫਤਾਲੀ ਦੇ ਸਰਦਾਰ ਵੀ । 28 ਤੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਬਲ ਦੀ ਆਗਿਆ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੈ, ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਜੋ ਕੁੱਝ ਤੂੰ ਸਾਡੇ ਲਈ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਦ੍ਰਿੜ੍ਹ ਕਰ ! 29 ਤੇਰੀ ਹੈਕਲ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਜੋ ਯਰੂਸ਼ਲਮ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ ਰਾਜੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਭੇਟ ਲਿਆਉਣਗੇ । 30 ਕਾਨਿਆ ਦੇ ਦਰਿੰਦੇ ਨੂੰ ਝਿੜਕ ਦੇ, ਨਾਲੇ ਸਾਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਵੱਗ ਨੂੰ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦੇ ਵੱਛਿਆਂ ਸਣੇ, ਜਿਹੜੇ ਚਾਂਦੀ ਦੇ ਟੁਕੜੇ ਮਿੱਧਦੇ ਹਨ ! ਜਿਹੜੇ ਲੋਕ ਲੜਾਈ ਪਸੰਦ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਹ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਖਿੰਡਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ । 31 ਮਿਸਰ ਤੋਂ ਰਈਸ ਆਉਣਗੇ, ਕੂਸ਼ ਸ਼ਿਤਾਬੀ ਆਪਣੇ ਹੱਥ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਵੱਲ ਪਸਾਰੇਗਾ । 32 ਹੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੀਓ ਰਾਜ ਧਾਨੀਓ, ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਲਈ ਗਾਓ, ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਲਈ ਭਜਨ ਕੀਰਤਨ ਕਰੋ । ਸਲਹ । 33 ਜਿਹੜਾ ਮੁੱਢੋਂ ਅਕਾਸ਼ਾਂ ਦੇ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਉੱਤੇ ਸਵਾਰ ਹੈ, ਵੇਖੋ, ਉਹ ਆਪਣੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼, ਇੱਕ ਜ਼ੋਰ ਵਾਲੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਸੁਣਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ । 34 ਤੁਸੀਂ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੀ ਸਮਰੱਥਾ ਨੂੰ ਮੰਨੋ, ਉਹ ਦਾ ਪਰਤਾਪ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਉੱਤੇ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਸਮਰੱਥਾ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਮੰਡਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ । 35 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣਿਆਂ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਥਾਵਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਭਿਆਣਕ ਹੈਂ, ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਦਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਉਹੋ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੈ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਨੂੰ ਸਮਰੱਥਾ ਅਤੇ ਸ਼ਕਤੀ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ । ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਹੋਵੇ ! ।
1 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਚਾ ਲੈ, ਪਾਣੀ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਤੱਕ ਜੋ ਆਏ ਹਨ ! 2 ਮੈਂ ਡਾਢੇ ਚਿੱਕੜ ਵਿੱਚ ਧਸ ਚੱਲਿਆ ਹਾਂ, ਜਿੱਥੇ ਖਲੋਤਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਂਦਾ, ਮੈਂ ਡੂੰਘੇ ਪਾਣੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਪੈ ਗਿਆ, ਜਿੱਥੇ ਹੜ੍ਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੋਂ ਦੀ ਲੰਘਦਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ । 3 ਮੈਂ ਪੁਕਾਰਦਾ ਪੁਕਾਰਦਾ ਥੱਕ ਗਿਆ, ਮੇਰਾ ਸੰਘ ਬਹਿ ਗਿਆ, ਆਪਣੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੂੰ ਉਡੀਕਦਿਆਂ ਉਡੀਕਦਿਆਂ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਅੱਖੀਆਂ ਰਹਿ ਗਈਆਂ ! 4 ਜਿਹੜੇ ਧਿਗਾਣੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਵੈਰ ਰੱਖਦੇ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਿਰ ਦੇ ਵਾਲਾਂ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਵੀ ਬਹੁਤ ਹਨ, ਮੇਰੇ ਵਾਢੂ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਨਹੱਕ ਮੇਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਵੈਰ ਰੱਖਦੇ ਹਨ ਬਲਵੰਤ ਹਨ, ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਲੁੱਟਿਆ, ਓਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮੋੜਨਾ ਪਿਆ । 5 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੀ ਮੂਰਖਤਾਈ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਉਪੱਦਰ ਤੈਥੋਂ ਲੁੱਕੇ ਹੋਏ ਨਹੀਂ । 6 ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਸੈਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਜਿਹੜੇ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਉਡੀਕਦੇ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਲੱਜਿਆਵਾਨ ਨਾ ਹੋਣ ! ਹੇ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਭਾਲਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਮੂੰਹ ਕਾਲੇ ਨਾ ਹੋਣ ! । 7 ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਹੀ ਕਾਰਨ ਨਿੰਦਾ ਸਹੀ, ਲਾਜ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਨੂੰ ਢੱਕ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ । 8 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਭਰਾਵਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਗਾਨਾ, ਅਤੇ ਮਾਂ ਜਾਇਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਗੈਰ ਹੋਇਆ ਹਾਂ, 9 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੇਰੇ ਘਰ ਦੀ ਗੈਰਤ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਖਾ ਗਈ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਿੰਦਕਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਨਿੰਦਿਆਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਆ ਪਈਆਂ । 10 ਜਦ ਮੈਂ ਰੋ-ਰੋ ਕੇ ਅਤੇ ਵਰਤ ਰੱਖ ਕੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਖਪਾਇਆ, ਤਾਂ ਇਹ ਵੀ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਨਿੰਦਿਆ ਦਾ ਕਾਰਨ ਹੋਇਆ ! 11 ਜਦ ਮੈਂ ਤੱਪੜ ਆਪਣਾ ਬਿਸਤਰ ਬਣਾਇਆ, ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਕਹਾਉਤ ਬਣਿਆ । 12 ਫਾਟਕ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਹਿਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਚਰਚਾ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਸ਼ਰਾਬੀ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਸਿੱਠਾਂ ਜੋੜਦੇ ਹਨ । 13 ਪਰ ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੇਰੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾ ਠੀਕ ਵੇਲੇ ਸਿਰ ਤੇਰੇ ਹੀ ਅੱਗੇ ਹੈ, ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਆਪਣੀ ਡਾਢੀ ਦਯਾ ਨਾਲ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਸੱਚੇ ਬਚਾਓ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦੇ । 14 ਮੈਨੂੰ ਚਿੱਕੜ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਕੱਢ ਲੈ ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਖੁੱਭ ਨਾ ਜਾਂਵਾਂ, ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਅਤੇ ਡੂੰਘੇ ਪਾਣੀਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਛੁਡਾਇਆ ਜਾਂਵਾਂ ! 15 ਪਾਣੀ ਦੀ ਛੱਲ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਨਾ ਆ ਜਾਵੇ, ਨਾ ਡੂੰਘ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਨਿਗਲੇ, ਨਾ ਗੋਰ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਮੀਟ ਲਵੇ ! 16 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦੇ ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੇਰੀ ਦਯਾ ਭਲੀ ਹੈ, ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਬੇਓੜਕ ਰਹਮਤਾਂ ਦੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਮੇਰੀ ਵੱਲ ਮੂੰਹ ਕਰ, 17 ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਦਾਸ ਤੋਂ ਆਪਣਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਨਾ ਲੁਕਾ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਡਾਢਾ ਔਖਾ ਹਾਂ ! ਛੇਤੀ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦੇ । 18 ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਦੇ ਨੇੜੇ ਆ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਛੁਟਕਾਰਾ ਦੇ ! 19 ਮੇਰੀ ਨਿੰਦਿਆ, ਮੇਰੀ ਲਾਜ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਬੇਪਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਤੂੰ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਮੇਰੇ ਸਭ ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਤੇਰੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਹਨ । 20 ਨਿੰਦਿਆ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਮੇਰਾ ਦਿਲ ਟੁੱਟ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਮਾਂਦਾ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ, ਮੈਂ ਦਿਲਾਸਾ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਉਡੀਕਦਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਪਰ ਕੋਈ ਹੈ ਨਹੀਂ ਸੀ, ਅਤੇ ਧੀਰਜ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲੇ, ਪਰ ਓਹ ਵੀ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਨਾ ਮਿਲੇ । 21 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਖਾਣ ਲਈ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਪਿੱਤ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਹ ਦੇ ਵੇਲੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਿਰਕਾ ਪਿਆਇਆ । 22 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਮੇਜ਼ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਫਾਹੀ ਬਣ ਜਾਵੇ, ਅਤੇ ਜਦ ਓਹ ਸੁੱਖ-ਸਾਂਦ ਹਨ ਉਹ ਫੰਦਾ ਬਣ ਜਾਵੇ ! 23 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਅੱਖੀਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰ ਛਾ ਜਾਵੇ ਜੋ ਓਹ ਨਾ ਵੇਖਣ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਲੱਕ ਸਦਾ ਕੰਬਦੇ ਰਹਿਣ ! 24 ਆਪਣਾ ਰੋਹ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਢਾਲ ਦੇ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਦੀ ਤੇਜ਼ੀ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਫੜ ਲਵੇ ! 25 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਡੇਰਾ ਉੱਜੜ ਜਾਵੇ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਤੰਬੂਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਕੋਈ ਨਾ ਵੱਸੇ, 26 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਓਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਮਾਰੇ ਹੋਏ ਦਾ ਪਿੱਛਾ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਘਾਇਲ ਕਿਤੇ ਹੋਇਆਂ ਦੇ ਦੁੱਖ ਦੀ ਚਰਚਾ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ ! 27 ਤੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਬਦੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਬਦੀ ਵਧਾ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਧਰਮ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਉਣ ਨਾ ਦੇ ! 28 ਓਹ ਜੀਵਨ ਦੀ ਪੋਥੀ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਮੇਟ ਦਿੱਤੇ ਜਾਣ, ਅਤੇ ਧਰਮੀਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਲਿਖੇ ਨਾ ਜਾਣ ! । 29 ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਅਧੀਨ ਅਤੇ ਦੁਖੀ ਹਾਂ, ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਤੇਰਾ ਬਚਾਓ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉੱਚਾ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਖਲ੍ਹਿਆਰੇ । 30 ਮੈਂ ਗੀਤ ਨਾਲ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਨਾਲ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, 31 ਅਤੇ ਇਹ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਬਲਦ ਨਾਲੋਂ, ਸਗੋਂ ਸਿੰਙ ਵਾਲੇ ਅਤੇ ਖੁਰ ਦਾਰ ਵੱਛੇ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਬਹੁਤਾ ਭਾਵੇਗਾ । 32 ਅਧੀਨ ਇਹ ਵੇਖ ਕੇ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਤਾਲਿਬੋ, ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਮਨ ਜਿਉਂਦਾ ਰਹੇ ! 33 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਤਾਂ ਕੰਗਾਲਾਂ ਦੀ ਸੁਣਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਗ਼ੁਲਾਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤੁੱਛ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਣਦਾ । 34 ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਅਤੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰਨ, ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਵੀ ਅਤੇ ਜੋ ਕੁੱਝ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਚੱਲਦਾ ਫਿਰਦਾ ਹੈ ! 35 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਸੀਯੋਨ ਨੂੰ ਬਚਾਵੇਗਾ ਅਤੇ ਯਹੂਦਾਹ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਹਿਰ ਬਣਾਵੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਓਹ ਉੱਥੇ ਵੱਸਣਗੇ ਤੇ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਕਬਜ਼ੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਰੱਖਣਗੇ, 36 ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਦਾਸਾਂ ਦੀ ਅੰਸ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਵਾਰਸ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰੇਮੀ ਉਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੱਸਣਗੇ ।
1 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੇਰੇ ਛੁਟਕਾਰੇ ਦੇ ਲਈ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੇਰੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਛੇਤੀ ਕਰ ! 2 ਜਿਹੜੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਦੇ ਗਾਹਕ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਲੱਜਿਆਵਾਨ ਹੋਣ ਅਤੇ ਘਾਬਰ ਜਾਣ, ਜਿਹੜੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਬੁਰਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਪਿਛਾਂਹ ਹਟਾਏ ਜਾਣ ਤੇ ਸ਼ਰਮਿੰਦੇ ਹੋਣ ! 3 ਜਿਹੜੇ "ਆਹਾ, ਆਹਾ !" ਕਹਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਆਪਣੀ ਲਾਜ ਦੇ ਮਾਰੇ ਪਿਛਾਂਹ ਹਟ ਜਾਣ ! 4 ਜਿੰਨੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਤਾਲਿਬ ਹਨ ਓਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਖੁਸ਼ ਤੇ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਣ, ਅਤੇ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਮੁਕਤੀ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰੇਮੀ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਸਦਾ ਆਖਦੇ ਰਹਿਣ ਕਿ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਹੋਵੇ ! 5 ਮੈਂ ਤਾਂ ਮਸਕੀਨ ਅਤੇ ਕੰਗਾਲ ਹਾਂ, ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਛੇਤੀ ਕਰ, ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਹਾਇਕ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਛੁਡਾਉਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈਂ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਢਿੱਲ ਨਾ ਲਾ ! ।
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਸ਼ਰਨ ਆਇਆ ਹਾਂ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਕਦੇ ਲੱਜਿਆਵਾਨ ਨਾ ਹੋਣ ਦੇ ! 2 ਆਪਣੇ ਧਰਮ ਨਾਲ ਮੇਰਾ ਛੁਟਕਾਰਾ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾ, ਮੇਰੀ ਵੱਲ ਕੰਨ ਲਾ ਕੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਚਾ ! 3 ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਨਿਵਾਸ ਦੀ ਚੱਟਾਨ ਬਣ ਜਿੱਥੇ ਮੈਂ ਹਰ ਰੋਜ ਜਾਇਆ ਕਰਾਂ, ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਬਚਾਓ ਦੀ ਆਗਿਆ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਹੈ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਮੇਰੀ ਚੱਟਾਨ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਗੜ੍ਹ ਹੈਂ । 4 ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਦੇ ਹੱਥੋਂ ਅਤੇ ਕੁਧਰਮੀ ਤੇ ਜ਼ਾਲਿਮ ਦੇ ਪੰਜਿਓਂ ਛੁਡਾ ! 5 ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਮੇਰੀ ਆਸ ਹੈਂ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਵਾਨੀ ਤੋਂ ਮੇਰਾ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਹੈ । 6 ਮੈਂ ਜਨਮ ਤੋਂ ਹੀ ਤੇਰੇ ਦੁਆਰਾ ਸੰਭਾਲਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹਾਂ, ਮੇਰੀ ਮਾਤਾ ਦੀ ਕੁੱਖ ਤੋਂ ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਕੱਢਿਆ, ਮੈਂ ਸਦਾ ਤੇਰੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 7 ਮੈਂ ਬਹੁਤਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਇੱਕ ਅਚੰਭਾ ਜਿਹਾ ਬਣਿਆ, ਪਰ ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੀ ਪੱਕੀ ਪਨਾਹ ਹੈਂ । 8 ਮੇਰਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਪ੍ਰਸ਼ੰਸਾ ਨਾਲ ਸਾਰਾ ਦਿਨ ਭਰਿਆ ਰਹੇਗਾ । 9 ਬੁਢੇਪੇ ਦੇ ਸਮੇਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਤਿਆਗ ਨਾ ਦੇ, ਜਦ ਮੇਰਾ ਬਲ ਘਟੇ ਤਾਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਨਾ ਛੱਡ ! 10 ਮੇਰੇ ਵੈਰੀ ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਖੇ ਆਖਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਦੇ ਵੈਰੀ ਆਪਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਤਾ ਪਕਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ । 11 ਓਹ ਕਹਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੇ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਤਿਆਗ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਦਾ ਪਿੱਛਾ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਫੜ ਲਵੋ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਸਦਾ ਛੁਡਾਉਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਕੋਈ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ । 12 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੈਥੋਂ ਦੂਰ ਨਾ ਰਹਿ, ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੇਰੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਛੇਤੀ ਕਰ ! 13 ਜੋ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਹਨ ਓਹ ਸ਼ਰਮਿੰਦੇ ਅਤੇ ਨਾਸ ਹੋ ਜਾਣ, ਜੋ ਮੇਰਾ ਬੁਰਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ ਓਹ ਉਲਾਹਮੇ ਅਤੇ ਨਿਰਾਦਰੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਭਰ ਜਾਣ ! 14 ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਸਦਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਆਸ ਰੱਖਾਂਗਾ ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਤੇ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੀ ਜਾਂਵਾਂਗਾ । 15 ਮੇਰਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਜੀਵਨ ਭਰ ਤੇਰੇ ਧਰਮ ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਮੁਕਤੀ ਦਾ ਵਰਣਨ ਕਰੇਗਾ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਲੇਖਾ ਵੀ ਮੈਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਣ ਸਕਦਾ । 16 ਮੈਂ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਬਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਚੱਲਾਂਗਾ, ਮੈਂ ਕੇਵਲ ਤੇਰੇ ਹੀ ਧਰਮ ਦਾ ਜ਼ਿਕਰ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 17 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਜਵਾਨੀ ਤੋਂ ਸਿਖਾਇਆ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਹੁਣ ਤੱਕ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਅਨੋਖੇ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦੱਸਦਾ ਰਿਹਾ । 18 ਸੋ ਬੁਢੇਪੇ ਤੇ ਧੌਲਿਆਂ ਤੱਕ ਵੀ, ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਨਾ ਤਿਆਗ, ਜਦ ਤੱਕ ਮੈਂ ਆਉਣ ਵਾਲੀ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਨੂੰ ਤੇਰਾ ਬਲ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਆਉਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਤੇਰੀ ਸਮਰੱਥਾ ਨਾ ਦੱਸਾਂ । 19 ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰਾ ਧਰਮ, ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਅੱਤ ਉੱਚਾ ਹੈ, ਤੂੰ ਵੱਡੇ-ਵੱਡੇ ਕੰਮ ਕੀਤੇ ਹਨ ! ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਤੇਰੇ ਤੁੱਲ ਕੌਣ ਹੈ ? 20 ਤੂੰ ਜਿਸ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਹੁਤ ਅਤੇ ਬੁਰੀਆਂ ਬਿਪਤਾਂ ਵਿਖਾਈਆਂ ਹਨ, ਮੁੜ ਕੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਜਿਵਾਏਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਡੂੰਘਿਆਈਆਂ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਫੇਰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉਠਾਵੇਂਗਾ । 21 ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਆਦਰ ਨੂੰ ਵਧਾ, ਅਤੇ ਮੁੜ ਕੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਦਿਲਾਸਾ ਦੇ । 22 ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੈਂ ਵੀ ਤੇਰੀ ਸਚਿਆਈ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ, ਸਤਾਰ ਵਜਾ ਕੇ ਤੇਰਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਦੇ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਪੁਰਖ, ਮੈਂ ਬਰਬਤ ਵਜਾ ਕੇ ਤੇਰਾ ਜਸ ਗਾਵਾਂਗਾ । 23 ਮੇਰੇ ਬੁੱਲ੍ਹ ਜੈਕਾਰਾ ਗਜਾਉਣਗੇ ਜਦ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰਾ ਜਸ ਗਾਵਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਵੀ ਜਿਸ ਨੂੰ ਤੂੰ ਛੁਟਕਾਰਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ । 24 ਮੇਰੀ ਜੀਭ ਵੀ ਸਾਰਾ ਦਿਨ ਤੇਰੇ ਧਰਮ ਦੀ ਚਰਚਾ ਕਰੇਗੀ, ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਬੁਰਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਲੱਜਿਆਵਾਨ ਅਤੇ ਸ਼ਰਮਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ ।
1 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਨਿਆਂ, ਅਤੇ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਦੇ ਪੁੱਤਰ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਧਰਮ ਸਿਖਾ । 2 ਉਹ ਧਰਮ ਨਾਲ ਤੇਰੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਦਾ ਅਤੇ ਇਨਸਾਫ਼ ਨਾਲ ਤੇਰੇ ਮਸਕੀਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਨਿਆਂ ਕਰੇਗਾ । 3 ਪਹਾੜ ਤੇ ਪਹਾੜੀਆਂ ਪਰਜਾ ਲਈ ਧਰਮ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਖੁਸ਼ਹਾਲੀ ਲਿਆਉਣਗੇ । 4 ਉਹ ਪਰਜਾ ਦੇ ਮਸਕੀਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਨਿਆਂ ਕਰੇਗਾ, ਉਹ ਕੰਗਾਲਾਂ ਦੇ ਬੱਚਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਚਾਵੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਜ਼ਾਲਮ ਨੂੰ ਕੁਚਲੇਂਗਾ । 5 ਜਿੰਨਾ ਚਿਰ ਸੂਰਜ ਤੇ ਚੰਦਰਮਾ ਬਣੇ ਰਹਿਣਗੇ, ਲੋਕ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀਓ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਤੇਰਾ ਭੈ ਮੰਨਦੇ ਰਹਿਣਗੇ । 6 ਉਹ ਦਾ ਉਤਰਨਾ ਵਰਖਾ ਦੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ ਜਿਹੜੀ ਵੱਢ ਹੋਏ ਘਾਹ ਉੱਤੇ ਪਵੇ, ਅਤੇ ਝੜੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਜੋ ਧਰਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਸਿੰਜਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ । 7 ਉਹ ਦੇ ਦਿਨਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਧਰਮੀ ਲਹਿ ਲਹਾਉਣਗੇ, ਅਤੇ ਜਿੰਨਾ ਚਿਰ ਚੰਦਰਮਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਨਾ ਰਹੇ ਸ਼ਾਂਤੀ ਭਰਪੂਰੀ ਨਾਲ ਵਾਸ ਕਰੇਗੀ । 8 ਉਹ ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਤੋਂ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਤੱਕ ਅਤੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਤੋਂ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਦਰਿਆ ਦੇ ਬੰਨੇ ਤੱਕ ਰਾਜ ਕਰੇਗਾ । 9 ਜੰਗਲ ਦੇ ਰਹਿਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਗੋਡੇ ਨਿਵਾਉਣਗੇ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਵੈਰੀ ਖਾਕ ਚੱਟਣਗੇ ! 10 ਤਰਸ਼ੀਸ਼ ਅਤੇ ਟਾਪੂਆਂ ਦੇ ਰਾਜੇ ਭੇਟ ਲਿਆਉਣਗੇ, ਸ਼ਬਾ ਤੇ ਸਬਾ ਦੇ ਰਾਜੇ ਨਜ਼ਰਾਨੇ ਪਹੁੰਚਾਉਣਗੇ, 11 ਸਗੋਂ ਸਾਰੇ ਰਾਜੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਮੱਥਾ ਟੇਕਣਗੇ, ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰਨਗੀਆਂ । 12 ਉਹ ਦੁਹਾਈ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਕੰਗਾਲ ਨੂੰ ਅਤੇ ਮਸਕੀਨ ਅਤੇ ਅਨਾਥ ਨੂੰ ਬਚਾਵੇਗਾ । 13 ਉਹ ਗਰੀਬ ਅਤੇ ਕੰਗਾਲ ਉੱਤੇ ਤਰਸ ਖਾਵੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਕੰਗਾਲ ਦੀਆਂ ਜਾਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਚਾਵੇਗਾ । 14 ਉਹ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਛਲ ਤੇ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰ ਤੋਂ ਛੁਟਕਾਰਾ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਲਹੂ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਨਿਗਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਹੁਮੁੱਲਾ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ, 15 ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਜਿਉਂਦਾ ਰਹੇਗਾ ਅਤੇ ਸ਼ਬਾ ਦੇ ਸੋਨੇ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਓਹ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਨਿੱਤ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾ ਕਰਨਗੇ, ਸਾਰਾ ਦਿਨ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਆਖਣਗੇ । 16 ਧਰਤੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਹਾੜਾਂ ਦੀ ਟੀਸੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਬਹੁਤਾ ਅੰਨ ਹੋਵੇ, ਉਹ ਦਾ ਫਲ ਲਬਾਨੋਨ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਝੂਮੇ, ਅਤੇ ਸ਼ਹਿਰ ਦੇ ਲੋਕ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੀ ਹਰਿਆਉਲ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਲਹਿ ਲਹਾਉਣ ! 17 ਉਹ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਸਦਾ ਰਹੇ, ਜਿੰਨਾ ਚਿਰ ਸੂਰਜ ਰਹੇ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਵਧੇ, ਅਤੇ ਲੋਕ ਉਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਰਕਤ ਪਾਉਣ, ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਧੰਨ ਆਖਣ ! । 18 ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਹੋਵੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਦਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਉਹ ਇਕੱਲਾ ਹੀ ਅਚਰਜ ਕੰਮ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, 19 ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਤੇਜਵਾਨ ਨਾਮ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਹੋਵੇ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਰੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਤੇਜ ਨਾਲ ਭਰਪੂਰ ਹੋਵੇ ! ਆਮੀਨ ਤੇ ਆਮੀਨ ! । ਯੱਸੀ ਦੇ ਪੁੱਤਰ ਦਾਊਦ ਦੀਆਂ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾਂ ਸਮਾਪਤ ਹੋਈਆਂ । 20 (ਇਸ ਨਾਲ ਯੱਸੀ ਦੇ ਪੁੱਤਰ ਦਾਊਦ ਦੀਆਂ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾ ਖ਼ਤਮ ਹੁੰਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ ।)
1 ਸੱਚ-ਮੁੱਚ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਲਈ ਅਰਥਾਤ ਖਾਲ਼ਸ ਦਿਲ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਭਲਾ ਹੈ । 2 ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਹੋ ਹਾਂ, ਮੇਰੇ ਪੈਰ ਫਿਸਲਣ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਕਦਮ ਤਿਲਕਣ ਲੱਗੇ ਸਨ । 3 ਜਦ ਮੈਂ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਦਾ ਸੁਲੱਖਪੁਣਾ ਡਿੱਠਾ, ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਹੰਕਾਰੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਖੁਣਸ ਕੀਤੀ ਸੀ । 4 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਮੌਤ ਵਿੱਚ ਤਾਂ ਪੀੜ ਨਹੀ ਹੁੰਦੀ, ਸਗੋਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਸਰੀਰ ਮੋਟਾ ਹੈ । 5 ਓਹ ਹੋਰਨਾਂ ਮਨੁੱਖਾਂ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਔਖੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦੇ, ਨਾ ਹੋਰਨਾਂ ਆਦਮੀਆਂ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਬਿਪਤਾ ਪੈਂਦੀ ਹੈ । 6 ਇਸ ਲਈ ਘਮੰਡ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਗਲੇ ਦੀ ਜੰਜੀਰ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰ ਦਾ ਲੀੜਾ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੱਜਦਾ ਹੈ । 7 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਅੱਖੀਆਂ ਚਿਕਨਾਈ ਨਾਲ ਫੁੱਲੀਆਂ ਹੋਈਆਂ ਹਨ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਮਨ ਦੇ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਛਲਕਦੇ ਹਨ । 8 ਓਹ ਠੱਠਾ ਮਾਰਦੇ ਅਤੇ ਬਦੀ ਨਾਲ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰ ਦੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਹੰਕਾਰ ਨਾਲ ਬੋਲਦੇ ਹਨ । 9 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਵਿੱਚ ਧਰਿਆ, ਪਰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਜੀਭ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਫਿਰਦੀ ਹੈ । 10 ਇਸ ਲਈ ਉਹ ਲੋਕ ਏਧਰ ਮੁੜਨਗੇ ਅਤੇ ਭਰੇ ਹੋਏ ਛੰਨ ਦਾ ਪਾਣੀ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਡੱਫਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, 11 ਅਤੇ ਓਹ ਆਖਦੇ ਹਨ, ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਕਿਸ ਤਰਾਂ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਹੈ ? ਭਲਾ, ਅੱਤ ਮਹਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਕੁੱਝ ਪਤਾ ਹੈ ? 12 ਵੇਖੋ, ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਏਹ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਓਹ ਸਦਾ ਸੁੱਖ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਹਿ ਕੇ ਧੰਨ ਜੋੜਦੇ ਹਨ ! । 13 ਸੱਚ-ਮੁੱਚ ਮੈਂ ਅਵਿਰਥਾ ਆਪਣੇ ਦਿਲ ਨੂੰ ਸ਼ੁੱਧ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਨਿਰਮਲਤਾਈ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਪਣੇ ਹੱਥ ਧੋਤੇ ਹਨ, 14 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਸਾਰਾ ਦਿਨ ਮੈਂ ਮਾਰ ਖਾਂਦਾ ਰਿਹਾ, ਅਤੇ ਹਰ ਸਵੇਰ ਨੂੰ ਮੇਰੀ ਤਾੜਨਾ ਹੋਈ । 15 ਜੇ ਮੈਂ ਆਖਦਾ ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਇਸੇ ਤਰਾਂ ਦੱਸਾਂਗਾ, ਤਾਂ ਵੇਖੋ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਬੱਚਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਨੂੰ ਧੋਖਾ ਦਿੰਦਾ । 16 ਜਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਇਸ ਨੂੰ ਸਮਝਣ ਲਈ ਸੋਚ ਕੀਤੀ, ਤਾਂ ਉਹ ਮੇਰੀ ਨਿਗਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਹੁਤ ਔਖਾ ਮਲੂਮ ਹੋਇਆ, 17 ਜਦ ਤੱਕ ਮੈਂ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਸਥਾਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਾ ਗਿਆ, - ਤਦ ਮੈਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਅੰਤ ਸਮਝਿਆ ! 18 ਸੱਚ-ਮੁੱਚ ਤੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤਿਲਕਣਿਆਂ ਥਾਵਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਰਬਾਦੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੁੱਟ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈਂ ! 19 ਓਹ ਛਿੰਨ ਮਾਤ੍ਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਿਹੋ ਜਿਹੇ ਉੱਜੜ ਗਏ ! ਓਹ ਮੁੱਕ ਗਏ, ਓਹ ਭੈਜਲ ਨਾਲ ਮਿਟ ਗਏ ਹਨ ! 20 ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਸੁਫ਼ਨੇ ਤੋਂ ਜਾਗਣ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਜਾਂ ਤੂੰ ਉਠੇਂਗਾ ਤਾਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਕਲ ਤੁੱਛ ਜਾਣੇਂਗਾ । 21 ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨ ਤਾਂ ਕੌੜਾ ਹੋਇਆ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਦਿਲ ਛੇਦਿਆ ਗਿਆ, 22 ਮੈਂ ਐਡਾ ਜਾਹਲ ਤੇ ਅਣਜਾਣ ਸੀ, ਕਿ ਤੇਰੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਪਸੂ ਜਿਹਾ ਬਣਿਆ । 23 ਫੇਰ ਮੈਂ ਸਦਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਸੰਗ ਹਾਂ, ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਸੱਜੇ ਹੱਥ ਨੂੰ ਫੜਿਆ ਹੈ । 24 ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਗੁਰਮਤੇ ਨਾਲ ਮੇਰੀ ਅਗਵਾਈ ਕਰੇਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਮਗਰੋਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਤੇਜ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਖੇਂਗਾ । 25 ਸਵਰਗ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੇਰਾ ਹੋਰ ਕੌਣ ਹੈ ? ਅਤੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਤੈਥੋਂ ਬਿਨਾ ਮੈਂ ਕਿਸੇ ਹੋਰ ਨੂੰ ਲੋਚਦਾ ਨਹੀਂ । 26 ਮੇਰਾ ਤਨ ਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨ ਢਲ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਪਰ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਸਦਾ ਲਈ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਦੀ ਚੱਟਾਨ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਭਾਗ ਹੈ । 27 ਤਾਂ ਵੇਖੋ, ਜੋ ਤੈਥੋਂ ਦੂਰ ਹਨ ਓਹ ਨਸ਼ਟ ਹੋਣਗੇ, ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਅੱਗਿਓਂ ਸਾਰੇ ਜ਼ਨਾਹਕਾਰ ਗਰਕ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤੇ ! 28 ਪਰ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਨੇੜੇ ਰਹਿਣਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਚੰਗਾ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਨਾਹ ਬਣਾਇਆ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਕਾਰਜਾਂ ਦਾ ਵਰਣਨ ਕਰਾਂ ।
1 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਤੂੰ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਸਦਾ ਲਈ ਕਿਉਂ ਤਿਆਗ ਦਿੱਤਾ ? ਤੇਰੀ ਜੂਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਭੇਡਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਦਾ ਧੂੰਆ ਕਿਉਂ ਉੱਠਦਾ ਹੈ ? 2 ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਨੂੰ ਜਿਸ ਨੂੰ ਤੂੰ ਮੁੱਢ ਤੋਂ ਮੁੱਲ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਅਧਿਕਾਰ ਦੇ ਗੋਤ ਹੋਣ ਲਈ ਛੁਡਾਇਆ ਹੈ ਚੇਤੇ ਕਰ, ਨਾਲੇ ਇਸ ਸੀਯੋਨ ਪਰਬਤ ਨੂੰ ਜਿੱਥੇ ਤੂੰ ਰਿਹਾਂ ਹੈ । 3 ਸਦਾ ਦੇ ਉਜੜੇ ਥਾਵਾਂ ਵੱਲ ਕਦਮ ਉਠਾ, ਅਰਥਾਤ ਉਸ ਸਾਰੀ ਖਰਾਬੀ ਵੱਲ ਵੀ, ਜਿਹੜੀ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਥਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੈਰੀ ਨੇ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੈ । 4 ਤੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਤੇਰੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਗੱਜਦੇ ਰਹੇ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨ ਲਈ ਆਪਣੇ ਝੰਡੇ ਖੜੇ ਕੀਤੇ ਹਨ । 5 ਓਹ ਅਜਿਹੇ ਦਿੱਸਦੇ ਪਏ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਜਿਵੇਂ ਦਰਖਤਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਕੁਹਾੜੇ ਚਲਾ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ ! 6 ਹੁਣ ਉਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਉੱਕਰੀਆਂ ਹੋਇਆ ਵਸਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੁਹਾੜੀਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਹਥੌੜਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਭੰਨ ਸੁੱਟਦੇ ਹਨ ! 7 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਸਥਾਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਅੱਗ ਲਾਈ ਹੈ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੇ ਡੇਰੇ ਨੂੰ ਭੋਂ ਤੱਕ ਢਾਹ ਕੇ ਭਰਿਸ਼ਟ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ । 8 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਖਿਆ ਹੈ, ਆਓ, ਅਸੀਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪੂਰੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਹੀ ਦਬਾ ਦੇਈਏ ! ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਦੇਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਸਭਾ ਘਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਫੂਕ ਸੁੱਟਿਆ ਹੈ । 9 ਅਸੀਂ ਹੁਣ ਕੋਈ ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨ ਨਹੀਂ ਵੇਖਦੇ, ਹੁਣ ਕੋਈ ਨਬੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਰਿਹਾ, ਨਾ ਕੋਈ ਸਾਡੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਅਜਿਹਾ ਕਦੋਂ ਤੱਕ ਰਹੇਗਾ । 10 ਕਦੋਂ ਤੱਕ, ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਨਿੰਦਿਆ ਕਰੇਗਾ ? ਭਲਾ, ਵੈਰੀ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਉੱਤੇ ਕੁਫ਼ਰ ਬਕੇਗਾ ? 11 ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਹੱਥ, ਆਪਣਾ ਸੱਜਾ ਹੱਥ ਕਿਉਂ ਰੋਕ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹੈਂ ? ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਬਗਲ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਕੱਢ ਕੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਅੰਤ ਕਰ ! 12 ਪਰ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਾਚੀਨ ਕਾਲ ਤੋਂ ਮੇਰਾ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਛੁਟਕਾਰੇ ਦੇ ਕੰਮ ਕਰਦਾ ਆਇਆ ਹੈ । 13 ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਸਮਰੱਥਾ ਨਾਲ ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਨੂੰ ਪਾੜਿਆ ਹੈ, ਪਾਣੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਲ ਜੰਤੂਆਂ ਦੇ ਸਿਰ ਤੂੰ ਭੰਨ ਸੁੱਟੇ । 14 ਤੂੰ ਲਿਵਯਾਥਾਨ ਦਿਆਂ ਸਿਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਫ਼ਿਹ ਸੁੱਟਿਆ, ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਰੋਹੀ ਦੇ ਵਾਸੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਖੁਆਇਆ । 15 ਤੂੰ ਸੋਤਾ ਅਤੇ ਨਦੀ ਖੋਲ੍ਹੀ, ਤੂੰ ਬਾਰਾਂ ਮਾਸੀ ਦਰਿਆਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸੁਕਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ । 16 ਦਿਨ ਤੇਰਾ ਅਤੇ ਰਾਤ ਵੀ ਤੇਰੀ ਹੈ, ਤੂੰ ਉਜਾਲੇ ਅਤੇ ਸੂਰਜ ਨੂੰ ਕਾਇਮ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ । 17 ਤੂੰ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਹੱਦਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਠਹਿਰਾਇਆ ਹੈ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂਲ ਅਤੇ ਸਿਆਲ ਨੂੰ ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਬਣਾਇਆ ਹੈ । 18 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੂੰ ਇਹ ਨੂੰ ਚੇਤੇ ਰੱਖ ਕਿ ਵੈਰੀ ਨੇ ਨਿੰਦਿਆ ਕੀਤੀ, ਅਤੇ ਮੂਰਖ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਉੱਤੇ ਕੁਫ਼ਰ ਬਕਿਆ ਹੈ ! 19 ਆਪਣੀ ਖੁਮਰੀ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰਾਣਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਜੰਗਲੀ ਚੌਪਾਏ ਦੇ ਵੱਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਾ ਕਰ, ਆਪਣੇ ਮਸਕੀਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਨਾ ਵਿਸਾਰ ! 20 ਆਪਣੇ ਨੇਮ ਵੱਲ ਧਿਆਨ ਰੱਖ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰੇ ਥਾਂ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰ ਦਿਆਂ ਨਿਵਾਸਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਭਰੇ ਪਏ ਹਨ ! 21 ਸਤਾਏ ਹੋਏ ਨੂੰ ਲੱਜਿਆਵਾਨ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਮੁੜਨਾ ਨਾ ਪਵੇ, ਮਸਕੀਨ ਅਤੇ ਕੰਗਾਲ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰਨ । 22 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਉੱਠ, ਆਪਣਾ ਮੁਦੱਪਾ ਆਪ ਹੀ ਲੜ, ਚੇਤੇ ਰੱਖ ਕਿ ਮੂਰਖ ਸਾਰਾ ਦਿਨ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਨਿੰਦਿਆ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ ! 23 ਆਪਣੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਨੂੰ ਨਾ ਵਿਸਾਰ, ਤੇਰੇ ਮੁਖਾਲਿਫਾਂ ਦਾ ਰੌਲਾ ਨਿੱਤ ਉੱਠਦਾ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ ।
1 ਅਸੀਂ ਤੇਰਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਾਂ, ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਅਸੀਂ ਤੇਰਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਾਂ ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੇਰਾ ਨਾਮ ਨੇੜੇ ਹੈ, ਲੋਕ ਤੇਰੇ ਅਚਰਜ ਕਾਰਜਾਂ ਦਾ ਵਰਣਨ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ । 2 ਜਦ ਮੈਂ ਠਹਿਰਾਏ ਹੋਏ ਵੇਲੇ ਨੂੰ ਪਹੁੰਚਾਂਗਾ, ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਠੀਕ ਨਿਆਂ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 3 ਧਰਤੀ ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਵਾਸੀ ਖਪ ਗਏ ਹਨ, ਮੈਂ ਹੀ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਥੰਮ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਮ੍ਹਾਲ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ । ਸਲਹ । 4 ਮੈਂ ਹੰਕਾਰੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਖਿਆ, ਹੰਕਾਰ ਨਾ ਕਰੋ ! ਅਤੇ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕਿ ਸਿੰਙ ਨਾ ਉਠਾਓ ! 5 ਆਪਣਾ ਸਿੰਙ ਉਤਾਹਾਂ ਨਾ ਉਠਾਓ, ਨਾ ਢੀਠਪੁਣੇ ਦੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਕਰੋ ! 6 ਉੱਚਾ ਹੋਣਾ ਨਾ ਤਾਂ ਚੜ੍ਹਦਿਓਂ ਨਾ ਲਹਿੰਦਿਓਂ, ਅਤੇ ਨਾ ਉਜਾੜੋਂ ਆਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ । 7 ਪਰ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੀ ਨਿਆਈਂ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਇੱਕ ਨੂੰ ਨੀਵਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਦੂਜੇ ਨੂੰ ਉੱਚਾ ਕਰ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ । 8 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਹੱਥ ਵਿੱਚ ਇੱਕ ਕਟੋਰਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਮਧ ਝੱਗ ਛੱਡਦੀ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਮਿਲਾਉਟ ਨਾਲ ਭਰੀ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਉਸ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਉਲੱਦ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਸੱਚ-ਮੁੱਚ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਫੋਗ ਨੂੰ ਨਚੋੜ ਕੇ ਪੀਣਗੇ ! 9 ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਦੱਸਦਾ ਰਹਾਂਗਾ, ਮੈਂ ਯਾਕੂਬ ਅਤੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਲਈ ਭਜਨ ਗਾਵਾਂਗਾ । 10 ਮੈਂ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਸਿੰਙ ਵੱਢ ਸੁੱਟਾਂਗਾ, ਪਰ ਧਰਮੀ ਦੇ ਸਿੰਙ ਉੱਚੇ ਕੀਤੇ ਜਾਣਗੇ ।
1 ਯਹੂਦਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਜਾਣਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਵੱਡਾ ਹੈ । 2 ਸ਼ਾਲੇਮ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਮੰਡਪ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਸੀਯੋਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਭਵਨ । 3 ਉੱਥੇ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਧਣੁੱਖ ਦੀਆਂ ਲਸ਼ਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਭੰਨ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਨਾਲੇ ਢਾਲ, ਤੇਗ ਤੇ ਲੜਾਈ ਦੇ ਸੰਦਾਂ ਨੂੰ । ਸਲਹ । 4 ਤੂੰ ਸ਼ਿਕਾਰ ਦੇ ਪਹਾੜਾ ਨਾਲੋਂ, ਤੇਜਵਾਨ ਅਤੇ ਉੱਤਮ ਹੈਂ । 5 ਦਿਲ ਚਲੇ ਲੁੱਟੇ ਗਏ, ਓਹ ਆਪਣੀ ਨੀਂਦ ਵਿੱਚ ਪੈ ਗਏ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਸੂਰਬੀਰਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਕਿਸੇ ਦਾ ਹੱਥ ਨਾ ਚੱਲਿਆ । 6 ਹੇ ਯਾਕੂਬ ਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਤੇਰੇ ਦਬਕੇ ਨਾਲ, ਕੀ ਰਥ ਕੀ ਘੋੜਾ, ਸੱਭੇ ਘੂਕ ਨੀਂਦ ਵਿੱਚ ਪੈ ਗਏ ਹਨ ! । 7 ਤੈਥੋਂ, ਹਾਂ, ਤੈਥੋਂ ਡਰਨਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਜਾਂ ਤੂੰ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਕਰੇਂ ਤਾਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਕੌਣ ਖਲੋ ਸਕੇ ? 8 ਸਵਰਗੋਂ ਤੂੰ ਫੈਸਲਾ ਸੁਣਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਧਰਤੀ ਡਰ ਗਈ ਅਤੇ ਠਰ ਗਈ, 9 ਜਦ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨਿਆਂ ਲਈ ਉੱਠਿਆ, ਕਿ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਮਸਕੀਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਚਾਵੇ । ਸਲਹ । 10 ਸੱਚ-ਮੁੱਚ ਆਦਮੀ ਦਾ ਗੁੱਸਾ ਤੇਰੀ ਸਲਾਹਤ ਕਰਾਵੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਗੁੱਸੇ ਦੇ ਬਕੀਏ ਨਾਲ ਤੂੰ ਕਮਰ ਕੱਸੇਂਗਾ । 11 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੀਆਂ ਸੁੱਖਣਾਂ ਸੁੱਖੋ ਅਤੇ ਪੂਰੀਆਂ ਵੀ ਕਰੋ, ਜਿਹੜੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਆਲੇ-ਦੁਆਲੇ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਸੱਭੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਜਿਸ ਤੋਂ ਡਰਨਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ ਭੇਟਾਂ ਲਿਆਉਣ । 12 ਉਹ ਪਰਧਾਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਦਿਲੇਰੀ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਟਾ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ, ਉਹ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਰਾਜਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਭਿਆਣਕ ਹੈ ।
1 ਮੈਂ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਅੱਗੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਨਾਲ ਦੁਹਾਈ ਦਿਆਂਗਾ, ਹਾਂ, ਆਪਣੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਨਾਲ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਅੱਗੇ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਮੇਰੀ ਵੱਲ ਕੰਨ ਧਰੇਗਾ । 2 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੀ ਬਿਪਤਾ ਦੇ ਦਿਨ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਨੂੰ ਢੂੰਡਿਆ, ਮੇਰਾ ਹੱਥ ਰਾਤ ਨੂੰ ਪਸਾਰਿਆ ਰਿਹਾ ਅਤੇ ਢਿੱਲਾ ਨਾ ਹੋਇਆ, ਮੇਰੇ ਜੀਅ ਨੇ ਸ਼ਾਂਤੀ ਲੈਣ ਤੋਂ ਨਾਂਹ ਕੀਤੀ । 3 ਮੈਂ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੂੰ ਚੇਤੇ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਵਿਆਕੁਲ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਮੈਂ ਧਿਆਨ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਆਤਮਾ ਹੁੱਸ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ । ਸਲਹ । 4 ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਪਲਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਖੁਲ੍ਹਿਆਂ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਘਬਰਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਅਤੇ ਬੋਲ ਨਾ ਸਕਦਾ । 5 ਮੈਂ ਪਿੱਛਲੇ ਦਿਨਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਵਰ੍ਹਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਸਮਿਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਸੋਚਿਆ । 6 ਮੈਂ ਰਾਤ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਗੀਤ ਦਾ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਆਪਣੇ ਮਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਧਿਆਨ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਆਤਮਾ ਖੋਜ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, — 7 ਕਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਸਦਾ ਹੀ ਤਿਆਗ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਫੇਰ ਕਦੇ ਪਰਸੰਨ ਨਾ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ ? 8 ਕੀ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦਾ ਲਈ ਰੁੱਕ ਗਈ ਹੈ ? ਕੀ ਉਸ ਦਾ ਬਚਨ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀਓ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਹਟ ਗਿਆ ? 9 ਕੀ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਨੀ ਭੁੱਲ ਗਿਆ ? ਕੀ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਨਾਲ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਰਹਮਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਰੋਕ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ ? । ਸਲਹ । 10 ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਆਖਿਆ, ਏਹ ਮੇਰੀ ਕਮਜ਼ੋਰੀ ਹੈ, — ਅੱਤ ਮਹਾਨ ਦਾ ਸੱਜਾ ਹੱਥ ਬਦਲ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ ! 11 ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਦਾ ਜ਼ਿਕਰ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਪੁਰਾਣਿਆਂ ਸਮਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਅਚਰਜਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਚੇਤੇ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 12 ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਕਾਰਜਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਧਿਆਨ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 13 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਤੇਰਾ ਮਾਰਗ ਪਵਿੱਤਰਤਾਈ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ, ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਵਰਗਾ ਵੱਡਾ ਦਿਓਤਾ ਕਿਹੜਾ ਹੈ ? 14 ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੈਂ ਜੋ ਅਚਰਜ ਕੰਮ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਤੂੰ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਪਣੀ ਸ਼ਕਤੀ ਪਰਗਟ ਕੀਤੀ । 15 ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਬਾਂਹ ਨਾਲ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਨੂੰ ਯਾਕੂਬ ਤੇ ਯੂਸਫ਼ ਦੀ ਅੰਸ ਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾਇਆ ਹੈ । ਸਲਹ । 16 ਪਾਣੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਡਿੱਠਾ, ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਪਾਣੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਡਿੱਠਾ, ਓਹ ਉੱਛਲ ਪਏ ਤੇ ਡੂੰਘਿਆਈਆਂ ਕੰਬ ਉੱਠੀਆਂ । 17 ਘਟਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੋਹਲੇਧਾਰ ਮੀਂਹ ਵਰ੍ਹਾਇਆ, ਗਗਣ ਨੇ ਖੜਕਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਤੇਰੇ ਤੀਰ ਲਾਂਭੇ ਛਾਂਭੇ ਚੱਲੇ । 18 ਤੇਰੇ ਗੱਜਣ ਦਾ ਖੜਕ ਵਾਵਰੋਲੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੋਇਆ, ਲਸ਼ਕਾਂ ਨੇ ਸਰਿਸ਼ਟੀ ਨੂੰ ਚਾਨਣ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਧਰਤੀ ਕੰਬੀ ਅਤੇ ਹਿੱਲ ਗਈ । 19 ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੇਰਾ ਰਾਹ ਸੀ, ਤੇਰੇ ਪਹੇ ਵੱਡੇ ਪਾਣੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਨ, ਤੇਰੇ ਖੁਰੇ ਜਾਣੇ ਨਾ ਗਏ । 20 ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਦੀ ਮੂਸਾ ਅਤੇ ਹਾਰੂਨ ਦੇ ਹੱਥੀਂ, ਇੱਜੜ ਦੀ ਨਿਆਈਂ ਅਗਵਾਈ ਕੀਤੀ ।
1 ਹੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਪਰਜਾ, ਮੇਰੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਉੱਤੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਕੰਨ ਧਰੋ, ਆਪਣੇ ਕੰਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਮੁਖ-ਵਾਕਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਲਾਓ । 2 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਦ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਟਾਂਤਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਖੋਲਾਂਗਾ, ਮੈਂ ਪੁਰਾਣਿਆਂ ਸਮਿਆਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਬੁਝਾਰਤਾਂ ਉਚਾਰਾਂਗਾ, 3 ਜਿਹੜੀਆਂ ਅਸੀਂ ਸੁਣੀਆਂ ਤੇ ਜਾਤੀਆਂ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਡੇ ਪਿਉ-ਦਾਦਿਆਂ ਨੇ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਦੱਸੀਆਂ । 4 ਅਸੀਂ ਓਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਅੰਸ ਤੋਂ ਲੁਕਾਵਾਂਗੇ, ਸਗੋਂ ਆਉਣ ਵਾਲੀ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਨੂੰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ, ਉਸ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਕਤੀ ਅਤੇ ਅਚਰਜ ਕੰਮ ਜੋ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਕੀਤੇ ਦੱਸਾਂਗੇ । 5 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਤਾਂ ਯਾਕੂਬ ਵਿੱਚ ਇੱਕ ਸਾਖੀ ਕਾਇਮ ਕੀਤੀ, ਅਤੇ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਇੱਕ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਠਹਿਰਾਈ, ਜਿਹ ਦਾ ਹੁਕਮ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਸਾਡੇ ਪਿਉ-ਦਾਦਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਕਿ ਓਹ ਆਪਣੀ ਅੰਸ ਨੂੰ ਸਿਖਾਉਣ, 6 ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਆਉਣ ਵਾਲੀ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਅਰਥਾਤ ਓਹ ਬੱਚੇ, ਜਿਹੜੇ ਜੰਮਣਗੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਣ ਲੈਣ, ਕਿ ਓਹ ਵੀ ਉੱਠ ਕੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਅੰਸ ਨੂੰ ਦੱਸਣ, 7 ਕਿ ਓਹ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਪਣੀ ਆਸ਼ਾ ਰੱਖਣ, ਅਤੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਨਾ ਭੁੱਲਣ, ਪਰ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਹੁਕਮਾਂ ਦੀ ਰਾਖੀ ਕਰਨ, 8 ਅਤੇ ਓਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਿਉ-ਦਾਦਿਆਂ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਨਾ ਹੋਣ, ਇੱਕ ਕੱਬੀ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਜਿਸ ਆਪਣਾ ਮਨ ਕਾਇਮ ਨਾ ਰੱਖਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਜਿਹ ਦਾ ਆਤਮਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਦ੍ਰਿੜ ਨਾ ਰਿਹਾ । 9 ਇਫਰਾਈਮ ਦੀ ਅੰਸ ਸ਼ਾਸ਼ਤਰ ਧਾਰੀ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਤੇ ਧਣੁੱਖ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਲੜਾਈ ਦੇ ਦਿਨ ਪਿੱਛੇ ਮੁੜ ਆਈ । 10 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਨੇਮ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਨਾ ਕੀਤੀ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਚੱਲਣ ਤੋਂ ਨਾਂਹ ਕੀਤੀ । 11 ਓਹ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਅਚਰਜ ਕਰਤੱਬਾਂ ਨੂੰ, ਜਿਹੜੇ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਖਾਏ ਭੁਲਾ ਬੈਠੇ । 12 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਪਿਉ-ਦਾਦਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਮਿਸਰ ਦੇਸ ਵਿੱਚ, ਸੋਅਨ ਦੀ ਰੜ੍ਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਇੱਕ ਅਚਰਜ ਕੰਮ ਕੀਤਾ । 13 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਨੂੰ ਚੀਰ ਕੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪਾਰ ਲੰਘਾਇਆ, ਅਤੇ ਪਾਣੀ ਨੂੰ ਢੇਰ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਖੜ੍ਹਾ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ । 14 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਦਿਨ ਨੂੰ ਬੱਦਲ ਨਾਲ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਰੀ ਰਾਤ ਅੱਗ ਦੀ ਲੋ ਨਾਲ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਅਗਵਾਈ ਕੀਤੀ । 15 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਉਜਾੜ ਵਿੱਚ ਚੱਟਾਨ ਪਾੜ ਕੇ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਣੀਦਾ ਡੂੰਘਿਆਈਆਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਪਾਣੀ ਪਿਲਾਇਆ, 16 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਢਿੱਗ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਧਾਰਾਂ ਕੱਢੀਆਂ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਦਰਿਆਵਾਂ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਵਗਾਇਆ । 17 ਤਾਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਹੋਰ ਵੀ ਪਾਪ ਕੀਤਾ, ਅਤੇ ਥਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਅੱਤ ਮਹਾਨ ਤੋਂ ਆਕੀ ਹੀ ਰਹੇ । 18 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਖੁੱਦਿਆ ਲਈ ਭੋਜਨ ਮੰਗ ਕੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦਾ ਪਰਤਾਵਾ ਕੀਤਾ । 19 ਓਹ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਬੋਲੇ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਆਖਿਆ, ਕੀ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਉਜਾੜ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੀ ਲੰਗਰ ਦਾ ਅਡੰਬਰ ਰਚ ਸਕੇਗਾ ? 20 ਵੇਖੋ, ਉਸ ਨੇ ਚੱਟਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਮਾਰਿਆ, ਪਾਣੀ ਫੁੱਟ ਨਿੱਕਲਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਧਾਰਾਂ ਵਗ ਪਈਆਂ, — ਕੀ ਉਹ ਰੋਟੀ ਵੀ ਦੇ ਸਕੇਗਾ ? ਨਾਲੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਨੂੰ ਮਹਾਂ ਪਰਸ਼ਾਦ ਵੀ ਪਹੁੰਚਾਵੇਗਾ ? 21 ਇਸ ਲਈ ਜਦ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੇ ਸੁਣਿਆ ਤਾਂ ਅੱਤ ਕ੍ਰੋਧਵਾਨ ਹੋਇਆ, ਅਤੇ ਯਾਕੂਬ ਵਿੱਚ ਅੱਗ ਭੜਕੀ, ਨਾਲੇ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਉੱਤੇ ਵੀ ਕੋਪ ਹੋਇਆ, 22 ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਪਰਤੀਤ ਨਾ ਕੀਤੀ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਬਚਾਓ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਨਾ ਰੱਖਿਆ । 23 ਤਾਂ ਵੀ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਉੱਪਰ ਗਗਣ ਨੂੰ ਹੁਕਮ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਅਤੇ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਦੇ ਦਰਵਾਜ਼ੇ ਖੋਲ੍ਹ ਦਿੱਤੇ, 24 ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਖਾਣ ਲਈ ਮੰਨ ਵਰ੍ਹਾਇਆ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਵਰਗੀ ਅੰਨ ਦਿੱਤਾ । 25 ਬਲਵੰਤਾਂ ਦੀ ਰੋਟੀ ਇਨਸਾਨ ਨੇ ਖਾਧੀ, ਉਸ ਨੇ ਰੱਜਵੀਂ ਰੋਟੀ ਭੇਜੀ । 26 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਵਿੱਚ ਪੁਰੇ ਦੀ ਹਵਾ ਵਗਾਈ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਸਮਰੱਥਾ ਨਾਲ ਦੱਖਣੀ ਹਵਾ ਚਲਾਈ, 27 ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਧੂੜ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਮਹਾਂ ਪਰਸ਼ਾਦ, ਅਤੇ ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਦੀ ਰੇਟ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਪੰਖੇਰੂ ਵਰ੍ਹਾਏ, 28 ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਡੇਰੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਵਸੇਬਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਆਲੇ-ਦੁਆਲੇ ਗਿਰਾਏ । 29 ਸੋ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਬਹੁਤ ਰੱਜ ਕੇ ਖਾਧਾ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਇੱਛਿਆ ਨੂੰ ਪੂਰਾ ਕੀਤਾ । 30 ਓਹ ਆਪਣੀ ਹਿਰਸ ਤੋਂ ਹਟੇ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਖਾਣਾ ਅਜੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੀ ਸੀ, 31 ਕਿ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦਾ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਭੜਕਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਢਾਡੇ ਮੋਟਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੱਢ ਸੁੱਟਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਦੇ ਗੱਭਰੂਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਨਿਵਾ ਲਿਆ । 32 ਤਾਂ ਇਸ ਸਾਰੇ ਦੇ ਹੋਣ ਤੇ ਵੀ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਫੇਰ ਪਾਪ ਕੀਤਾ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਅਚਰਜ ਕਰਤੱਬਾਂ ਤੇ ਪਰਤੀਤ ਨਾ ਕੀਤੀ । 33 ਇਸ ਕਰਕੇ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਦਿਨ ਵਿਅਰਥ ਵਿੱਚ ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਵਰ੍ਹੇ ਭੈ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੁਕਾਏ । 34 ਜਦ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੱਢਿਆ ਤਾਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਭਾਲ ਕੀਤੀ, ਓਹ ਮੁੜੇ ਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਮਨੋਂ ਤਨੋਂ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੂੰ ਢੂੰਡਿਆ । 35 ਤਾਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਯਾਦ ਆਇਆ ਕਿ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਸਾਡੀ ਚੱਟਾਨ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਅੱਤ ਮਹਾਨ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਸਾਡਾ ਛੁਡਾਉਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈ । 36 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਨਾਲ ਲੱਲੋ ਪੱਤੋ ਕੀਤੀ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਜ਼ਬਾਨ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਝੂਠ ਮਾਰਿਆ, 37 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਮਨ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਕਾਇਮ ਨਹੀਂ ਸਨ, ਨਾ ਓਹ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਨੇਮ ਵਿੱਚ ਵਫ਼ਾਦਾਰ ਰਹੇ, 38 ਪਰ ਉਸ ਰਹੀਮ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਬੁਰਿਆਈ ਨੂੰ ਖਿਮਾ ਕੀਤਾ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਨਾਸ ਨਾ ਕੀਤਾ, ਹਾਂ, ਬਹੁਤ ਵਾਰੀ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਰੋਕ ਛੱਡਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਸਾਰਾ ਗੁੱਸਾ ਨਾ ਭੜਕਾਇਆ । 39 ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਤਾਂ ਯਾਦ ਸੀ ਕਿ ਓਹ ਨਿਰੇ ਬਸ਼ਰ ਹੀ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਹਵਾ ਹਨ ਜਿਹੜੀ ਵਗਦੀ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਮੁੜ ਨਹੀਂ ਆਉਂਦੀ । 40 ਕਿੰਨੀ ਵਾਰ ਓਹ ਉਜਾੜ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਆਕੀ ਹੋਏ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਥਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਦਾਸ ਕੀਤਾ ! 41 ਮੁੜ ਘਿੜ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੂੰ ਪਰਤਾਇਆ, ਅਤੇ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਦੇ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਪੁਰਖ ਨੂੰ ਅਕਾਇਆ । 42 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਹੱਥ ਨੂੰ ਚੇਤੇ ਨਾ ਰੱਖਿਆ, ਨਾ ਉਸ ਦਿਨ ਨੂੰ ਜਦ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਤੋਂ ਛੁਡਾਇਆ, 43 ਜਦ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਮਿਸਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਪਣੇ ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨ, ਅਤੇ ਸੋਅਨ ਦੀ ਜੂਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਪਣੇ ਅਚੰਭੇ ਵਿਖਾਏ । 44 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੋ ਦਰਿਆਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਲਹੂ ਬਣਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਨਾਲੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਨਦੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ, ਸੋ ਓਹ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਪੀ ਨਾ ਸਕੇ । 45 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੱਖਾਂ ਦੇ ਝੁੰਡ ਭੇਜੇ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਖਾ ਗਏ, ਅਤੇ ਡੱਡੂ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਸੱਤਿਆਨਾਸ ਕੀਤਾ । 46 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਪੈਦਾਵਾਰ ਕੀੜਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਮਿਹਨਤ ਸਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦਿੱਤੀ । 47 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਦਾਖ ਦੀਆਂ ਬੇਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਗੜਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਿਆਂ ਗੁਲਰ ਰੁੱਖਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੱਡੇ-ਵੱਡੇ ਓਲਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਬਰਬਾਦ ਕਰ ਸੁੱਟਿਆ । 48 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਪਸੂਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਗੜਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਵੱਗਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤੇਜ ਲਸ਼ਕਾਂ ਦੇ ਹਵਾਲੇ ਕੀਤਾ । 49 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਬੁਰਿਆਈ ਦੇ ਦੂਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਭੇਜ ਕੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਦਾ ਡਾਢਾ ਕਹਿਰ, ਰੋਸਾ, ਗਜਬ ਅਤੇ ਬਿਪਤਾ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਪਾ ਦਿੱਤੀ । 50 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਲਈ ਰਾਹ ਸਿੱਧਾ ਕੀਤਾ, ਉਸ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਜਾਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੌਤ ਤੋਂ ਨਾ ਰੋਕਿਆ, ਸਗੋਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਹਯਾਤੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਵਾ ਦੇ ਹਵਾਲੇ ਕੀਤਾ । 51 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਮਿਸਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਾਰੇ ਪਲੌਠੇ ਮਾਰ ਸੁੱਟੇ, ਜਿਹੜੇ ਹਾਮ ਦੇ ਤੰਬੂਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਕਤੀ ਦਾ ਮੁੱਢ ਸਨ, 52 ਪਰ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਨੂੰ ਭੇਡਾਂ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਲੈ ਤੁਰਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਉਜਾੜ ਵਿੱਚ ਇੱਜੜ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਅਗਵਾਈ ਕੀਤੀ, 53 ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸੁੱਖ ਨਾਲ ਲੈ ਗਿਆ ਸੋ ਓਹ ਨਾ ਡਰੇ, ਪਰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਨੇ ਢੱਕ ਲਿਆ । 54 ਤਾਂ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਥਾਂ ਦੇ ਬੰਨੇ ਤੱਕ ਪਹੁੰਚਾਇਆ, ਇਸ ਪਹਾੜ ਤੱਕ ਜਿਹ ਨੂੰ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਸੱਜੇ ਹੱਥ ਨੇ ਲਿਆ ਸੀ । 55 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੋਂ ਕੱਢ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਅਤੇ ਜਰੀਬ ਨਾਲ ਮਿਣ ਕੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਖ ਦਿੱਤੀ, ਅਤੇ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਦੀਆਂ ਗੋਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਤੰਬੂਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਵਸਾਇਆ । 56 ਤਾਂ ਵੀ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਅੱਤ ਮਹਾਨ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੂੰ ਪਰਤਾਇਆ ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਆਕੀ ਹੋ ਗਏ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੀਆਂ ਸਾਖੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਨਾ ਕੀਤੀ । 57 ਸਗੋਂ ਓਹ ਫਿਰ ਗਏ ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਿਉ-ਦਾਦਿਆਂ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਛੱਲੀਏ ਹੋ ਗਏ, ਓਹ ਵਿੰਗੇ ਧਣੁੱਖ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਕੁੱਬੇ ਹੋ ਗਏ ਸਨ । 58 ਆਪਣਿਆਂ ਉੱਚਿਆਂ ਥਾਵਾਂ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਗੁੱਸੇ ਨੂੰ ਛੇੜਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਉੱਕਰੀਆਂ ਹੋਈਆਂ ਮੂਰਤਾਂ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਅਣਖ ਨੂੰ ਹਿਲਾਇਆ । 59 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੇ ਸੁਣਿਆ, ਤਾਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਤਪਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਤੋਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਘਿਣ ਖਾਧੀ । 60 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਸ਼ੀਲੋਹ ਦੇ ਡੇਰੇ ਨੂੰ ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਤੰਬੂ ਨੂੰ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਆਦਮੀਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਖੜ੍ਹਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਸੀ ਛੱਡ ਦਿੱਤਾ । 61 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਬਲ ਗ਼ੁਲਾਮੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਤੇਜ ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਦੇ ਹੱਥ ਵਿੱਚ ਦੇ ਦਿੱਤਾ । 62 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਨੂੰ ਤਲਵਾਰ ਦੇ ਵੱਸ ਪਾਇਆ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਮਿਲਖ ਨਾਲ ਅੱਤ ਕ੍ਰੋਧਵਾਨ ਹੋਇਆ । 63 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਗੱਭਰੂਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਅੱਗ ਨੇ ਭਸਮ ਕਰ ਸੁੱਟਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਕੁਆਰੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਸੁਹਾਗ ਨਾ ਗਾਏ ਗਏ । 64 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਜਾਜਕ ਤਲਵਾਰ ਨਾਲ ਡਿੱਗੇ, ਪਰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਵਿਧਵਾਂ ਨੇ ਵਿਰਲਾਪ ਨਾ ਕੀਤਾ । 65 ਤਾਂ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਸੁੱਤੇ ਹੋਏ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਜਾਗ ਉੱਠਿਆ, ਉਸ ਸੂਰਮੇ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਨਸ਼ੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਲਲਕਾਰੇ ਮਾਰਦਾ ਹੈ । 66 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਮਾਰ ਕੇ ਪਿਛਾਂਹ ਹਟਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਉਸ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਦਾ ਲਈ ਨਿੰਦਿਆ ਦਾ ਥਾਂ ਬਣਾਇਆ । 67 ਨਾਲੇ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਯੂਸਫ ਦੇ ਤੰਬੂ ਨੂੰ ਤਿਆਗ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਅਤੇ ਇਫਰਾਈਮ ਦੇ ਗੋਤ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਨਾ ਚੁਣਿਆ । 68 ਪਰ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਯਹੂਦਾਹ ਦੇ ਗੋਤ ਨੂੰ ਚੁਣਿਆ, ਅਰਥਾਤ ਸੀਯੋਨ ਦੇ ਪਰਬਤ ਨੂੰ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਸੀ, 69 ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਉੱਚਿਆਈਆਂ ਦੀ ਨਿਆਈਂ ਆਪਣਾ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਸਥਾਨ ਉਸਾਰਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੀ ਨਿਆਈਂ ਜਿਹ ਨੂੰ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਸਦਾ ਲਈ ਅਟੱਲ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ । 70 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਦਾਸ ਦਾਊਦ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਚੁਣਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਭੇਡਾਂ ਦੇ ਵੜਿਆਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਲੈ ਲਿਆ । 71 ਉਹ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਬੱਚਿਆਂ ਵਾਲੀਆਂ ਭੇਡਾਂ ਦੇ ਪਿੱਛੇ ਚੱਲਣ ਤੋਂ ਹਟਾ ਲਿਆਇਆ । ਕਿ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਯਾਕੂਬ ਨੂੰ ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਮਿਲਖ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਨੂੰ ਚਰਾਵੇ । 72 ਸੋ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਨ ਦੀ ਸਚਿਆਈ ਨਾਲ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਚਰਾਇਆ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਦੇ ਗੁਣ ਨਾਲ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਅਗਵਾਈ ਕੀਤੀ ।
1 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਕੌਮਾਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਮਿਰਾਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਆ ਗਈਆਂ ਹਨ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਹੈਕਲ ਨੂੰ ਭਰਿਸ਼ਟ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਯਰੂਸ਼ਲਮ ਨੂੰ ਥੇਹ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ । 2 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਸੇਵਕਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਲੋਥਾਂ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਦੇ ਪੰਛੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਸੰਤਾਂ ਦਾ ਮਾਸ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਦਰਿੰਦਿਆ ਨੂੰ ਖਾਣ ਲਈ ਦਿੱਤਾ । 3 ਓਹਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਲਹੂ ਨੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਪਾਣੀ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਯਰੂਸ਼ਲਮ ਦੇ ਆਲੇ-ਦੁਆਲੇ ਵਹਾਇਆ, ਪਰ ਦੱਬਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਕੋਈ ਨਹੀਂ ਸੀ । 4 ਅਸੀਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਗੁਆਂਢੀਆਂ ਲਈ ਨਿੰਦਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਲੇ-ਦੁਆਲੇ ਦਿਆਂ ਲਈ ਮਖੌਲ ਤੇ ਹਾਸਾ ਬਣੇ ਹੋਏ ਹਾਂ । 5 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਕਦ ਤੱਕ ? ਕੀ ਤੂੰ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਕ੍ਰੋਧਵਾਨ ਰਹੇਂਗਾ ? ਕੀ ਤੇਰੀ ਅਣਖ ਅੱਗ ਦੀ ਨਿਆਈਂ ਬਲਦੀ ਰਹੇਗੀ ? 6 ਆਪਣਾ ਕਹਿਰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਵਹਾ ਦੇ ਜਿਹੜੀਆਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਣਦੀਆਂ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹੀਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਜਿਹੜੀਆਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਨੂੰ ਨਹੀਂ ਪੁਕਾਰਦੀਆਂ । 7 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਤਾਂ ਯਾਕੂਬ ਨੂੰ ਭੱਖ ਲਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਵਸੇਬਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਰਾਨ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ । 8 ਸਾਡੇ ਪਿਉ-ਦਾਦਿਆਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਬਦੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਾਡੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਚੇਤੇ ਨਾ ਕਰ, ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਰਹਮਤਾਂ ਸਾਡੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਛੇਤੀ ਆ ਜਾਣ, ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਅਸੀਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਅਧੀਨ ਹੋ ਗਏ ਹਾਂ ! 9 ਹੇ ਸਾਡੇ ਮੁਕਤੀ ਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਆਪਣੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੇ ਪਰਤਾਪ ਲਈ ਸਾਡੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਕਰ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾ ਅਤੇ ਸਾਡੇ ਪਾਪਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੱਜ ਲਈ । 10 ਕੌਮਾਂ ਕਾਹਨੂੰ ਆਖਣ ਕਿ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਹੈ ? ਤੇਰੇ ਟਹਿਲੂਆਂ ਦੇ ਵਗਾਏ ਹੋਏ ਲਹੂ ਦਾ ਬਦਲਾ ਸਾਡੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਦੇ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਾਣਿਆ ਜਾਵੇ ! 11 ਗ਼ੁਲਾਮ ਦੀ ਧਾਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਸਨਮੁੱਖ ਆਵੇ, ਆਪਣੀ ਵੱਡੀ ਬਾਂਹ ਨਾਲ ਮਰਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਕਰ, 12 ਅਤੇ ਸਾਡੇ ਗੁਆਂਢੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਨਿੰਦਿਆ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੈ, ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਨਿੰਦਿਆ ਸੱਤ ਗੁਣੀ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਪੱਲੇ ਪ ! 13 ਸੋ ਅਸੀਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਜੂਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਭੇਡਾਂ ਸਦਾ ਤੇਰਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਾਂਗੇ, ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀਓ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਅਸੀਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਦਾ ਵਰਣਨ ਕਰਾਂਗੇ ।
1 ਹੇ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਦੇ ਅਯਾਲੀ, ਜਿਹੜਾ ਇੱਜੜ ਦੀ ਨਿਆਈਂ ਯੂਸੁਫ ਦੀ ਅਗਵਾਈ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈਂ ਕੰਨ ਧਰ, ਤੂੰ ਹੋ ਕਰੂਬੀਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਉੱਪਰ ਬਿਰਾਜਮਾਨ ਹੈਂ ਆਪਣਾ ਤੇਜ ਵਿਖਾ ! 2 ਇਫਰਾਈਮ, ਬਿਨਯਾਮੀਨ ਅਤੇ ਮਨੱਸ਼ਹ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਬਲ ਜਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਡੇ ਬਚਾਓ ਲਈ ਆ ! 3 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਸਾਨੂੰ ਬਹਾਲ ਕਰ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਦਾ ਚਮਕਾਰਾ ਵਿਖਾ ਤਾਂ ਅਸੀਂ ਬਚ ਜਾਂਵਾਂਗੇ ! । 4 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸੈਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਤੂੰ ਕਦ ਤਾਈਂ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਦੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾ ਉੱਤੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਕਹਿਰ ਰੂਪੀ ਧੂੰਆਂ ਕਰਦਾ ਰਹੇਂਗਾ ? 5 ਤੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਅੰਝੂਆਂ ਦੀ ਰੋਟੀ ਖਵਾਈ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਬਾਟੇ ਭਰ ਕੇ ਅੰਝੂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪਿਆਏ । 6 ਸਾਡੇ ਗੁਆਂਢੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਤੂੰ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਝਗੜੇ ਦਾ ਕਾਰਨ ਬਣਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਡੇ ਵੈਰੀ ਆਪੋ ਵਿੱਚ ਹਾਸੀ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ । 7 ਹੇ ਸੈਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਸਾਨੂੰ ਬਹਾਲ ਕਰ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਦਾ ਚਮਕਾਰਾ ਵਿਖਾ ਤਾਂ ਅਸੀਂ ਬਚ ਜਾਂਵਾਂਗੇ ! । 8 ਤੂੰ ਮਿਸਰ ਤੋਂ ਇੱਕ ਦਾਖ ਦੀ ਬੇਲ ਨੂੰ ਕੱਢ ਲਿਆਇਆ, ਤੂੰ ਪਰਾਈਆਂ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਾਹਰ ਕੱਢ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਲਾਇਆ । 9 ਤੂੰ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਥਾਂ ਤਿਆਰ ਕੀਤਾ, ਉਸ ਨੇ ਡੂੰਘੀ ਜੜ੍ਹ ਫੜੀ ਤੇ ਵਧ ਕੇ ਦੇਸ ਨੂੰ ਭਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ । 10 ਪਹਾੜ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਛਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਕੱਜੇ ਗਏ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੀਆਂ ਟਹਿਣੀਆਂ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਦਿਆਰਾਂ ਵਰਗੀਆਂ ਸਨ । 11 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਤੱਕ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਡਾਲੀਆਂ ਪਸਾਰੀਆਂ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਸ਼ਾਖਾਂ ਨਦੀ ਤਾਈਂ । 12 ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਵਾੜਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕਿਸ ਲਈ ਤੋੜਿਆ, ਕਿ ਜਿੰਨੇ ਉੱਥੋਂ ਦੀ ਲੰਘਦੇ ਹਨ ਓਹ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਤੋੜਦੇ ਹਨ ? 13 ਜੰਗਲੀ ਸੂਰ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਉਜੜਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਰੜ੍ਹ ਦੇ ਜਾਨਵਰ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਖਾ ਲੈਂਦੇ ਹਨ । 14 ਹੇ ਸੈਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੋੜਾ ਪਾ, ਸਵਰਗੋਂ ਧਿਆਨ ਕਰਕੇ ਵੇਖ ਤੇ ਇਸ ਵੇਲ ਦੀ ਸੁੱਧ ਲੈ, 15 ਉਸ ਦੀ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਕਰ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਸੱਜੇ ਹੱਥ ਨੇ ਲਾਇਆ ਹੈ, ਨਾਲੇ ਉਸ ਪੁੱਤਰ ਦੀ ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਲਈ ਤਕੜਾ ਕੀਤਾ । 16 ਉਹ ਅੱਗ ਨਾਲ ਸਾੜਿਆ ਗਿਆ, ਉਹ ਵੱਢਿਆ ਗਿਆ, ਓਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਮੁਖੜੇ ਦੇ ਦਬਕੇ ਨਾਲ ਨਾਸ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ । 17 ਤੇਰੇ ਸੱਜੇ ਹੱਥ ਦੇ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਉੱਤੇ ਤੇਰਾ ਹੱਥ ਹੋਵੇ, ਉਸ ਆਦਮੀ ਦੀ ਅੰਸ ਉੱਤੇ ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਲਈ ਤਕੜਾ ਕੀਤਾ । 18 ਤਾਂ ਅਸੀਂ ਤੈਥੋਂ ਪਿਛਾਹਾਂ ਨਾ ਹਟਾਂਗੇ, ਸਾਨੂੰ ਜੀਵਾਲ, ਤਾਂ ਅਸੀਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਉੱਤੇ ਪੁਕਾਰਾਂਗੇ । 19 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸੈਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਸਾਨੂੰ ਬਹਾਲ ਕਰ, ਆਪਣੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਦਾ ਚਮਕਾਰਾ ਵਿਖਾ ਤਾਂ ਅਸੀਂ ਬਚ ਜਾਂਵਾਂਗੇ ! ।
1 ਸਾਡੇ ਬਲ ਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦਾ ਜੈਕਾਰਾ ਗਜਾਓ, ਯਾਕੂਬ ਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਲਈ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਨਾਲ ਲਲਕਾਰੋ ! 2 ਕੋਈ ਭਜਨ ਛੇੜੋ, ਅਤੇ ਡੱਫ, ਮਿੱਠੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਦੀ ਪਰਬਤ ਅਤੇ ਸਿਤਾਰ ਨਾਲ ਵਜਾਓ । 3 ਅਮੱਸਿਆ ਉੱਤੇ ਤੁਰ੍ਹੀ ਵਜਾਓ, ਨਾਲੇ ਪੂਰਨਮਾਸੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਵੀ ਜੋ ਸਾਡੇ ਪਰਬ ਦਾ ਦਿਨ ਹੈ । 4 ਉਹ ਤਾਂ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਲਈ ਇੱਕ ਬਿਧੀ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਯਾਕੂਬ ਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦਾ ਹੁਕਮਨਾਮਾ ਹੈ । 5 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਯੂਸੁਫ਼ ਲਈ ਸਾਖੀ ਠਹਿਰਾਇਆ, ਜਦ ਉਹ ਮਿਸਰ ਦੇਸ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਨਿੱਕਲਿਆ । ਮੈਂ ਇੱਕ ਹੀ ਬੋਲੀ ਸੁਣਨ ਲੱਗਾ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਣਦਾ, — 6 ਮੈਂ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਮੋਢੇ ਦੇ ਉੱਤੋਂ ਭਾਰ ਲਹਾਇਆ, ਉਹ ਦੇ ਹੱਥ ਟੋਕਰੀ ਤੋਂ ਛੁੱਟ ਗਏ । 7 ਤੂੰ ਬਿਪਤਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਪੈ ਕੇ ਪੁਕਾਰਿਆ ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾਇਆ, ਗੱਜਣ ਦੇ ਗੁਪਤ ਸਥਾਨ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਮੈਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਮਰੀਬਾਹ ਦੇ ਪਾਣੀ ਕੋਲ ਮੈਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਪਰਖਿਆ । ਸਲਹ । 8 ਸੁਣ, ਹੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਸਾਖੀ ਦਿਆਂਗਾ, ਹੇ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ, ਕਾਸ਼ ਕਿ ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੀ ਸੁਣਦਾ ! । 9 ਤੇਰੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਕੋਈ ਓਪਰਾ ਦਿਓਤਾ ਨਾ ਹੋਵੇ, ਅਤੇ ਨਾ ਤੂੰ ਕਿਸੇ ਪਰਾਏ ਦਿਓਤੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਮੱਥਾ ਟੇਕੀਂ ! 10 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਤੇਰਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਮੈਂ ਹੀ ਹਾਂ, ਜੋ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਮਿਸਰ ਦੇਸ ਤੋਂ ਕੱਢ ਲਿਆਇਆ, ਆਪਣਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਟੱਡ ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਭਰ ਦਿਆਂਗਾ । 11 ਪਰ ਮੇਰੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਨਾ ਸੁਣੀ, ਅਤੇ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਨਾ ਚਾਹਿਆ, 12 ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਮਨ ਦੇ ਖਚਰਪੁਣੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਜਾਣ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਕਿ ਓਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਹੀ ਮਤਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਚੱਲਣ । 13 ਕਾਸ਼ ਕੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਮੇਰੀ ਸੁਣਦੀ, ਅਤੇ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਾਰਗਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਚੱਲਦਾ ! 14 ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਛੇਤੀ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਹੇਠਾਂ ਦੱਬ ਦਿੰਦਾ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਹੱਥ ਚੁੱਕਦਾ ! 15 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਵੈਰੀ ਅਧੀਨ ਬਣ ਬਹਿੰਦੇ, ਪਰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਸਮਾਂ ਸਦਾ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ, 16 ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਚੰਗੀ ਤੋਂ ਚੰਗੀ ਕਣਕ ਖੁਆਲਦਾ, ਅਤੇ ਪਹਾੜੀ ਸ਼ਹਿਤ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤ ਕਰਦਾ ! ।
1 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੀ ਮੰਡਲੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਖਲੋਤਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਨਿਆਈਂਆਂ ਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਿਆਂ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, — 2 ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਦ ਤੋੜੀ ਟੇਡਾ ਨਿਆਂ ਕਰੋਗੇ, ਅਤੇ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਦਾ ਪੱਖਪਾਤ ਕਰੋਗੇ ? । ਸਲਹ । 3 ਨਿਤਾਣੇ ਅਤੇ ਯਤੀਮ ਦਾ ਨਿਆਂ ਕਰੋ, ਮਸਕੀਨ ਅਤੇ ਗਰੀਬ ਦਾ ਇਨਸਾਫ਼ ਕਰੋ । 4 ਨਿਤਾਣੇ ਅਤੇ ਕੰਗਾਲ ਨੂੰ ਬਚਾਓ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਦੇ ਹੱਥੋਂ ਛੁਡਾਓ । 5 ਓਹ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਣਦੇ ਅਤੇ ਨਾ ਸਮਝਦੇ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਫਿਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਧਰਤੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਨੀਂਹਾਂ ਡੋਲ ਜਾਂਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ । 6 ਮੈਂ ਆਖਿਆ, ਤੁਸੀਂ ਦਿਓਤੇ ਹੋ, ਅਤੇ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਸੱਭੇ ਅੱਤ ਮਹਾਨ ਦੇ ਪੁੱਤਰ ਹੋ । 7 ਪਰੰਤੂ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਇਨਸਾਨ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਮਾਰੋਗੇ ਅਤੇ ਸਰਦਾਰਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਇੱਕ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਡਿੱਗ ਪਓਗੇ ! । 8 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਉੱਠ, ਸੰਸਾਰ ਦਾ ਨਿਆਂ ਕਰ ! ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਮਿਰਾਸ ਬਣਾਵੇਂਗਾ ।
1 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਚੁੱਪ ਨਾ ਹੋ, ਚੁੱਪ ਕੀਤਾ ਨਾ ਰਹਿ ਅਤੇ ਚੈਨ ਨਾ ਲਈ, ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ! 2 ਵੇਖ ਤਾਂ, ਤੇਰੇ ਵੈਰੀ ਹੁੱਲੜ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਦੁਸ਼ਮਣ ਸਿਰ ਉਠਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ ! 3 ਓਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਛਲ ਮਤਾ ਮਤਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਰਾਖਵੇਂ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਗੋਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਗੰਢਦੇ ਹਨ । 4 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਆਖਿਆ, ਆਓ ਅਸੀਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੌਮ ਹੋਣ ਤੋਂ ਮਿਟਾ ਦੇਈਏ, ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਦਾ ਨਿਆਂ ਫੇਰ ਚੇਤੇ ਨਾ ਆਵੇ ! 5 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਇੱਕ ਮਨ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਗੋਸ਼ਟ ਗੰਢੀ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਨੇਮ ਬੰਨਿਆ ਜੈ, ― 6 ਅਦੋਮ ਦੇ ਤੰਬੂ ਵਾਲੇ ਅਤੇ ਇਸਰਾਏਲੀ, ਮੋਆਬ ਅਤੇ ਹਗਰੀ, 7 ਗਬਾਲ, ਅੰਮੋਨ ਅਤੇ ਅਮਲੇਕ, ਫ਼ਲਿਸਤ ਸੂਰ ਦੇ ਵਾਸੀਆਂ ਸਣੇ, 8 ਅੱਸ਼ੂਰ ਵੀ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਰਲ ਗਿਆ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਲੂਤ ਵੰਸੀਆਂ ਲਈ ਬਾਂਹ ਕੱਢੀ । ਸਲਹ । 9 ਤੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਇਹੋ ਜਿਹਾ ਕਰ ਜਿਹੋ ਜਿਹਾ ਤੂੰ ਮਿਦਯਾਨ, ਅਤੇ ਸੀਸਰਾ ਅਤੇ ਕੀਸ਼ੋਨ ਨਦੀ ਕੋਲ ਯਾਬੀਨ ਨਾਲ ਕੀਤਾ ! 10 ਏਨ- ਦੋਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਓਹ ਨਾਸ ਹੋਏ, ਭੋਂ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਓਹ ਰੂੜੀ ਬਣ ਗਏ । 11 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਪਤਵੰਤਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਓਰੇਬ ਅਤੇ ਜ਼ਏਬ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਸ਼ਜ਼ਾਦਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਜ਼ਬਹ ਅਤੇ ਸਲਮੁੰਨਾ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਕਰ, 12 ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਆਖਿਆ, ਅਸੀਂ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੀਆਂ ਚਾਰਗਾਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਕਾਬੂ ਕਰ ਲਈਏ ! । 13 ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਤੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵਾਵਰੋਲੇ ਦੀ ਧੂੜ, ਅਤੇ ਪੌਣ ਨਾਲ ਉਡਾਏ ਕੱਖ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਕਰ । 14 ਜਿਵੇਂ ਅੱਗ ਬਣ ਨੂੰ ਭਸਮ ਕਰਦੀ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਜਿਵੇਂ ਲਾਟ ਪਹਾੜਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਾੜਦੀ ਹੈ, 15 ਤਿਵੇਂ ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਤੁਫਾਨ ਨਾਲ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਪਿੱਛਾ ਕਰ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਝੱਖੜ-ਝੋਲੇ ਨਾਲ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਸਾਹ ਸੁਕਾ ! 16 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਨੂੰ ਨਮੋਸ਼ੀ ਨਾਲ ਕਾਲੇ ਕਰ, ਤਾਂ ਓਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਨੂੰ ਭਾਲਣ । 17 ਓਹ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਲੱਜਿਆਵਾਨ ਅਤੇ ਭੈਮਾਨ ਹੋਣ, ਓਹ ਘਾਬਰ ਜਾਣ ਅਤੇ ਨਸ਼ਟ ਹੋਣ, 18 ਕਿ ਓਹ ਜਾਣਨ ਕਿ ਇਕੱਲਾ ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਜਿਹ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਹੈ ਸਾਰੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਅੱਤ ਮਹਾਨ ਹੈਂ ! ।
1 ਹੇ ਸੈਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੇਰੇ ਡੇਹਰੇ ਕਿਹੇ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਰੱਤੇ ਹਨ ! 2 ਮੇਰਾ ਜੀਅ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਦਰਗਾਹਾਂ ਲਈ ਤਰਸਦਾ ਸਗੋਂ ਖੁੱਸਦਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਮੇਰਾ ਤਨ-ਮਨ ਜਿਉਂਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਲਈ ਜੈਕਾਰਾ ਗਜਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ ! 3 ਹੇ ਸੈਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੇਰੇ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਜਗਵੇਦੀਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਚਿੜੀ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਲਈ ਘਰ ਅਤੇ ਬਾਲਕਟਾਰੇ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਬੋਟਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਰੱਖਣ ਲਈ ਆਲਣਾ ਪਾਇਆ ਹੈ । 4 ਧੰਨ ਓਹ ਹਨ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਭਵਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੱਸਦੇ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਨਿੱਤ ਤੇਰੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰਨਗੇ ! । ਸਲਹ । 5 ਧੰਨ ਓਹ ਆਦਮੀ ਹੈ ਜਿਹ ਦਾ ਬਲ ਤੇਰੀ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਹੈ, ਜਿਹ ਦੇ ਮਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੇਰੇ ਮਾਰਗ ਹਨ ! 6 ਓਹ ਬਾਕਾ ਦੀ ਵਾਦੀ ਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਦੀ ਲੰਘਦਿਆਂ, ਉੱਥੇ ਪਾਣੀ ਦੇ ਚਸ਼ਮੇ ਵਗਾ ਦਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਸਗੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਮੀਂਹ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਬਰਕਤਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਢੱਕ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ । 7 ਓਹ ਬਲ ਤੇ ਬਲ ਪਾਉਂਦੇ ਚਲੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਹਰੇਕ ਸੀਯੋਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਅੱਗੇ ਵਿਖਾਈ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ । 8 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸੈਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੇਰੀ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਸੁਣ, ਹੇ ਯਾਕੂਬ ਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਆਪਣਾ ਕੰਨ ਲਾ ! । ਸਲਹ । 9 ਹੇ ਸਾਡੀ ਢਾਲ, ਵੇਖ, ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਆਪਣੇ ਮਸੀਹ ਦੇ ਮੁਖੜੇ ਵੱਲ ਧਿਆਨ ਕਰ ! 10 ਤੇਰੀ ਦਰਗਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਤਾਂ ਇੱਕ ਦਿਨ ਹਜ਼ਾਰ ਦਿਨਾਂ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਚੰਗਾ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਭਵਨ ਦਾ ਰਾਖਾ ਬਣਨਾ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਦੇ ਤੰਬੂ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੱਸਣ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਪਸੰਦ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 11 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਇੱਕ ਸੂਰਜ ਤੇ ਇੱਕ ਢਾਲ ਹੈ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਯਾ ਅਤੇ ਤੇਜ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ, ਉਹ ਸਿਧਿਆਈ ਵਿੱਚ ਚੱਲਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਕੋਈ ਚੰਗੀ ਚੀਜ਼ ਨਹੀਂ ਰੋਕੇਗਾ । 12 ਹੇ ਸੈਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਧੰਨ ਹੈ ਉਹ ਆਦਮੀ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਪਤੀਜਦਾ ਹੈ ! ।
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕੀਤੀ, ਯਾਕੂਬ ਦੀ ਗ਼ੁਲਾਮੀ ਨੂੰ ਤੂੰ ਮੁਕਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ । 2 ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਦੀ ਬੁਰਿਆਈ ਤੂੰ ਮਾਫ਼ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੈ, ਤੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਪਾਪਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੱਜ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ । ਸਲਹ । 3 ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਕੋਪ ਨੂੰ ਹਟਾ ਲਿਆ, ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਦੀ ਤੇਜ਼ੀ ਤੋਂ ਮੁੜਿਆ ਹੈਂ । 4 ਹੇ ਸਾਡੇ ਬਚਾਉਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਸਾਡੀ ਵੱਲ ਮੂੰਹ ਮੋੜ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਰੋਹ ਨੂੰ ਸਾਥੋਂ ਦੂਰ ਕਰ ! 5 ਕੀ ਤੂੰ ਸਦਾ ਤੋੜੀ ਸਾਥੋਂ ਕ੍ਰੋਧਵਾਨ ਰਹੇਂਗਾ ? ਕੀ ਤੂੰ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀਓ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਆਪਣੇ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਰੀ ਰੱਖੇਂਗਾ ? 6 ਕੀ ਤੂੰ ਫੇਰ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਨਾ ਜਵਾਲੇਂਗਾ, ਕਿ ਤੇਰੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਵੇ ? 7 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਆਪਣੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਵਿਖਾ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਮੁਕਤੀ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਬਖਸ਼ ! । 8 ਮੈਂ ਸੁਣ ਲਵਾਂ ਕਿ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਕੀ ਆਖੇਗਾ, ਉਹ ਤਾਂ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਸੰਤਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਸ਼ਾਂਤੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਕਰੇਗਾ, ਕਿ ਓਹ ਫੇਰ ਮੂਰਖਤਾਈ ਵੱਲ ਨਾ ਮੁੜਨ । 9 ਨਿਸੰਗ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਛੁਟਕਾਰਾ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਭੈ ਮੰਨਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਨੇੜੇ ਹੈ, ਕਿ ਸਾਡੇ ਦੇਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਵੱਸੇ ! 10 ਦਯਾ ਅਤੇ ਸਚਿਆਈ ਆਪੋ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਿਲ ਗਈਆਂ, ਧਰਮ ਅਤੇ ਸ਼ਾਂਤੀ ਨੇ ਇੱਕ ਦੂਏ ਨੂੰ ਚੁੰਮਿਆ ਹੈ । 11 ਸਚਿਆਈ ਧਰਤੀ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਉੱਗਦੀ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਸਵਰਗ ਤੋਂ ਧਰਮ ਝਾਕਦਾ ਹੈ । 12 ਫੇਰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉੱਤਮ ਪਦਾਰਥ ਬਖਸ਼ੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਡੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਆਪਣੀ ਉਪਜ ਦੇਵੇਗੀ । 13 ਧਰਮ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ-ਅੱਗੇ ਚੱਲੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਖੁਰਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਇੱਕ ਰਸਤਾ ਬਣਾਵੇਗਾ ।
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਆਪਣਾ ਕੰਨ ਝੁਕਾ ਅਤੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦੇ ! ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਮਸਕੀਨ ਤੇ ਕੰਗਾਲ ਹਾਂ । 2 ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਦੀ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਕਰ ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਤਾਂ ਇੱਕ ਭਗਤ ਹਾਂ, ਤੂੰ ਜੋ ਮੇਰਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਸੇਵਕ ਨੂੰ ਬਚਾ ਲਈ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਪਤੀਜਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 3 ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰ, ਮੈਂ ਤਾਂ ਸਾਰਾ ਦਿਨ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 4 ਆਪਣੇ ਸੇਵਕ ਦੇ ਜੀਅ ਨੂੰ ਅਨੰਦ ਕਰ, ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਮੈਂ ਤਾਂ ਆਪਣਾ ਜੀਅ ਤੇਰੇ ਵੱਲ ਲਾਉਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 5 ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਤੂੰ ਭਲਾ ਤੇ ਦਯਾਲੂ ਹੈਂ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਪੁਕਾਰਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਲਈ ਅੱਤ ਕਿਰਪਾਲੂ ਹੈਂ । 6 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੇਰੀ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਕੰਨ ਲਾ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਅਰਦਾਸਾਂ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਵੱਲ ਧਿਆਨ ਕਰ ! 7 ਮੈਂ ਬਿਪਤਾ ਦੇ ਦਿਨ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰਾਂਗਾ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦੇਵੇਂਗਾ । 8 ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਦੇਵਤਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੇਰੇ ਤੁੱਲ ਕੋਈ ਨਹੀਂ, ਤੇਰੇ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਵਰਗਾ ਕੋਈ ਕੰਮ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ । 9 ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਓਹ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤੂੰ ਸਾਜਿਆ, ਆਣ ਕੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਮੱਥਾ ਟੇਕਣਗੀਆਂ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਨੂੰ ਵਡਿਆਉਣਗੀਆਂ । 10 ਤੂੰ ਮਹਾਨ ਹੈਂ ਅਤੇ ਅਚਰਜ ਕਰਤੱਬ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੈਂ ! 11 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਰਾਹ ਸਿਖਲਾ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਸਚਿਆਈ ਵਿੱਚ ਚੱਲਾਂਗਾ, ਮੇਰੇ ਦਿਲ ਨੂੰ ਇਕਾਗਰ ਕਰ ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਦਾ ਭੈ ਮੰਨਾ । 12 ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਮਨ ਨਾਲ ਤੇਰਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 13 ਤੇਰੀ ਦਯਾ ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਵੱਡੀ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਹੇਠਲੇ ਪਤਾਲ ਤੋਂ ਕੱਢਿਆ ਹੈ । 14 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਹੰਕਾਰੀ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਉੱਠ ਖਲੋਤੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਜ਼ਾਲਮਾਂ ਦੀ ਮੰਡਲੀ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਭਾਲ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ, ਪਰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਰੱਖਿਆ । 15 ਪਰ ਤੂੰ, ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਦਯਾਲੂ ਅਤੇ ਕਿਰਪਾਲੂ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੈਂ, ਤੂੰ ਗੁੱਸੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਧੀਰਜੀ ਅਤੇ ਦਯਾ ਤੇ ਵਫ਼ਾਦਾਰੀ ਨਾਲ ਭਰਪੂਰ ਹੈਂ । 16 ਮੇਰੀ ਵੱਲ ਮੂੰਹ ਫੇਰ ਅਤੇ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰ, ਆਪਣੇ ਸੇਵਕ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਬਲ ਦੇ, ਆਪਣੀ ਗੋੱਲੀ ਦੇ ਪੁੱਤਰ ਨੂੰ ਬਚਾ ਲੈ ! 17 ਆਪਣੀ ਭਲਿਆਈ ਦਾ ਕੋਈ ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਵਿਖਾ, ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਮੇਰੇ ਵੈਰੀ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਵੇਖ ਕੇ ਨਿਮੂਝਾਣੇ ਰਹਿ ਜਾਣ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਕੀਤੀ ਅਤੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸ਼ਾਂਤੀ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਹੈ ।
1 ਉਹ ਦੇ ਨੀਂਹ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਪਹਾੜ ਹੈ । 2 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਯਾਕੂਬ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਡੇਹਰਿਆਂ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਸੀਯੋਨ ਦੇ ਫਾਟਕਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹੈ । 3 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਹਿਰ, ਤੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਸ਼ਾਨਦਾਰ ਬੋਲ ਬੋਲੇ ਜਾ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ ! । ਸਲਹ । 4 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਜਾਣੂਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਹਬ ਅਤੇ ਬਾਬਲ ਦਾ ਚਰਚਾ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਵੇਖੋ, ਫ਼ਲਿਸਤ ਅਤੇ ਸੂਰ ਅਤੇ ਕੂਸ਼ ਦਾ ਵੀ, ਕਿ ਇਹ ਉੱਥੇ ਜੰਮਿਆਂ ਸੀ । 5 ਸਗੋਂ ਸੀਯੋਨ ਲਈ ਆਖਿਆ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ, ਕਿ ਇਹ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਤੇ ਉਹ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਉੱਥੇ ਜੰਮੇ, ਅਤੇ ਅੱਤ ਮਹਾਨ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਕਾਇਮ ਰੱਖੇਗਾ । 6 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉੱਮਤਾਂ ਦੀ ਗਿਣਤੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਲਿਖੇਗਾ, ਕਿ ਏਹ ਵੀ ਉੱਥੇ ਜੰਮਿਆ । ਸਲਹ । 7 ਰਾਗੀ ਅਤੇ ਨਚਾਰ ਆਖਣਗੇ, ਮੇਰੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਚਸ਼ਮੇਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਹਨ ।
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੇਰੇ ਮੁਕਤੀ ਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੈਂ ਦਿਨ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਅਤੇ ਰਾਤ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਤੇਰੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਦੁਹਾਈ ਦਿੱਤੀ । 2 ਮੇਰੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਹਜ਼ੂਰ ਪਹੁੰਚੇ, ਮੇਰੀ ਹਾਹਾ ਕਾਰ ਵੱਲ ਕੰਨ ਝੁਕਾ ! 3 ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਤਾਂ ਬੁਰਿਆਈਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਭਰੀ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਜੀਵਨ ਪਤਾਲ ਦੇ ਨੇੜੇ ਢੁੱਕਦਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ । 4 ਮੈਂ ਗੋਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਲਹਿਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਗਿਣਿਆ ਗਿਆ, ਮੈਂ ਨਿਰਬਲ ਮਰਦ ਵਰਗਾ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ ਹਾਂ । 5 ਮੈਂ ਮੁਰਦਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੁੱਟਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹਾਂ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵੱਢਿਆ ਹੋਈਆਂ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਕਬਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੇਟੇ ਪਏ ਹਨ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤੂੰ ਫੇਰ ਚੇਤੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਦਾ, ਅਤੇ ਓਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਹੱਥੋਂ ਵਿੱਛੜ ਗਏ ਹਨ । 6 ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਅੱਤ ਡੂੰਘੀ ਗੋਰ, ਅਤੇ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰਿਆਂ ਤੇ ਗਹਿਰਿਆਂ ਥਾਵਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ । 7 ਤੇਰਾ ਕਹਿਰ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਡਾਢਾ ਭਾਰੀ ਪਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਮੌਜਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਦੁੱਖ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ । ਸਲਹ । 8 ਮੇਰੇ ਜਾਣ ਪਛਾਣਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤੂੰ ਮੈਥੋਂ ਦੂਰ ਕੀਤਾ, ਅਤੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਲਈ ਘਿਣਾਉਣਾ ਬਣਾਇਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਬੰਦ ਹਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਮੈਥੋਂ ਬਾਹਰ ਨਿੱਕਲਿਆ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਂਦਾ ! 9 ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਦੁੱਖ ਨਾਲ ਅੰਬ ਗਈਆਂ ਹਨ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਂ ਨਿੱਤ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰਿਆ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਹੱਥ ਤੇਰੀ ਵੱਲ ਅੱਡੇ ਹੋਏ ਹਨ । 10 ਕੀ ਤੂੰ ਮੁਰਦਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਅਚਰਜ ਵਿਖਾਵੇਂਗਾ ? ਕੀ ਰੂਹਾਂ ਉੱਠ ਕੇ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਸਲਾਹੁਣਗੀਆਂ ? । ਸਲਹ । 11 ਕੀ ਕਬਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੇਰੀ ਦਯਾ, ਅਤੇ ਨਰਕ ਕੁੰਡ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੇਰੀ ਸਚਿਆਈ ਦਾ ਵਰਣਨ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ ? 12 ਕੀ ਤੇਰੇ ਅਚਰਜ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਾਣੇ ਜਾਣਗੇ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰਾ ਧਰਮ ਭੁੱਲਣਹਾਰੇ ਦੇਸ ਵਿੱਚ ? 13 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਦੁਹਾਈ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਅਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵੇਲੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਹਜ਼ੂਰ ਆਵੇਗੀ ? 14 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੂੰ ਕਿਉਂ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਤਿਆਗਦਾ ਹੈਂ ? ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਮੈਥੋਂ ਕਿਉਂ ਲੁਕਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈਂ ? 15 ਮੈਂ ਜਵਾਨੀ ਤੋਂ ਦੁਖਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਮਰਨਾਊ ਰਿਹਾ ਹਾਂ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਡਰ ਨੂੰ ਸਹਿ ਕੇ ਘਾਬਰ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 16 ਤੇਰਾ ਤੇਜ ਗੁੱਸਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੋਂ ਦੀ ਲੰਘਿਆ, ਤੇਰੇ ਹੌਲ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮੁਕਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ । 17 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਪਾਣੀ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਾਰਾ ਦਿਨ ਘੇਰ ਛੱਡਿਆ ਹੈ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉੱਕਾ ਹੀ ਡੱਕ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ । 18 ਤੂੰ ਪ੍ਰੇਮੀ ਅਤੇ ਮਿੱਤਰ ਮੈਥੋਂ ਦੂਰ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਜਾਣ-ਪਛਾਣ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰ ਵਿੱਚ ! ।
1 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਮਿਹਰਬਾਨੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਗੀਤ ਮੈਂ ਸਦਾ ਗਾਵਾਂਗਾ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਵਫ਼ਾਦਾਰੀ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਮੂੰਹੋਂ ਸਮਝਾਵਾਂਗਾ । 2 ਮੈਂ ਤਾਂ ਆਖਿਆ, ਤੇਰੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦਾ ਤੋੜੀ ਬਣੀ ਰਹੇਗੀ, ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਵਫ਼ਾਦਾਰੀ ਨੂੰ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਾਇਮ ਕਰੇਂਗਾ । 3 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਚੁਣੇ ਹੋਏ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਨੇਮ ਬੰਨ੍ਹਿਆ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਦਾਸ ਦਾਊਦ ਨਾਲ ਸਹੁੰ ਖਾਧੀ, 4 ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਅੰਸ ਨੂੰ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਕਾਇਮ ਰੱਖਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਰਾਜ ਗੱਦੀ ਨੂੰ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀਓ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਬਣਾਈ ਰੱਖਾਂਗਾ । ਸਲਹ । 5 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਤੇਰੇ ਅਚਰਜਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਲਾਹੁਣਗੇ, ਨਾਲੇ ਸੰਤਾਂ ਦੀ ਸੰਗਤ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੇਰੀ ਵਫ਼ਾਦਾਰੀ ਨੂੰ ! 6 ਗਗਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਤੁੱਲ ਕੌਣ ਹੋ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ ? ਦੇਵਤਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਪੁੱਤਰਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਕੌਣ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਸਮਾਨ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ ? 7 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਪਵਿੱਤਰਾਂ ਦੀ ਘੋਸ਼ਟੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਅੱਤ ਭਿਆਣਕ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਲੇ-ਦੁਆਲੇ ਦੇ ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਭੈ ਦਾਇਕ ਹੈ ! 8 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਸੈਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੇਰੇ ਤੁੱਲ ਸ਼ਕਤੀਮਾਨ ਕੌਣ ਹੈ ? ਤੇਰੀ ਵਫ਼ਾਦਾਰੀ ਤੇਰੇ ਆਲੇ-ਦੁਆਲੇ ਹੈ, 9 ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਦੇ ਉਛਾਲ ਉੱਤੇ ਹਕੂਮਤ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਜਾਂ ਉਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਠਾਠਾਂ ਉੱਠ ਪੈਂਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ, ਤਾਂ ਤੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਥੰਮ੍ਹ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈਂ । 10 ਤੂੰ ਰਹਬ ਨੂੰ ਕਿਸੇ ਵੱਢੇ ਹੋਏ ਚੋਏ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਚੂਰ-ਚੂਰ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਬਾਂਹਵਾਂ ਦੇ ਬਲ ਨਾਲ ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਛਿੰਨ ਭਿੰਨ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ ! 11 ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਤੇਰੇ ਹਨ, ਧਰਤੀ ਵੀ ਤੇਰੀ ਹੈ, ਜਗਤ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਭਰਪੂਰੀ ਦੀ ਨੀਂਹ ਤੂੰ ਰੱਖੀ । 12 ਉੱਤਰ ਅਤੇ ਦੁੱਖਣ ਨੂੰ ਤੂੰ ਉਤਪਤ ਕੀਤਾ, ਤਾਬੋਰ ਤੇ ਹਰਮੋਨ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਦਾ ਜੈਕਾਰਾ ਗਜਾਉਣਗੇ । 13 ਤੇਰੀ ਬਾਂਹ ਬਲਵੰਤ ਹੈ, ਤੇਰਾ ਹੱਥ ਸ਼ਕਤੀਮਾਨ, ਤੇਰਾ ਸੱਜਾ ਹੱਥ ਉੱਚਾ ਹੈ ! 14 ਧਰਮ ਤੇ ਨਿਆਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਰਾਜ ਗੱਦੀ ਦੇ ਨੀਂਹ ਹਨ, ਦਯਾ ਤੇ ਵਫ਼ਾਦਾਰੀ ਤੇਰੇ ਅੱਗੇ-ਅੱਗੇ ਚੱਲਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ । 15 ਧੰਨ ਓਹ ਲੋਕ ਹਨ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਲਲਕਾਰ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਣਦੇ ਹਨ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਓਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਚਿਹਰੇ ਦੇ ਚਾਨਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੁਰਦੇ ਹਨ ! 16 ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਉੱਤੇ ਓਹ ਸਾਰਾ ਦਿਨ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਮਨਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਧਰਮ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਓਹ ਉੱਚੇ ਕੀਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ । 17 ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਤਾਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਬਲ ਦਾ ਜਲਾਲ ਹੈਂ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਮਿਹਰਬਾਨੀ ਨਾਲ ਸਾਡਾ ਸਿੰਙ ਉੱਚਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ । 18 ਸਾਡੀ ਢਾਲ ਤਾਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਡਾ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਦੇ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਪੁਰਖ ਦਾ ਹੈ ।
19 ਤਦ ਮੈਂ ਦਰਸ਼ਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਪਣੇ ਸੰਤਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਬਚਨ ਕੀਤਾ, ਅਤੇ ਫਰਮਾਇਆ ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਇੱਕ ਸੂਰਮੇ ਨੂੰ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਪਰਜਾ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਚੁਣ ਕੇ ਇੱਕ ਨੂੰ ਉੱਚਿਆ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ । 20 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਦਾਸ ਦਾਊਦ ਨੂੰ ਲੱਭ ਕੇ, ਆਪਣੇ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਤੇਲ ਨਾਲ ਮਸਹ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ, 21 ਜਿਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਮੇਰਾ ਹੱਥ ਦ੍ਰਿੜ ਰਹੇਗਾ, ਨਾਲੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਬਾਂਹ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਤਕੜਾਈ ਦੇਵੇਗੀ । 22 ਨਾ ਕੋਈ ਵੈਰੀ ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਚੱਟੀ ਲਵੇਗਾ, ਨਾ ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਦਾ ਪੁੱਤਰ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਔਖਿਆਂ ਕਰੇਗਾ । 23 ਮੈਂ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੋਂ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਮਾਰਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੁੱਟਾਂਗਾ । 24 ਪਰ ਮੇਰੀ ਵਫ਼ਾਦਾਰੀ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਦਯਾ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਰਹੇਗੀ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਸਿੰਙ ਉੱਚਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ, 25 ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਹੱਥ ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਉੱਤੇ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਸੱਜਾ ਹੱਥ ਨਦੀਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਰੱਖਾਂਗਾ । 26 ਇਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰ ਕੇ ਆਖੇਗਾ, ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰਾ ਪਿਤਾ, ਮੇਰਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਮੁਕਤੀ ਦੀ ਚੱਟਾਨ ਹੈਂ ! 27 ਮੈਂ ਵੀ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਜੇਠਾ, ਅਤੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਦਿਆਂ ਰਾਜਿਆਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਅੱਤ ਮਹਾਨ ਬਣਾਵਾਂਗਾ । 28 ਮੈਂ ਸਦਾ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਆਪਣੀ ਦਯਾ ਬਣਾਈ ਰੱਖਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਨੇਮ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਪੱਕਾ ਰਹੇਗਾ, 29 ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਵੰਸ ਨੂੰ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਰਾਜ ਗੱਦੀ ਨੂੰ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਦੇ ਦਿਨਾਂ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਸਾਂਭਾਂਗਾ । 30 ਜੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਬੱਚੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਨੂੰ ਤਿਆਗ ਦੇਣ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਨਿਆਵਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਨਾ ਚੱਲਣ, 31 ਜੇ ਓਹ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਗੜ ਦੇਣ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਹੁਕਮਾਂ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਨਾ ਕਰਨ, 32 ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਡੰਡੇ ਨਾਲ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਅਪਰਾਧਾਂ ਦੀ ਅਤੇ ਕੋਰੜਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਬਦੀ ਦੀ ਸਜ਼ਾ ਦਿਆਂਗਾ । 33 ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੀ ਦਯਾ ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਹਟਾ ਨਾ ਲਵਾਂਗਾ, ਨਾ ਆਪਣੀ ਵਫਦਾਰੀ ਛੱਡ ਕੇ ਝੂਠਾ ਹੋਵਾਂਗਾ । 34 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਨੇਮ ਨੂੰ ਭਰਿਸ਼ਟ ਨਾ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਜੋ ਮੇਰੇ ਬੁੱਲ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਨਿੱਕਲਿਆ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਨਾ ਬਦਲਾਂਗਾ । 35 ਇੱਕ ਵਾਰ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਵਿੱਤਰਤਾਈ ਦੀ ਸਹੁੰ ਖਾ ਚੁੱਕਾ ਹਾਂ, ਫੇਰ ਦਾਊਦ ਨਾਲ ਝੂਠ ਨਾ ਬੋਲਾਂਗਾ । 36 ਉਹ ਦਾ ਵੰਸ ਅੰਤਰਾਲ ਤੱਕ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਰਾਜ ਗੱਦੀ ਸੂਰਜ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਬਣੀ ਰਹੇਗੀ । 37 ਉਹ ਚੰਦਰਮਾਂ ਜਿਹੀ ਕਾਇਮ ਰਹੇਗੀ, ਅਤੇ ਗਗਣ ਦੀ ਸੱਚੀ ਸਾਖੀ ਜਿਹੀ । ਸਲਹ ।
38 ਪਰ ਤੂੰ ਤਾਂ ਤਿਆਗ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਅਤੇ ਰੱਦ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ, ਤੂੰ ਤਾਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਸਹ ਕੀਤੇ ਹੋਏ ਉੱਤੇ ਕ੍ਰੋਧਵਾਨ ਹੋਈਆਂ ਹੈਂ, 39 ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਦਾਸ ਦੇ ਨੇਮ ਨੂੰ ਘਿਣਾਉਣਾ ਸਮਝਿਆ, ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਮੁਕਟ ਨੂੰ ਮਿੱਟੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਭਰਿਸ਼ਟ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ, 40 ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਵਾੜਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤੋੜ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ, ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਕਿਲਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਥੇਹ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ ! 41 ਉਸ ਰਾਹ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਲੰਘਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਲੁੱਟਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਹ ਦੇ ਗੁਆਂਢੀ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਨਿੰਦਿਆ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ । 42 ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਸੱਜੇ ਹੱਥ ਨੂੰ ਉੱਚਿਆਂ ਕੀਤਾ, ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਅਨੰਦ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ ! 43 ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਤਲਵਾਰ ਦੀ ਧਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਮੋੜ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਲੜਾਈ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਖਲੋਣ ਨਹੀਂ ਦਿੱਤਾ । 44 ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਤੇਜ ਨੂੰ ਮੁਕਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਰਾਜ ਗੱਦੀ ਨੂੰ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਪਟਕਾ ਮਾਰਿਆ । 45 ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਜਵਾਨੀ ਦੇ ਦਿਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਘਟਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ, ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਲਾਜ ਵਿੱਚ ਲਪੇਟਿਆ ਹੈ ! । ਸਲਹ ।
46 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਕਦ ਤੱਕ ? ਕੀ ਤੂੰ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ ਲੁਕਾਈ ਰੱਖੇਂਗਾ ? ਕਦ ਤੱਕ ਤੇਰਾ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਅੱਗ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਭੱਖਦਾ ਰਹੇਗਾ ? 47 ਚੇਤੇ ਕਰ ਕਿ ਮੇਰਾ ਵੇਲਾ ਕਿੰਨਾ ਘੱਟ ਹੈ, ਤੂੰ ਕਿਹੜੇ ਵਿਅਰਥ ਲਈ ਸਾਰੇ ਆਦਮ ਵੰਸ ਨੂੰ ਉਤਪਤ ਕੀਤਾ ! 48 ਕਿਹੜਾ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਜਿਉਂਦਾ ਰਹੇਗਾ ਅਤੇ ਮੌਤ ਨੂੰ ਨਾ ਵੇਖੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਪਤਾਲ ਦੇ ਵੱਸ ਤੋਂ ਛੁਡਾਵੇਗਾ ? । ਸਲਹ । 49 ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਓਹ ਪਹਿਲੀਆਂ ਦਿਆਲਗੀਆਂ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਹਨ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਵਿਖੇ ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਵਫ਼ਾਦਾਰੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਦਾਊਦ ਨਾਲ ਸਹੁੰ ਖਾਧੀ ਸੀ ? 50 ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਆਪਣੇ ਦਾਸਾਂ ਦੇ ਉਲਾਹਮਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਚੇਤਾ ਕਰ, ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੀ ਛਾਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦੇ ਉਲਾਹਮੇ ਚੁੱਕੀ ਬੈਠਾ ਹਾਂ, 51 ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ, ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਤੇਰੇ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਤਾਨੇ ਮਾਰੇ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਮਸਹ ਕੀਤੇ ਹੋਏ ਦੇ ਖੁਰਿਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਤਾਨੇ ਮਾਰੇ । 52 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਹੋਵੇ ! ਆਮੀਨ, ਫੇਰ ਆਮੀਨ ! ।
1 ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀਓ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ, ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਸਾਡੀ ਵੱਸੋਂ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈਂ । 2 ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਕਿ ਪਹਾੜ ਉਤਪਤ ਹੋਏ, ਅਤੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਅਤੇ ਜਗਤ ਨੂੰ ਤੂੰ ਰਚਿਆ, ਆਦ ਤੋਂ ਅੰਤ ਤੱਕ ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੈਂ । 3 ਤੂੰ ਇਨਸਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਖਾਕ ਵੱਲ ਮੋੜ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਅਤੇ ਫਰਮਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਹੇ ਆਦਮ ਵੰਸੀਓ, ਮੁੜੋ ! 4 ਤੇਰੀ ਨਿਗਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਤਾਂ ਹਜ਼ਾਰ ਵਰ੍ਹੇ ਕੱਲ ਦੇ ਦਿਨ ਵਰਗੇ ਜਦ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਬੀਤ ਜਾਵੇ, ਅਤੇ ਇੱਕ ਪਹਿਰ ਰਾਤ ਵਰਗੇ ਹਨ । 5 ਤੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਹੜ੍ਹ ਨਾਲ ਹੂੰਝ ਲੈ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਓਹ ਨੀਂਦ ਵਰਗੇ ਹਨ, ਸਵੇਰ ਨੂੰ ਓਹ ਉਸ ਘਾਹ ਹਨ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਪੁੰਗਰਦਾ ਹੈ । 6 ਸਵੇਰ ਨੂੰ ਉਹ ਲਹਿ ਲਹਿ ਕਰਦਾ ਅਤੇ ਵਧਦਾ ਹੈ, ਸੰਝ ਨੂੰ ਵੱਢਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਅਤੇ ਸੁੱਕ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ । 7 ਅਸੀਂ ਤਾਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਗੁੱਸੇ ਨਾਲ ਮੁੱਕ ਜਾਂਦੇ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਕਹਿਰ ਨਾਲ ਘਾਬਰ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਾਂ । 8 ਤੂੰ ਸਾਡੀਆਂ ਬਦੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਅੱਗੇ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਡੇ ਲੁਕੇ ਹੋਏ ਪਾਪਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਚਿਹਰੇ ਦੇ ਚਾਨਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ । 9 ਸਾਡੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਦਿਹਾੜੇ ਤਾਂ ਕਹਿਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਬੀਤਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਸੀਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਵਰ੍ਹਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਇੱਕ ਸਾਹ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਮੁਕਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਾਂ । 10 ਸਾਡੀ ਉਮਰ ਦੇ ਦਿਨ ਸੱਤਰ ਵਰ੍ਹੇ ਹਨ, ਪਰ ਜੇ ਸਾਹ ਸੱਚ ਹੋਵੇ ਤਾਂ ਅੱਸੀ ਵਰ੍ਹੇ, ਪਰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਆਕੜ ਕਸ਼ਟ ਅਤੇ ਸੋਗ ਹੀ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਛੇਤੀ ਬੀਤ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਅਸੀਂ ਉਡਾਰੀ ਮਾਰ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਾਂ । 11 ਤੇਰੇ ਗੁੱਸੇ ਦੇ ਜ਼ੋਰ ਨੂੰ ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਕਹਿਰ ਨੂੰ ਤੇਰੇ ਭੈ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਕੌਣ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਹੈ ? 12 ਸਾਨੂੰ ਸਾਡੇ ਦਿਨ ਗਿਣਨ ਐਉਂ ਸਿਖਲਾ, ਕਿ ਅਸੀਂ ਹਿਕਮਤ ਵਾਲਾ ਮਨ ਪਰਾਪਤ ਕਰੀਏ । 13 ਮੁੜ ਆ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਕਿੰਨਾ ਚਿਰ ਤੱਕ ? ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਦਾਸਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਤਰਸ ਖਾਹ ! 14 ਸਵੇਰ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਦਯਾ ਨਾਲ ਸਾਡੀ ਨਿਸ਼ਾ ਕਰ, ਕਿ ਅਸੀਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਦਿਨ ਜੈਕਾਰੇ ਗਜਾਈਏ ਅਤੇ ਅਨੰਦ ਕਰੀਏ । 15 ਸਾਨੂੰ ਉੰਨੇ ਦਿਨ ਅਨੰਦ ਕਰਵਾ ਜਿੰਨਾ ਚਿਰ ਤੂੰ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਦੁਖੀ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਜਿੰਨੇ ਵਰ੍ਹੇ ਅਸੀਂ ਬੁਰਿਆਈ ਵੇਖੀ ਹੈ । 16 ਤੇਰੀ ਕਾਰ ਤੇਰੇ ਦਾਸਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰਾ ਤੇਜ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਅੰਸ ਉੱਤੇ ਪਰਗਟ ਹੋਵੇ । 17 ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਸਾਡੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੀ ਪਰਸੰਨਤਾ ਸਾਡੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਹੋਵੇ, ਸਾਡੇ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਦੇ ਕੰਮ ਸਾਡੇ ਲਈ ਕਾਇਮ ਕਰ, ਹਾਂ, ਸਾਡੇ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਦੇ ਕੰਮ ਕਾਇਮ ਕਰ ।
1 ਜਿਹੜਾ ਅੱਤ ਮਹਾਨ ਦੀ ਓਟ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੱਸਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਸ਼ਰਬ ਸ਼ਕਤੀਮਾਨ ਦੇ ਸਾਯੇ ਹੇਠ ਟਿਕੇਗਾ । 2 ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਵਿਖੇ ਆਖਾਂਗਾ, ਕਿ ਉਹ ਮੇਰੀ ਪਨਾਹ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਗੜ੍ਹ ਹੈ, ਮੇਰਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਜਿਹ ਦੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 3 ਉਹ ਤਾਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਫਾਂਧੀ ਦੀ ਫਾਹੀ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਅਤੇ ਘਾਤਕ ਮਰੀ ਤੋਂ ਛੁਟਕਾਰਾ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ । 4 ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਖੰਭਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਢੱਕ ਲਵੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਪਰਾਂ ਹੇਠ ਤੂੰ ਪਨਾਹ ਲਵੇਂਗਾ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਸਚਿਆਈ ਇੱਕ ਢਾਲ ਅਤੇ ਫਰੀ ਹੈ । 5 ਤੂੰ ਰਾਤ ਦੇ ਭੈਜਲ ਤੋਂ ਨਾ ਡਰੇਂਗਾ, ਨਾ ਦਿਨ ਦੇ ਉੱਡਦੇ ਬਾਣ ਤੋਂ, 6 ਨਾ ਉਸ ਮਰੀ ਤੋਂ ਜਿਹੜੀ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਚੱਲਦੀ ਹੈ, ਨਾ ਉਸ ਤਬਾਹੀ ਤੋਂ ਜਿਹੜੀ ਦੁਪਹਿਰ ਨੂੰ ਉਜਾੜ ਦੀ ਹੈ । 7 ਤੇਰੇ ਮੁੱਢ ਹਜ਼ਾਰ ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਸੱਜੇ ਹੱਥ ਦਸ ਹਜ਼ਾਰ ਡਿੱਗਣਗੇ, ਪਰ ਉਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਨੇੜੇ ਨਾ ਆਵੇਗੀ । 8 ਕੇਵਲ ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਨਿਗਾਹ ਕਰੇਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਦਾ ਬਦਲਾ ਵੇਖੇਂਗਾ । 9 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੂੰ ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰੀ ਪਨਾਹਗਾਰ ਹੈਂ, — ਤੂੰ ਅੱਤ ਮਹਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਵੱਸੋਂ ਕਰ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ । 10 ਤੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਕੋਈ ਬੁਰਿਆਈ ਨਹੀਂ ਪਵੇਗੀ, ਨਾ ਕੋਈ ਬਵਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਡੇਰੇ ਕੋਲ ਪਹੁੰਚੇਗੀ । 11 ਉਹ ਤਾਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਦੂਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਹੁਕਮ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ, ਕਿ ਤੇਰਿਆਂ ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਰਾਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੇਰੀ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਕਰਨ । 12 ਓਹ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਚੁੱਕ ਲੈਣਗੇ, ਮਤੇ ਪੱਥਰ ਨਾਲ ਤੇਰੇ ਪੈਰ ਨੂੰ ਸੱਟ ਨਾ ਲੱਗੇ । 13 ਤੂੰ ਸ਼ੀਂਹ ਅਤੇ ਸੱਪ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਧੇਂਗਾ, ਤੂੰ ਜੁਆਨ ਸ਼ੀਂਹ ਅਤੇ ਨਾਗ ਨੂੰ ਲਤਾੜੇਂਗਾ । 14 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਲਾਈ ਹੈ, ਸੋ ਮੈਂ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾਵਾਂਗਾ, ਮੈਂ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਉੱਚਾ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਉਹ ਨੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਨਾਮ ਜੋ ਜਾਤਾ ਹੈ । 15 ਉਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰੇਗਾ ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦਿਆਂਗਾ, ਦੁੱਖ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੈਂ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਅੰਗ-ਸੰਗ ਹੋਵਾਂਗਾ, ਮੈਂ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾਵਾਂਗਾ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਆਦਰ ਦਿਆਂਗਾ, 16 ਆਰਜਾ ਦੇ ਵਾਧੇ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਂ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਨਿਸ਼ਾ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਮੁਕਤੀ ਵਿਖਾਵਾਂਗਾ ।
1 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਨਾ, ਅਤੇ, ਹੇ ਅੱਤ ਮਹਾਨ, ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਦਾ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਉਣਾ ਭਲਾ ਹੈ, 2 ਨਾਲੇ ਸਵੇਰ ਨੂੰ ਤੇਰੀ ਦਯਾ ਦਾ, ਅਤੇ ਰਾਤ ਨੂੰ ਤੇਰੀ ਵਫ਼ਾਦਾਰੀ ਦਾ ਪਰਚਾਰ ਕਰਨਾ, 3 ਦਸਾਂ ਤਰਾਂ ਵਾਲੇ ਵਾਜੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਅਤੇ ਸਿਤਾਰ ਉੱਤੇ, ਅਤੇ ਬਰਬਤ ਦੇ ਬਿਹਾਗ ਦੇ ਸੁਰ ਉੱਤੇ । 4 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੂੰ ਤਾਂ ਆਪਣੀ ਕਾਰੀਗਰੀ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਅਨੰਦ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ, ਤੇਰੇ ਹੱਥ ਦਿਆਂ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਕਾਰਨ ਮੈਂ ਜੈਕਾਰਾ ਗਜਾਵਾਂਗਾ । 5 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੇਰੇ ਕੰਮ ਕਿੰਨੇ ਵੱਡੇ ਹਨ ! ਤੇਰੇ ਖਿਆਲ ਬਹੁਤ ਹੀ ਡੂੰਘੇ ਹਨ ! 6 ਪਸੂ ਵੱਤ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਣਦਾ, ਨਾ ਮੂਰਖ ਇਸ ਗੱਲ ਨੂੰ ਸਮਝਦਾ, 7 ਕਿ ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਜਦੋਂ ਘਾਹ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਫੁੱਟਦੇ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਬਦਕਾਰ ਫੁੱਲਦੇ ਫਲਦੇ ਹਨ, ਏਹ ਇਸ ਕਰਕੇ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਓਹ ਸਦਾ ਲਈ ਨਾਸ ਹੋ ਜਾਣ । 8 ਪਰ ਤੂੰ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਜੁੱਗੋ-ਜੁੱਗ ਮਹਾਨ ਹੈਂ । 9 ਵੇਖ, ਤੇਰੇ ਵੈਰੀ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਹਾਂ, ਵੇਖ, ਤੇਰੇ ਵੈਰੀ ਨਸ਼ਟ ਹੋ ਜਾਣਗੇ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਕੁਕਰਮੀ ਖਿੰਡ ਪੁੰਡ ਜਾਣਗੇ ! 10 ਪਰ ਤੂੰ ਜੰਗਲੀ ਸਾਂਢ ਦੇ ਸਿੰਙ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਿੰਙ ਨੂੰ ਉੱਚਿਆਂ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਸੱਜਰੇ ਤੇਲ ਨਾਲ ਮਲਿਆ ਗਿਆ । 11 ਮੇਰੀ ਅੱਖ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਘਾਤੀਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਨਜ਼ਰ ਕੀਤੀ, ਮੇਰੇ ਕੰਨ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਭੈੜੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਹਾਲ ਸੁਣਿਆ ! 12 ਧਰਮੀ ਖਜ਼ੂਰ ਦੇ ਬਿਰਛ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਫਲਿਆ ਰਹੇਗਾ, ਲਬਾਨੋਨ ਦੇ ਦਿਆਰ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਵਧਦਾ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ । 13 ਜਿਹੜੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਭਵਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਲਾਏ ਹੋਏ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੀਆਂ ਦਰਗਾਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਲਹਿ ਲਹਾਉਣਗੇ । 14 ਓਹ ਬੁਢੇਪੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੀ ਫਲ ਲਿਆਉਣਗੇ, ਓਹ ਹਰੇ ਤੇ ਰਸ ਭਰੇ ਰਹਿਣਗੇ, 15 ਕਿ ਓਹ ਪਰਗਟ ਕਰਨ ਕਿ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸੱਚ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਮੇਰੀ ਚੱਟਾਨ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਕੋਈ ਅਧਰਮੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ ।
1 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਰਾਜ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਪਰਤਾਪ ਦਾ ਪਹਿਰਾਵਾ ਪਹਿਨਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੇ ਪਹਿਰਾਵਾ ਪਹਿਨਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਨੇ ਬਲ ਨਾਲ ਕਮਰ ਕੱਸੀ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਹੀ ਜਗਤ ਕਾਇਮ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਨਾ ਹਿੱਲੇ । 2 ਤੇਰੀ ਰਾਜ ਗੱਦੀ ਆਦ ਤੋਂ ਕਾਇਮ ਹੈ, ਅਨਾਦੀ ਕਾਲ ਤੋਂ ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਹੈਂ । 3 ਹੜ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਸ਼ੋਰ ਮਚਾਇਆ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਹੜ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਸ਼ੋਰ ਮਚਾਇਆ ਹੈ, ਹੜ੍ਹ ਗਰਜਦੇ ਹਨ ! 4 ਬਹੁਤਿਆਂ ਪਾਣੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਸ਼ੋਰ ਨਾਲੋਂ, ਹਾਂ ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਦੀਆਂ ਠਾਠਾਂ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਵੀ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉੱਚਾਈ ਵਿੱਚ ਪ੍ਰਤਾਪੀ ਹੈ । 5 ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਖੀਆਂ ਅੱਤ ਸੱਚੀਆਂ ਹਨ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਪਵਿੱਤਰਤਾਈ ਤੇਰੇ ਭਵਨ ਨੂੰ ਅਨੰਤ ਕਾਲ ਤੱਕ ਸ਼ੋਭਾ ਦਿੰਦੀ ਹੈ ।
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਬਦਲਾ ਲੈਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਹੇ ਬਦਲਾ ਲੈਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਆਪਣਾ ਤੇਜ਼ ਵਿਖਾ ! 2 ਹੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਨਿਆਈਂ, ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ ਉਠਾ, ਹੰਕਾਰੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਜੋਗ ਬਦਲਾ ਦੇ ! 3 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਜਦੋਂ ਤੋੜੀ ਦੁਸ਼ਟ, ਕਦੋਂ ਤੋੜੀ ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਬਗਲਾਂ ਵਜਾਉਣਗੇ ? 4 ਓਹ ਡਕਾਰਦੇ, ਓਹ ਨੱਕ ਚੜ੍ਹਾ ਕੇ ਬੋਲਦੇ ਹਨ, ਸਾਰੇ ਬਦਕਾਰ ਵੱਡੇ ਬੋਲ ਬੋਲਦੇ ਹਨ ! 5 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਓਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਨੂੰ ਚੂਰ-ਚੂਰ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਮਿਰਾਸ ਨੂੰ ਦੁੱਖ ਦਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ । 6 ਓਹ ਵਿਧਵਾ ਅਤੇ ਪਰਦੇਸੀ ਨੂੰ ਵੱਢ ਸੁੱਟਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਯਤੀਮਾਂ ਦਾ ਘਾਤ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ, 7 ਅਤੇ ਓਹ ਆਖਦੇ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨਾ ਵੇਖੂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਯਾਕੂਬ ਦਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਕੁੱਝ ਪਰਵਾ ਨਾ ਕਰੂੰਗਾ ! 8 ਹੇ ਪਸੂ ਵੱਤ ਲੋਕੋ, ਸਮਝੋ ! ਹੇ ਮੂਰਖੋ, ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਦੋਂ ਬੁੱਧਵਾਨ ਬਣੋਗੇ ? 9 ਜਿਸ ਨੇ ਕੰਨ ਲਾਇਆ, ਭਲਾ, ਉਹ ਨਹੀਂ ਸੁਣੇਗਾ ? ਜਿਸ ਨੇ ਅੱਖ ਰਚੀ, ਭਲਾ, ਉਹ ਨਹੀਂ ਵੇਖੇਗਾ ? 10 ਜਿਹੜਾ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤਾੜਦਾ ਹੈ, ਜਿਹੜਾ ਆਦਮੀ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਦਿਆ ਸਿਖਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਭਲਾ, ਉਹ ਨਾ ਝਿੜਕੇਗਾ ? 11 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਆਦਮੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਸੋਚਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਹੈ, ਕਿ ਓਹ ਅਵਿਰਥੀਆਂ ਹਨ । 12 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਧੰਨ ਹੈ ਉਹ ਪੁਰਖ ਜਿਹ ਨੂੰ ਤੂੰ ਤਾੜਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਤੋਂ ਸਿੱਖਿਆ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈਂ ! 13 ਤਾਂ ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਬੁਰਿਆਂ ਦਿਨਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਚੈਨ ਦੇਵੇਂ, ਜਦ ਤੱਕ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਟੋਆ ਨਾ ਪੁੱਟਿਆ ਜਾਵੇ । 14 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਤਾਂ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਨੂੰ ਨਾ ਛੱਡੇਗਾ, ਨਾ ਆਪਣੀ ਮਿਰਾਸ ਨੂੰ ਤਿਆਗੇਗਾ । 15 ਜਾਂ ਨਿਆਂ ਧਰਮ ਵੱਲ ਮੁੜ ਆਵੇਗਾ, ਤਾਂ ਸਾਰੇ ਸੁੱਧ ਮਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਮਗਰ ਲੱਗਣਗੇ । 16 ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਬੁਰਿਆਰਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਕੌਣ ਉੱਠੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਬਦਕਾਰਾਂ ਦਾ ਸਾਹਮਣਾ ਕੌਣ ਕਰੇਗਾ ? 17 ਜੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਹਾਇਕ ਨਾ ਹੁੰਦਾ, ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਝੱਟ ਖਾਮੋਸ਼ੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਾ ਵੱਸਦੀ । 18 ਜਦ ਮੈਂ ਆਖਿਆ, ਮੇਰਾ ਪੈਰ ਡੋਲਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੇਰੀ ਦਯਾ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਮ੍ਹਾਲਦੀ ਸੀ । 19 ਜਾਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਬਹੁਤ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਤਸੱਲੀਆਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਜੀਅ ਨੂੰ ਖੁਸ਼ ਕਰਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ । 20 ਕੀ ਬਰਬਾਦੀ ਦੀ ਰਾਜ ਗੱਦੀ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਸਾਂਝ ਰੱਖੇਗੀ, ਜੋ ਬਿਧੀ ਦੀ ਓਟ ਵਿੱਚ ਸ਼ਰਾਰਤ ਘੜਦੀ ਹੈ ? 21 ਓਹ ਧਰਮੀ ਦੀ ਜਾਨ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਚੜ੍ਹ ਆਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਨਿਰਦੋਸ਼ੀ ਲਹੂ ਨੂੰ ਦੋਸ਼ੀ ਬਣਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ । 22 ਪਰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੇਰਾ ਉੱਚਾ ਗੜ੍ਹ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਮੇਰੀ ਪਨਾਹ ਦੀ ਚੱਟਾਨ, 23 ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਬਦੀ ਮੁੜ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਹੀ ਦੇ ਪੱਲੇ ਪਵੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਬੁਰਿਆਈ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੀ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਟਾ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ, ਹਾਂ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸਾਡਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਟਾ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ ! ।
1 ਆਓ, ਅਸੀਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਲਈ ਜੈਕਾਰਾ ਗਜਾਈਏ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਮੁਕਤੀ ਦੀ ਚੱਟਾਨ ਲਈ ਨਾਰਾ ਮਾਰੀਏ ! 2 ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਹਜ਼ੂਰ ਵਿੱਚ, ਉਹ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਭਜਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਨਾਰੇ ਮਾਰਦਿਆਂ ਚੱਲੀਏ ! 3 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਤਾਂ ਮਹਾਨ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਦੇਵਤਿਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਵੱਡਾ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਹੈ, 4 ਜਿਹ ਦੇ ਹੱਥ ਵਿੱਚ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਥੱਲੇ ਹਨ, ਪਹਾੜਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਟੀਸੀਆਂ ਵੀ ਉਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ, 5 ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਬਣਾਇਆ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਨੇ ਖੁਸ਼ਕੀ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਸਾਜਿਆ । 6 ਆਓ, ਅਸੀਂ ਮੱਥਾ ਟੇਕੀਏ ਅਤੇ ਨਿਉਂ ਕੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਿਰਜਣਹਾਰ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਗੋਡੇ ਨਿਵਾਈਏ ! 7 ਉਹ ਤਾਂ ਸਾਡਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੈ, ਅਸੀਂ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਜੂਹ ਦੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਹੱਥ ਦੀਆਂ ਭੇਡਾਂ ਹਾਂ । ਕਾਸ਼ ਕਿ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਅੱਜ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਸੁਣਦੇ ! 8 ਤੁਸੀਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਦਿਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕਠੋਰ ਨਾ ਕਰੋ, ਜਿਵੇਂ ਮਰੀਬਾਹ ਤੇ ਮੱਸਾਹ ਦੇ ਵੇਲੇ ਉਜਾੜ ਵਿੱਚ ਕੀਤਾ, 9 ਜਦ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਪਿਉ-ਦਾਦਿਆਂ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਪਰਤਾਇਆ, ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਚ ਕੀਤੀ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਕੰਮ ਵੇਖਿਆ । 10 ਚਾਲ੍ਹੀ ਵਰ੍ਹਿਆਂ ਤੱਕ ਮੈਂ ਉਸ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਤੋਂ ਘਿਣ ਕਰਦਾ ਰਿਹਾ, ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਆਖਿਆ ਕਿ ਏਹ ਤਾਂ ਫਿਰਤੂ ਮਨ ਦੇ ਲੋਕ ਹਨ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੇਰਿਆਂ ਰਾਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਣਿਆ, 11 ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਲਈ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਹੁੰ ਖਾਧੀ, ਕਿ ਏਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਆਰਾਮ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਾ ਵੜਨਗੇ ।
1 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਲਈ ਇੱਕ ਨਵਾਂ ਗੀਤ ਲਈ ਗਾਓ, ਹੇ ਸਾਰੀ ਸਰਿਸ਼ਟੀ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਲਈ ਗਾਓ ! 2 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਲਈ ਗਾਓ, ਉਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਨੂੰ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਆਖੋ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਮੁਕਤੀ ਦਾ ਦਿਨੋ ਦਿਨ ਪਰਚਾਰ ਕਰੋ ! 3 ਕੌਮਾਂ ਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਪਰਤਾਪ ਦਾ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਅਚਰਜ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਦਾ ਵਰਣਨ ਕਰੋ । 4 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਤਾਂ ਮਹਾਨ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਅੱਤ ਉਸਤਤ ਜੋਗ ਵੀ, ਸਾਰੇ ਦੇਵਤਿਆਂ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਉਹ ਭੈ ਦਾਇਕ ਹੈ । 5 ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਦੇਵਤੇ ਤਾਂ ਬੁੱਤ ਹੀ ਹਨ, ਪਰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੇ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਬਣਾਏ । 6 ਉਪਮਾ ਅਤੇ ਮਾਣ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਹਜ਼ੂਰ ਹਨ, ਸਮਰੱਥਾ ਅਤੇ ਸੁਹੱਪਣ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਭਵਨ ਵਿੱਚ । 7 ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦੀਓ ਕੁੱਲੋ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਮੰਨੋ, ਹਾਂ, ਪਰਤਾਪ ਅਤੇ ਸਮਰੱਥਾ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਮੰਨੋ, 8 ਪਰਤਾਪ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਦਾ ਮੰਨੋ, ਨਜ਼ਰਾਨਾ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਦਰਬਾਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਓ ! 9 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਬਸਤਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੱਥਾ ਤੇਜੋ । ਹੇ ਸਾਰੀ ਸਰਿਸ਼ਟੀ, ਉਹ ਦੇ ਸਨਮੁੱਖ ਥਰ-ਥਰ ਕਰੋ ! 10 ਕੌਮਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਖੋ ਕਿ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਰਾਜ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਈ ਜਗਤ ਕਾਇਮ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਨਾ ਹਿੱਲੇ, ਉਹ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦਾ ਇਨਸਾਫ਼ ਨਾਲ ਨਿਆਂ ਕਰੇਗਾ । 11 ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਵੇ ਅਤੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਮਨਾਵੇ, ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਭਰਪੂਰੀ ਗਰਜੇ, 12 ਮਦਾਨ ਅਤੇ ਜੋ ਕੁੱਝ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ ਬਾਗ ਬਾਗ ਹੋਵੇ ! ਫੇਰ ਜੰਗਲ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਬਿਰਛ ਜੈਕਾਰਾ ਗਜਾਉਣਗੇ, 13 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਹਜ਼ੂਰ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਹ ਆ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਧਰਤੀ ਦਾ ਨਿਆਂ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਆ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਜਗਤ ਦਾ ਧਰਮ ਨਾਲ, ਅਤੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦਾ ਆਪਣੀ ਸਚਿਆਈ ਨਾਲ ਨਿਆਂ ਕਰੇਗਾ ।
1 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਰਾਜ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਧਰਤੀ ਖੁਸ਼ ਹੋਵੇ, ਟਾਪੂ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੇ ਹਨ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਣ ! 2 ਬੱਦਲ ਅਤੇ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰਾ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਆਲੇ-ਦੁਆਲੇ ਹਨ, ਧਰਮ ਅਤੇ ਨਿਆਂ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਰਾਜ ਗੱਦੀ ਦੀ ਨੀਂਹ ਹਨ । 3 ਅੱਗ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਚੱਲਦੀ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਚੁਫ਼ੇਰਿਓਂ ਭਸਮ ਕਰ ਦਿੰਦੀ ਹੈ । 4 ਇਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਬਿਜਲੀਆਂ ਜਗਤ ਨੂੰ ਲਿਸ਼ਕਾਉਂਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ, ਧਰਤੀ ਵੇਖ ਕੇ ਕੰਬ ਉੱਠਦੀ ਹੈ ! 5 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਹਜ਼ੂਰੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਹਾੜ ਮੋਮ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਪੰਘਰ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ ! ਹਾਂ, ਸਾਰੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੀ ਹਜ਼ੂਰੀ ਵਿੱਚ ! 6 ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਧਰਮ ਦਾ ਨਿਰਨਾ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਲੋਕ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਪਰਤਾਪ ਵੇਖਦੇ ਹਨ । 7 ਉੱਕਰੀਆਂ ਹੋਈਆਂ ਮੂਰਤਾਂ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਪੁਜਾਰੀ, ਜਿਹੜੇ ਬੁੱਤਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਫੁੱਲਦੇ ਹਨ ਸ਼ਰਮਿੰਦੇ ਹੋਣ, ਸਾਰੇ ਦਿਉਤੇ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਮੱਥਾ ਟੇਕਣ ! 8 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੇਰਿਆਂ ਨਿਆਵਾਂ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ, ਸੀਯੋਨ ਨੇ ਸੁਣਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਇਆ, ਅਤੇ ਯਹੂਦਾਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਧੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਮਨਾਈ । 9 ਸਾਰੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੂੰ ਤਾਂ ਅੱਤ ਮਹਾਨ ਹੈਂ, ਤੂੰ ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਦਿਓਤਿਆਂ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਮਹਾਨ ਹੈਂ ! 10 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰੇਮੀਓ, ਬੁਰਿਆਈ ਤੋਂ ਘਿਣ ਕਰੋ ! ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਸੰਤਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਜਾਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਦੇ ਹੱਥੋਂ ਛੁਡਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ । 11 ਧਰਮੀਆਂ ਲਈ ਚਾਨਣ ਬੀਜਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਸਿੱਧੇ ਮਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਲਈ ਅਨੰਦ । 12 ਹੇ ਧਰਮੀਓ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਵੋ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਯਾਦਗਾਰ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰੋ ! ।
1 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਲਈ ਇੱਕ ਨਵਾਂ ਗੀਤ ਗਾਓ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਅਚਰਜ ਕੰਮ ਕੀਤੇ ਹਨ, ਉਹ ਦੇ ਸੱਜੇ ਹੱਥ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਬਾਂਹ ਨੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਫਤਿਹ ਪਾਈ ਹੈ । 2 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਫਤਿਹ ਪਰਗਟ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਨੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਧਰਮ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਅੱਖੀਂ ਵਿਖਾਇਆ ਹੈ । 3 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਦਯਾ ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਵਫ਼ਾਦਾਰੀ ਨੂੰ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਦੇ ਘਰਾਣੇ ਲਈ ਚੇਤੇ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ, ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਕੰਢਿਆਂ ਨੇ ਸਾਡੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੀ ਫਤਿਹ ਨੂੰ ਡਿੱਠਾ ਹੈ । 4 ਹੇ ਸਾਰੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਦਿਓ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਲਈ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਦਾ ਲਲਕਾਰਾ ਮਾਰੋ, ਰਾਗ ਛੇੜੋ, ਜੈ ਜੈ ਕਾਰ ਕਰੋ, ਭਜਨ ਗਾਓ, 5 ਬਰਬਤ ਵਜਾ ਕੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਲਈ ਭਜਨ ਗਾਓ, ਰਸੀਲੇ ਸੁਰ ਨਾਲ ਬਰਬਤ ਵਜਾ ਕੇ 6 ਤੁਰ੍ਹੀਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਨਰਸਿੰਗੇ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਨਾਲ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਲਲਕਾਰੋ । 7 ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਭਰਪੂਰੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਦੇਵੇ, ਜਗਤ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਵਾਸੀ ਵੀ । 8 ਨਦੀਆਂ ਤਾਲ ਦੇਣ, ਪਹਾੜ ਰਲ ਕੇ ਜੈ ਜੈ ਕਾਰ ਕਰਨ, 9 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਹਜ਼ੂਰ ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਹ ਧਰਤੀ ਦਾ ਨਿਆਂ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਆ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਜਗਤ ਦਾ ਧਰਮ ਨਾਲ ਅਤੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦਾ ਇਨਸਾਫ਼ ਨਾਲ ਨਿਆਂ ਕਰੇਗਾ ।
1 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਰਾਜ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਲੋਕ ਕੰਬਣ, ਉਹ ਕਰੂਬੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਬਿਰਾਜਮਾਨ ਹੈ, ਧਰਤੀ ਡੋਲ ਉੱਠੇ ! 2 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸੀਯੋਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਹਾਨ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਬਜ਼ੁਰਗ ਹੈ । 3 ਓਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਵੱਡੇ ਅਤੇ ਭਿਆਣਕ ਨਾਮ ਨੂੰ ਸਲਾਹੁਣ, ਉਹ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਹੈ । 4 ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਦੀ ਸਮਰੱਥਾ ਨਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਰੱਖਦੀ ਹੈ, ਤੂੰ ਸਿਧਿਆਈ ਨੂੰ ਕਾਇਮ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਯਾਕੂਬ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਿਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਧਰਮ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈਂ । 5 ਤੁਸੀਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸਾਡੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੀ ਬਜ਼ੁਰਗੀ ਕਰੋ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦਿਆਂ ਚਰਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਚੌਂਕੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਮੱਥਾ ਟੇਕੋ, ਉਹ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਹੈ । 6 ਮੂਸਾ ਅਤੇ ਹਾਰੂਨ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਜਾਜਕਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਸਨ, ਅਤੇ ਸਮੂਏਲ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਲੈਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ, ਓਹ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰਦੇ ਸਨ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ । 7 ਉਹ ਬੱਦਲ ਦੇ ਥੰਮ੍ਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਦੀ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਕਰਦਾ ਸੀ, ਉਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਸਾਖੀਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ, ਜੋ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦਿੱਤੀਆਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੰਨਿਆ । 8 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸਾਡੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਤੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਤੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਖਿਮਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ ਸੀ, ਤੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਦਾ ਬਦਲਾ ਲੈਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਸੀ । 9 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸਾਡੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੀ ਬਜ਼ੁਰਗੀ ਕਰੋ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਪਹਾੜ ਉੱਤੇ ਮੱਥਾ ਟੇਕੋ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸਾਡਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਹੈ ।
1 ਹੇ ਸਾਰੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਵਾਸੀਓ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਲਈ ਲਲਕਾਰੋ, 2 ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਉਪਾਸਨਾ ਕਰੋ, ਜੈ-ਜੈ ਕਾਰ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਹਜ਼ੂਰੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਓ । 3 ਜਾਣ ਰੱਖੋ ਕਿ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਹੀ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਨੇ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਸਾਜਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਅਸੀਂ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਜੂਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਭੇਡਾਂ ਹਾਂ । 4 ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਫਾਟਕਾਂ ਦੇ ਅੰਦਰ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਦਰਬਾਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਓ, ਉਹ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰੋ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਨੂੰ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਆਖੋ । 5 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਤਾਂ ਭਲਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦੀਪਕ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਵਫ਼ਾਦਾਰੀ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀਓਂ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਤੱਕ ਹੈ ।
1 ਮੈਂ ਦਯਾ ਅਤੇ ਨਿਆਂ ਗਾਵਾਂਗਾ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਭਜਨ ਗਾਵਾਂਗਾ । 2 ਮੈਂ ਪੂਰੇ ਰਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਿਆਣਾ ਬਣ ਕੇ ਚੱਲਾਂਗਾ, ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਕੋਲ ਕਦੋਂ ਆਵੇਂਗਾ ? ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਘਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਪੂਰੇ ਮਨ ਨਾਲ ਫਿਰਾਂਗਾ । 3 ਮੈਂ ਵਿਰਥੀ ਗੱਲ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਦੇ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਨਾ ਰੱਖਾਂਗਾ, ਫਿਰਤੂਆਂ ਦੀ ਕਰਤੂਤ ਤੋਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਘਿਣ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਨਾ ਚੰਬੜੇਗੀ 4 ਮਨ ਦਾ ਕੁੱਬਾਪੁਣਾ ਮੈਥੋਂ ਦੂਰ ਰਹੇਗਾ, ਮੈਂ ਬੁਰਿਆਈ ਨੂੰ ਨਾ ਜਾਣਾਂਗਾ । 5 ਜਿਹੜਾ ਓਹਲੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਪਣੇ ਗੁਆਂਢੀ ਦੀ ਚੁਗਲੀ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਟਾ ਦਿਆਂਗਾ, ਉੱਚੀ ਅੱਖ ਤੇ ਮਨ ਦੀ ਆਕੜ ਨੂੰ ਮੈਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਝੱਲਾਂਗਾ । 6 ਮੇਰੀ ਨਿਗਾਹ ਦੇਸ ਦੇ ਸਚਿਆਰਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਰਹੇਗੀ ਕਿ ਓਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਵੱਸਣ, ਜਿਹੜਾ ਪੂਰੇ ਰਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਚੱਲਦਾ ਹੈ ਉਹ ਮੇਰੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰੇਗਾ । 7 ਛਲੀਆ ਮੇਰੇ ਘਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਾ ਵੱਸੇਗਾ, ਝੂਠਾ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਕਾਇਮ ਨਾ ਰਹੇਗਾ । 8 ਹਰ ਸਵੇਰ ਨੂੰ ਮੈਂ ਦੇਸ ਦਿਆਂ ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਟਾਇਆ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਹਿਰ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਸਾਰੇ ਕੁਕਰਮੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਨਾਸ ਕਰ ਦੇਵਾਂ ।
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੇਰੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾ ਸੁਣ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਦੁਹਾਈ ਤੇਰੇ ਤੱਕ ਪਹੁੰਚੇ ! 2 ਮੇਰੇ ਔਖ ਦੇ ਦਿਨ ਮੈਥੋਂ ਆਪਣਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਨਾ ਲੁਕਾ, ਆਪਣਾ ਕੰਨ ਮੇਰੀ ਵੱਲ ਝੁਕਾ, ਜਿਸ ਦਿਨ ਮੈਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰਾਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਛੇਤੀ ਉੱਤਰ ਦੇ ! 3 ਮੇਰੇ ਦਿਨ ਤਾਂ ਧੂੰਏਂ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਮੁੱਕ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਹੱਡੀਆਂ ਬਾਲਣ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਬਲਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ । 4 ਘਾਹ ਦੀ ਨਿਆਈਂ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨ ਮਾਰਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਤੇ ਸੁੱਕ ਗਿਆ, ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੀ ਰੋਟੀ ਖਾਣੀ ਵੀ ਭੁੱਲ ਗਿਆ । 5 ਮੇਰੇ ਕਰਾਹਣੇ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਹੱਡੀਆਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਾਸ ਨਾਲ ਜੁੜ ਗਈਆਂ ਹਨ । 6 ਮੈਂ ਉਜਾੜ ਦੇ ਲੰਮਢੀਂਗ ਦੇ ਤੁੱਲ ਹੋਇਆ, ਅਤੇ ਵਿਰਾਨੇ ਦਾ ਉੱਲੂ ਬਣਿਆ ! 7 ਮੈਂ ਜਾਗਦਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਚਿੜੀ ਵਰਗਾ ਬਣਿਆ, ਜਿਹੜੀ ਛੱਤ ਉੱਤੇ ਵੱਖਰੀ ਰਹਿੰਦੀ ਹੈ । 8 ਮੇਰੇ ਵੈਰੀ ਸਾਰੇ ਦਿਨ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉਲਾਂਭੇ ਦਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਜਾਨੀ ਦੁਸ਼ਮਨ ਮੇਰਾ ਨਾਉਂ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਫਿਟਕਾਰਾਂ ਪਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ । 9 ਮੈਂ ਤਾਂ ਰੋਟੀ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਸੁਆਹ ਫੱਕਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਪੀਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਅੰਝੂ ਮਿਲਾਉਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 10 ਇਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਗੁੱਸੇ ਤੇ ਕਹਿਰ ਕਾਰਨ ਹੋਇਆ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਚੁੱਕ ਕੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਫੇਰ ਪਟਕਾ ਸੁੱਟ ਦਿੱਤਾ ! 11 ਮੇਰੇ ਦਿਨ ਢਲਦੇ ਸਾਯੇ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਹਨ, ਮੈਂ ਘਾਹ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਮੁੱਕ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 12 ਪਰ ਤੂੰ ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਬਿਰਾਜਮਾਨ ਰਹੇਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰਾ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀਓ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਤੱਕ ! 13 ਤੂੰ ਉੱਠੇਂਗਾ ਅਤੇ ਸੀਯੋਨ ਉੱਤੇ ਰਹਮ ਕਰੇਂਗਾ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤਰਸ ਖਾਣ ਦਾ ਸਮਾਂ, ਸਗੋਂ ਥਾਪਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਵੇਲਾ ਆ ਪੁੱਜਿਆ ਹੈ । 14 ਤੇਰੇ ਦਾਸ ਤਾਂ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਪੱਥਰਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਰਸੰਨ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਥੇਹ ਉੱਤੇ ਤਰਸ ਖਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ । 15 ਇਉਂ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਤੋਂ ਭੈ ਖਾਣਗੀਆਂ, ਅਤੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਰਾਜੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਪਰਤਾਪ ਤੋਂ । 16 ਜਦ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੇ ਸੀਯੋਨ ਨੂੰ ਬਣਾਇਆ, ਤਾਂ ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਰਤਾਪ ਵਿੱਚ ਪ੍ਰਗਟ ਹੋਇਆ । 17 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਲਾਚਾਰ ਦੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾ ਵੱਲ ਮੂੰਹ ਕੀਤਾ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾ ਨੂੰ ਤੁੱਛ ਨਾ ਜਾਤਾ । 18 ਇਹ ਗੱਲ ਆਉਣ ਵਾਲੀ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਲਈ ਲਿਖੀ ਜਾਵੇਗੀ, ਅਤੇ ਜਿਹੜੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਉਤਪੰਨ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ ਉਹ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੇਗੀ । 19 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਤਾਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਸਥਾਨ ਦੀ ਉਚਿਆਈ ਤੋਂ ਨਿਗਾਹ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੈ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੇ ਸਵਰਗ ਤੋਂ ਧਰਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਡਿੱਠਾ ਹੈ, 20 ਕਿ ਗ਼ੁਲਾਮ ਦਾ ਹਾਹੁਕਾ ਸੁਣੇ, ਅਤੇ ਮਰਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾਵੇ, 21 ਤਾਂ ਲੋਕ ਸੀਯੋਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਦਾ, ਅਤੇ ਯਰੂਸ਼ਲਮ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਦਾ ਪਰਚਾਰ ਕਰਨ, 22 ਜਦ ਲੋਕ ਅਤੇ ਰਜਵਾੜੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਉਪਾਸਨਾ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਇਕੱਠੇ ਹੋਣ । 23 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਰਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੇਰੇ ਬਲ ਨੂੰ ਕਮਜ਼ੋਰ ਕੀਤਾ, ਉਸ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਆਯੂ ਨੂੰ ਘਟਾਇਆ । 24 ਮੈਂ ਆਖਿਆ, ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੇਰੀ ਅੱਧੀ ਆਯੂ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉਠਾ ਨਾ ਲੈ, ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀਓ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਤੇਰੇ ਵਰ੍ਹੇ ਹਨ ! 25 ਮੁੱਢੋਂ ਹੀ ਤੂੰ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੀ ਨੀਂਹ ਧਰੀ, ਅਤੇ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਤੇਰੇ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਦਾ ਕਾਰਜ ਹੈ । 26 ਓਹ ਨਾਸ ਹੋ ਜਾਣਗੇ, ਪਰ ਤੂੰ ਅਟੱਲ ਰਹੇਂਗਾ, ਓਹ ਸਾਰੇ ਕੱਪੜੇ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਪੁਰਾਣੇ ਹੋ ਜਾਣਗੇ, ਤੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਲਿਬਾਸ ਦੀ ਨਿਆਈਂ ਬਦਲ ਦੇਵੇਂਗਾ, ਸੋ ਓਹ ਬਦਲ ਹੀ ਜਾਣਗੇ ! 27 ਪਰ ਤੂੰ ਓਹੀ ਹੈਂ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਵਰ੍ਹੇ ਮੁਕਣਗੇ ਨਹੀਂ । 28 ਤੇਰੇ ਦਾਸਾਂ ਦੀ ਅੰਸ ਵੱਸੀ ਰਹੇਗੀ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਨਸਲ ਤੇਰੇ ਸਨਮੁੱਖ ਕਾਇਮ ਰਹੇਗੀ ।
1 ਹੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਆਖ, ਅਤੇ ਜੋ ਕੁੱਝ ਮੇਰੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਦੇ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਨਾਮ ਨੂੰ ! 2 ਹੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਆਖ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਉਪਕਾਰ ਨਾ ਵਿਸਾਰ ! 3 ਉਹ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਬੁਰਿਆਈਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਖਿਮਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਸਾਰੇ ਰੋਗਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਨਰੋਆ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ । 4 ਉਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਜਿੰਦ ਨੂੰ ਟੋਏ ਤੋਂ ਛੁਟਕਾਰਾ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਸਿਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਦਯਾ ਤੇ ਰਹਮ ਦਾ ਮੁਕਟ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹੈ । 5 ਉਹ ਭਲਿਆਈ ਨਾਲ ਤੇਰੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਨੂੰ ਰਜਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤੂੰ ਉਕਾਬ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਜਵਾਨੀ ਨਵਾਂ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈਂ । 6 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਧਰਮ ਦੇ ਕੰਮ ਅਤੇ ਨਿਆਂ, ਸਭ ਦਬਾਏ ਹੋਇਆਂ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ । 7 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਰਾਹ ਮੂਸਾ ਉੱਤੇ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਕੰਮ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਉੱਤੇ ਪਰਗਟ ਕਿਤੇ । 8 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਯਾਲੂ ਤੇ ਕਿਰਪਾਲੂ ਹੈ, ਗੁੱਸੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਧੀਰਜੀ ਅਤੇ ਦਯਾ ਨਾਲ ਭਰਪੂਰ । 9 ਉਹ ਸਦਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਝਿੜਕੇਗਾ, ਨਾ ਸਦਾ ਲਈ ਆਪਣਾ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਰੱਖੇਗਾ । 10 ਉਹ ਸਾਡੇ ਪਾਪਾਂ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਸਾਡੇ ਨਾਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਵਰਤਿਆ, ਨਾ ਸਾਡੀਆਂ ਬਦੀਆਂ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਬਦਲਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ । 11 ਜਿੰਨਾ ਉੱਚਾ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੋਂ ਹੈ, ਇੰਨੀ ਵੱਡੀ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਡਰਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਹੈ ! 12 ਜਿੰਨਾ ਚੜਦਾ ਲਹਿੰਦੇ ਤੋਂ ਦੂਰ ਹੈ, ਉੱਨੇ ਹੀ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਸਾਡੇ ਅਪਰਾਧ ਸਾਥੋਂ ਦੂਰ ਕੀਤੇ ਹਨ ! 13 ਜਿਵੇਂ ਪਿਤਾ ਆਪਣੇ ਬੱਚਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਤਰਸ ਖਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤਿਵੇਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਡਰਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਤਰਸ ਖਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ । 14 ਉਹ ਤਾਂ ਸਾਡੀ ਸਰਿਸ਼ਟ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਚੇਤਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਅਸੀਂ ਮਿੱਟੀ ਹੀ ਹਾਂ । 15 ਇਨਸਾਨ ਦੀ ਆਯੂ ਘਾਹ ਜਿੰਨੀ ਹੈ, ਮਦਾਨ ਦੇ ਫੁੱਲ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਉਹ ਟਹਿਕਦਾ ਹੈ, 16 ਜਦ ਵਾਉ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਵਗਦੀ ਹੈ ਤਦ ਉਹ ਹੈ ਹੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਥਾਂ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਫੇਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਵੇਖੇਗਾ । 17 ਪਰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਆਦ ਤੋਂ ਅੰਤ ਤੱਕ ਆਪਣੇ ਡਰਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਧਰਮ ਪੁੱਤਰਾਂ ਪੋਤ੍ਰਿਆਂ ਤੱਕ, 18 ਅਰਥਾਤ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਲਈ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਨੇਮ ਨੂੰ ਮੰਨਦੇ, ਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਫਰਮਾਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਚੇਤੇ ਰੱਖਦੇ ਤੇ ਪੂਰੇ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ । 19 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਰਾਜ ਗੱਦੀ ਸਵਰਗ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਾਇਮ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹੀ ਦਾ ਹੁਕਮ ਸਭਨਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਹੈ । 20 ਹੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਦੂਤੋ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਆਖੋ, ਤੁਸੀਂ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਸ਼ਕਤੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਲਵਾਨ ਹੋ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਸੁਣ ਕੇ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਪੂਰਿਆਂ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੋ ! 21 ਹੇ ਉਹ ਦੀਓ ਸਾਰੀਓ ਸੈਨਾਵੋ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਆਖੋ, ਤੁਸੀਂ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਸੇਵਕ ਹੋ ਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਮਰਜ਼ੀ ਨੂੰ ਪੂਰਿਆਂ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੋ ! 22 ਹੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਜੋ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹੀ ਦੇ ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਥਾਵਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਆਖੋ ! ਹੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਆਖ ! ।
1 ਹੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਆਖ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਤੂੰ ਅੱਤ ਮਹਾਨ ਹੈਂ, ਤੂੰ ਤੇਜ ਅਤੇ ਉਪਮਾ ਦੀ ਪੁਸ਼ਾਕ ਪਹਿਨੀ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ ! 2 ਤੂੰ ਚਾਨਣ ਨੂੰ ਪੁਸ਼ਾਕ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਹੈਂ, ਤੂੰ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਨੂੰ ਪੜਦੇ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਤਾਣਦਾ ਹੈਂ, — 3 ਤੂੰ ਜੋ ਆਪਣੇ ਚੁਬਾਰਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਤੀਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪਾਣੀਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਬੀੜਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਜੋ ਘਟਾ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਰਥ ਬਣਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਅਤੇ ਹਵਾ ਦੇ ਪਰਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਸੈਲ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈਂ, 4 ਤੂੰ ਹਵਾਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਹਲਕਾਰੇ, ਅਤੇ ਅੱਗ ਦੀਆਂ ਲਾਟਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਸੇਵਕ ਬਣਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈਂ । 5 ਤੂੰ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੀ ਨੀਂਹ ਨੂੰ ਕਾਇਮ ਕੀਤਾ, ਕਿ ਉਹ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਅਟੱਲ ਰਹੇ । 6 ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਡੂੰਘਿਆਈ ਨਾਲ ਇਉਂ ਕੱਜਿਆ ਜਿਵੇਂ ਪੁਸ਼ਾਕ ਨਾਲ, ਪਾਣੀ ਪਹਾੜਾਂ ਦੇ ਉੱਪਰ ਖਲੋ ਗਏ । 7 ਓਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਦਬਕੇ ਨਾਲ ਨੱਠ ਗਏ, ਉਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਗੜ੍ਹਕ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਤੋਂ ਸ਼ਤਾਬੀ ਭੱਜੇ, 8 ਉਸ ਥਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਜਿਸ ਦੀ ਤੂੰ ਨੀਂਹ ਰੱਖੀ ਹੋਈ ਸੀ ― ਪਹਾੜ ਉਤਾਂਹ ਚੜ੍ਹੇ, ਦੂਣਾ ਹੇਠਾਂ ਉੱਤਰੀਆਂ ― 9 ਤੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਲਈ ਇੱਕ ਹੱਦ ਠਹਿਰਾ ਰੱਖੀ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਓਹ ਅੱਗੇ ਨਾ ਲੰਘਣ, ਅਤੇ ਨਾ ਹੀ ਮੁੜ ਕੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਢੱਕ ਲੈਣ । 10 ਤੂੰ ਚਸ਼ਮੇਂ ਵਾਦੀਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਵਗਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਓਹ ਪਹਾੜਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੀ ਚੱਲਦੇ ਹਨ । 11 ਰੜ ਦੇ ਜਾਨਵਰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਪੀਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਜੰਗਲੀ ਖੋਤੇ ਵੀ ਆਪਣੀ ਤੇਹ ਬੁਝਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ । 12 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਲਾਗੇ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਦੇ ਪੰਖੇਰੂ ਵਸੇਰਾ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਟਹਿਣੀਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਬੋਲਦੇ ਹਨ । 13 ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣਿਆਂ ਚੁਬਾਰਿਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਾੜਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਿੰਜਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਦੇ ਫਲ ਨਾਲ ਧਰਤੀ ਰੱਜਦੀ ਹੈ । 14 ਤੂੰ ਡੰਗਰਾਂ ਲਈ ਘਾਹ ਅਤੇ ਇਨਸਾਨ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਲਈ ਸਾਗ ਪੱਤ ਉਗਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਕਿ ਧਰਤੀ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਆਹਾਰ ਕੱਢੇਂ, 15 ਦਾਖ਼ਰਸ ਜਿਹੜੀ ਇਨਸਾਨ ਦੇ ਦਿਲ ਨੂੰ ਅਨੰਦ ਕਰਦੀ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਲ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਮੁਖੜੇ ਨੂੰ ਚਮਕਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਨਾਲੇ ਰੋਟੀ ਜਿਹੜੀ ਇਨਸਾਨ ਦੇ ਦਿਲ ਨੂੰ ਤਕੜਿਆਂ ਕਰਦੀ ਹੈ । 16 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਰੁੱਖ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ, ਲਬਾਨੋਨ ਦੇ ਦਿਆਰ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਲਾਏ, 17 ਜਿੱਥੇ ਚਿੜੀਆਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਹਲਣੇ ਬਣਾਉਂਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਲੰਮਢੀਂਗ ਦਾ ਘਰ ਚੀਲ ਦੇ ਰੁੱਖਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਹੈ । 18 ਉੱਚੇ ਪਹਾੜ ਬਣ ਬੱਕਰਿਆਂ ਲਈ ਹਨ, ਢਿਗਾਂ ਪਹਾੜੀ ਸਹਿਆਂ ਲਈ ਓਟ ਹਨ । 19 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਚੰਦ ਨੂੰ ਥਿਤਾਂ ਲਈ ਬਣਾਇਆ, ਸੂਰਜ ਆਪਣੇ ਡੁੱਬਣ ਦਾ ਵੇਲਾ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਹੈ । 20 ਤੂੰ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈਂ ਅਤੇ ਰਾਤ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਤਦ ਸਾਰੇ ਬਣਚਰ ਦੱਬੀਂ ਪੈਰੀਂ ਨਿੱਕਲਦੇ ਹਨ । 21 ਜੁਆਨ ਬੱਬਰ ਸ਼ੇਰ ਸ਼ਿਕਾਰ ਲਈ ਗੱਜਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਕੋਲੋਂ ਆਪਣਾ ਅਹਾਰ ਮੰਗਦੇ ਹਨ, 22 ਸੂਰਜ ਚੜਦੇ ਹੀ ਓਹ ਖਿਸਕ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣਿਆਂ ਘੁਰਨਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਾ ਬਹਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ । 23 ਇਨਸਾਨ ਆਪਣੇ ਕੰਮ ਧੰਧੇ ਨੂੰ ਨਿੱਕਲਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਮਿਹਨਤ ਮਜ਼ਦੂਰੀ ਸ਼ਾਮਾਂ ਤੋੜੀ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ । 24 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੇਰੇ ਕੰਮ ਕੇਡੇ ਢੇਰ ਸਾਰੇ ਹਨ ! ਤੂੰ ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਬੁੱਧੀ ਨਾਲ ਸਾਜਿਆ ਹੈ, ਧਰਤੀ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਰਚਨਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਭਰੀ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ ! 25 ਉੱਥੇ ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਵੱਡਾ ਤੇ ਚੌੜਾ ਹੈ, ਜਿੱਥੇ ਭੁੜਕਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਅਣਗਿਣਤ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਨਿੱਕੇ ਨਿੱਕੇ ਤੇ ਵੱਡੇ-ਵੱਡੇ ਜੀਵ ਹਨ ! 26 ਉੱਥੇ ਜਹਾਜ਼ ਚੱਲਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਤੂੰ ਲਿਵਯਾਥਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਖੇਡਣ ਲਈ ਰਚਿਆ । 27 ਏਹ ਸਾਰੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਉਡੀਕ ਵਿੱਚ ਹਨ, ਕਿ ਤੂੰ ਵੇਲੇ ਸਿਰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਅਹਾਰ ਪਹੁੰਚਾਵੇਂ । 28 ਤੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਓਹ ਚੁਗ ਲੈਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਮੁੱਠੀ ਖੋਲ੍ਹਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਓਹ ਪਦਾਰਥਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਰੱਜ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ । 29 ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਮੁਖੜਾ ਲੁਕਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਓਹ ਘਾਬਰ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਤੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਸਾਹ ਕੱਢ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਓਹ ਪ੍ਰਾਣ ਤਿਆਗਦੇ, ਅਤੇ ਮੁੜ ਆਪਣੀ ਮਿੱਟੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਲ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ । 30 ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਤਮਾ ਭੇਜਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਓਹ ਉਤਪੰਨ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਤੂੰ ਜ਼ਮੀਨ ਨੂੰ ਨਵਾਂ ਬਣਾ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈਂ । 31 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਪਰਤਾਪ ਸਦਾ ਲਈ ਹੋਵੇ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਵੇ, — 32 ਜੋ ਧਰਤੀ ਵੱਲ ਨਿਗਾਹ ਮਾਰਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਕੰਬ ਉੱਠਦੀ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਪਹਾੜਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਟੁੰਬਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਧੂੰਆਂ ਨਿੱਕਲਦਾ ਹੈ ! 33 ਮੈਂ ਜੀਵਨ ਭਰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਗਾਵਾਂਗਾ, ਜਿੰਨਾ ਚਿਰ ਮੈਂ ਰਹਾਂਗਾ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਲਈ ਭਜਨ ਗਾਵਾਂਗਾ ! 34 ਮੇਰਾ ਧਿਆਨ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਭਾਵੇ, ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਗਨ ਰਹਾਂਗਾ । 35 ਪਾਪੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਤੋਂ ਮਿਟ ਜਾਣ, ਅਤੇ ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਬਾਕੀ ਨਾ ਰਹਿਣ ! ਹੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਆਖ, ਹਲਲੂਯਾਹ ! ।
1 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰੋ, ਉਹ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਪੁਕਾਰੋ, ਲੋਕਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਜਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪਰਗਟ ਕਰੋ ! 2 ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਗਾਓ, ਉਸ ਲਈ ਭਜਨ ਗਾਓ, ਉਹ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਅਚਰਜ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਧਿਆਨ ਕਰੋ ! 3 ਉਹ ਦੇ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਨਾਮ ਵਿੱਚ ਫਖਰ ਕਰੋ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਤਾਲੀਬਾਂ ਦੇ ਮਨ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਣ ! 4 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਸਮਰੱਥ ਦੀ ਭਾਲ ਕਰੋ, ਉਹ ਦੇ ਦਰਸ਼ਣ ਨੂੰ ਲਗਾਤਾਰ ਲੋਚੋ । 5 ਉਹ ਦੇ ਅਚਰਜ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਕੀਤੇ ਹਨ ਚੇਤੇ ਰੱਖੋ, ਉਹ ਦੇ ਅਚੰਭਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਦੇ ਨਿਆਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ । 6 ਹੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਦਾਸ ਅਬਰਾਹਾਮ ਦੀ ਨਸਲ, ਹੇ ਯਾਕੂਬ ਵੰਸਿਓ, ਉਹ ਦੇ ਚੁਣੇ ਹੋਏ ਲੋਕੋ, 7 ਉਹੋ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸਾਡਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੈ, ਸਾਰੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਨਿਆਂ ਹਨ ! 8 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਨੇਮ ਨੂੰ ਸਦਾ ਚੇਤੇ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਬਚਨ ਨੂੰ ਜਿਹ ਦਾ ਉਸ ਹਜ਼ਾਰਾਂ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀਆਂ ਲਈ ਹੁਕਮ ਕੀਤਾ, 9 ਜਿਹੜਾ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਅਬਰਾਹਾਮ ਨਾਲ ਬੰਨ੍ਹਿਆ, ਨਾਲੇ ਇਸਹਾਕ ਨਾਲ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਸਹੁੰ ਨੂੰ, 10 ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਯਾਕੂਬ ਲਈ ਬਿਧੀ ਕਰਕੇ ਅਤੇ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਲਈ ਅਨੰਤ ਨੇਮ ਕਰਕੇ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਦ੍ਰਿੜ ਕੀਤਾ, 11 ਅਤੇ ਆਖਿਆ, ਮੈਂ ਕਨਾਨ ਦਾ ਦੇਸ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਦਿਆਂਗਾ, ਏਹ ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਮਿਲਖ ਦਾ ਹਿੱਸਾ ਹੈ, 12 ਜਦ ਓਹ ਗਿਣਤੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਥੋੜੇ ਹੀ ਸਨ, ਸਗੋਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਹੀ ਥੋੜੇ ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਰਦੇਸੀ ਵੀ ਸਨ, 13 ਅਤੇ ਓਹ ਕੌਮ-ਕੌਮ ਵਿੱਚ, ਅਤੇ ਇੱਕ ਰਾਜ ਤੋਂ ਦੂਜੀ ਉੱਮਤ ਵਿੱਚ ਫਿਰਦੇ ਰਹੇ । 14 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਕਿਸੇ ਨੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰ ਨਾ ਕਰਨ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਰਾਜਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਝਿੜਕਿਆ, — 15 ਕਿ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਸਹ ਕੀਤੇ ਹੋਇਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਨਾ ਛੂਹੋ, ਨਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਨਬੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਹਾਣ ਕਰੋ ! 16 ਤਾਂ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਕਾਲ ਪਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਅਤੇ ਰੋਟੀ ਦਾ ਸਾਰਾ ਆਸਰਾ ਭੰਨ ਸੁੱਟਿਆ । 17 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਇੱਕ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਭੇਜਿਆ, ਯੂਸੁਫ਼ ਦਾਸ ਕਰਕੇ ਵੇਚਿਆ ਗਿਆ । 18 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਪੈਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬੇੜੀਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਦੁੱਖ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਉਹ ਲੋਹੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਕੜਿਆ ਗਿਆ, 19 ਉਸ ਵੇਲੇ ਤੱਕ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਬਚਨ ਪੂਰਾ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਪਰਖਦਾ ਰਿਹਾ । 20 ਰਾਜੇ ਨੇ ਹੁਕਮ ਭੇਜ ਕੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਖੋਲ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਰਈਯਤਾਂ ਦੇ ਹਾਕਮ ਨੇ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਆਜ਼ਾਦ ਕੀਤਾ । 21 ਉਸ ਨੇ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਘਰ ਦਾ ਮਾਲਕ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਸਾਰੀ ਮਿਲਖ ਦਾ ਹਾਕਮ ਠਹਿਰਾਇਆ, 22 ਕਿ ਉਹ ਆਪਣੀ ਮਰਜੀ ਨਾਲ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਸਰਦਾਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬੰਨ੍ਹ ਲਵੇ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਬਜੁਰਗਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੱਤ ਸਿਖਾਵੇ । 23 ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਮਿਸਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਗਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਯਾਕੂਬ ਹਾਮ ਦੇ ਦੇਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਰਦੇਸੀ ਰਿਹਾ । 24 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਨੂੰ ਬਹੁਤ ਫਲਵੰਤ ਬਣਾਇਆ ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਬਲਵੰਤ ਕੀਤਾ । 25 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਦਿਲ ਫੇਰ ਦਿੱਤੇ, ਕਿ ਓਹ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਤੋਂ ਘਿਣ ਕਰਨ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਦਾਸਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਚਲਾਕੀ ਕਰਨ । 26 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਦਾਸ ਮੂਸਾ ਨੂੰ ਭੇਜਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਹਾਰੂਨ ਨੂੰ ਜਿਹ ਨੂੰ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਚੁਣਿਆ ਸੀ । 27 ਓਹਨਾਂ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨ, ਅਤੇ ਹਾਮ ਦੇ ਦੇਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਅਚਰਜ ਕੰਮ ਵਿਖਾਏ । 28 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰ ਭੇਜਿਆ ਤਾਂ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰਾ ਘੁੱਪ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ, ਓਹ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਬਚਨਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਆਕੀ ਨਾ ਹੋਏ । 29 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਪਾਣੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਲਹੂ ਬਣਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਮੱਛੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਮਾਰ ਸੁੱਟਿਆ । 30 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਡੱਡੂ ਕਟਕਾਂ ਦੇ ਕਟਕ ਨਿੱਕਲ ਪਏ, ਸਗੋਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਰਾਜੇ ਦੀਆਂ ਕੋਠੜੀਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੀ ! 31 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਹੁਕਮ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਤਾਂ ਮੱਖਾਂ ਦੇ ਝੁੰਡ ਆ ਗਏ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਹੱਦਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਜੂੰਆਂ ਵੀ । 32 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਗੜਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਬੁਛਾੜ ਦਿੱਤੀ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਦੇਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਅੱਗ ਦੀਆਂ ਲੰਬਾਂ । 33 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਅੰਗੂਰ ਅਤੇ ਹਜੀਰਾਂ ਮਾਰ ਦਿੱਤੀਆਂ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਹੱਦਾਂ ਦੇ ਬਿਰਛ ਭੰਨ ਸੁੱਟੇ । 34 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਹੁਕਮ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਤਾਂ ਸਲਾ ਆ ਗਈ, ਅਤੇ ਟੋਕਾ ਅਣਗਿਣਤ ਸੀ । 35 ਓਹਨਾਂ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਦਾ ਸਾਰਾ ਸਾਗ ਪੱਤ ਖਾ ਲਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਜ਼ਮੀਨ ਦੇ ਫਲ ਵੀ ਖਾ ਲਏ । 36 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਦੇਸ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਜੇਠੇ ਮਾਰ ਦਿੱਤੇ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਬਲ ਦੇ ਪਹਿਲੇ ਫਲ ਵੀ । 37 ਉਹ ਚਾਂਦੀ ਅਤੇ ਸੋਨੇ ਨਾਲ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਾਹਰ ਕੱਢ ਲਿਆਇਆ, ਓਹਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਗੋਤਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਕੋਈ ਡਗਮਗਾਉਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਨਾ ਸੀ । 38 ਮਿਸਰੀ ਓਹਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਨਿੱਕਲ ਜਾਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਅਨੰਦ ਸਨ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਭੈ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਆ ਪਿਆ ਸੀ । 39 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਪੜਦੇ ਲਈ ਬੱਦਲ ਤਾਣਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਰਾਤ ਨੂੰ ਚਾਨਣ ਦੇਣ ਲਈ ਅੱਗ ਦਿੱਤੀ । 40 ਓਹਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਮੰਗਣ ਤੇ ਉਹ ਬਟਰ ਲੈ ਆਇਆ, ਅਤੇ ਓਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਵਰਗੀ ਰੋਟੀ ਨਾਲ ਰਜਾਇਆ । 41 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਚੱਟਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਖੋਲ੍ਹਿਆ ਤਾਂ ਪਾਣੀ ਫੁੱਟ ਨਿੱਕਲੇ, ਓਹ ਥਲਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਦੀ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਵਗ ਤੁਰੇ, 42 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਬਚਨ ਨੂੰ ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਦਾਸ ਅਬਰਾਹਾਮ ਨੂੰ ਚੇਤੇ ਰੱਖਿਆ । 43 ਉਹ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਨੂੰ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਵਿੱਚ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਚੁਣੇ ਹੋਇਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਜੈਕਾਰਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਬਾਹਰ ਲੈ ਆਇਆ । 44 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਓਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਦੇ ਦੇਸ ਅਤੇ ਉੱਮਤਾਂ ਦੀ ਕਮਾਈ ਓਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਖ ਵਿੱਚ ਦਿੱਤੀ, 45 ਕਿ ਓਹ ਉਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕਰਨ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਚਾਰਨ । ਹਲਲੂਯਾਹ ! ।
1 ਹਲਲੂਯਾਹ ! ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰੋ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਭਲਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦੀਪਕ ਹੈ ! 2 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਸ਼ਕਤੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੌਣ ਵਰਣਨ ਕਰ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ ? ਕੌਣ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਸਾਰੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਸੁਣਾ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ ? 3 ਧੰਨ ਓਹ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਨਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਹਰ ਵੇਲੇ ਧਰਮ ਕਮਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ ! 4 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਦੇ ਪੱਖਪਾਤ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਚੇਤੇ ਰੱਖ, ਆਪਣੇ ਬਚਾਓ ਨਾਲ ਮੇਰੀ ਸੁੱਧ ਲੈ, 5 ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਚੁਣੇ ਹੋਇਆਂ ਦੀ ਭਲਿਆਈ ਵੇਖਾਂ, ਤੇਰੀ ਕੌਮ ਦੀ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਵਾਂ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਮਿਲਖ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਫਖਰ ਕਰਾਂ ! । 6 ਅਸੀਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਿਉ-ਦਾਦਿਆਂ ਜਿਹੇ ਪਾਪ ਕੀਤੇ, ਅਸੀਂ ਬਦੀ ਅਤੇ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਪੁਣਾ ਕੀਤਾ । 7 ਸਾਡੇ ਪਿਉ-ਦਾਦਿਆਂ ਨੇ ਮਿਸਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੇਰੇ ਅਚਰਜਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਨਾ ਸਮਝਿਆ, ਨਾ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਬਹੁਤੀਆਂ ਦਿਆਲਗੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਚੇਤੇ ਰੱਖਿਆ, ਪਰ ਓਹ ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਅਰਥਾਤ ਲਾਲ ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਆਕੀ ਹੋ ਗਏ । 8 ਤਾਂ ਵੀ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਚਾਇਆ, ਕਿ ਉਹ ਆਪਣੀ ਸ਼ਕਤੀ ਵਿਖਾਵੇ । 9 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਲਾਲ ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਨੂੰ ਦਬਕਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਸੁੱਕ ਗਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਡੂੰਘਿਆਈਆਂ ਦੇ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਦੀ ਜਿਵੇਂ ਉਜਾੜ ਦੇ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਦੀ ਲੰਘਾਇਆ, 10 ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦੁਸ਼ਮਨ ਦੇ ਹੱਥੋਂ ਬਚਾਇਆ, ਅਤੇ ਵੈਰੀ ਦੇ ਹੱਥੋਂ ਛੁਡਾਇਆ । 11 ਪਾਣੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਢੱਕ ਲਿਆ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਇੱਕ ਵੀ ਨਾ ਬਚਿਆ ! 12 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਉਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸੱਚ ਮੰਨਿਆ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਦਾ ਗੀਤ ਗਾਇਆ । 13 ਓਹ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਛੇਤੀ ਹੀ ਭੁੱਲ ਗਏ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਸਲਾਹ ਦੀ ਉਡੀਕ ਨਾ ਕੀਤੀ । 14 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਉਜਾੜ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੱਡੀ ਹਿਰਸ ਕੀਤੀ, ਅਤੇ ਥਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੂੰ ਪਰਤਾਇਆ, 15 ਤਾਂ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਮੰਗ ਪੂਰੀ ਕੀਤੀ, ਪਰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਜਾਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਲਿੱਸਿਆਂ ਨਾ ਕੀਤਾ । 16 ਡੇਰੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਓਹ ਮੂਸਾ, ਅਤੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਭਗਤ ਹਾਰੂਨ ਉੱਤੇ ਸੜੇ, 17 ਧਰਤੀ ਖੁੱਲ੍ਹ ਗਈ ਅਤੇ ਦਾਥਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਨਿਗਲ ਲਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਅਬੀਰਾਮ ਦੀ ਟੋਲੀ ਨੂੰ ਢੱਕ ਲਿਆ, 18 ਤਾਂ ਅੱਗ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਟੋਲੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਫੁੱਟ ਨਿੱਕਲੀ, ਅਤੇ ਲੰਬ ਨੇ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਭਸਮ ਕੀਤਾ । 19 ਹੋਰੇਬ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਇੱਕ ਵੱਛਾ ਬਣਾਇਆ, ਅਤੇ ਢਾਲੇ ਹੋਏ ਬੁੱਤ ਅੱਗੇ ਮੱਥਾ ਟੇਕਿਆ, 20 ਇਉਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਰਤਾਪ ਨੂੰ, ਘਾਹ ਖਾਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਬਲਦ ਦੇ ਰੂਪ ਨਾਲ ਬਦਲ ਲਿਆ ! 21 ਓਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਬਚਾਉਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਨੂੰ ਭੁੱਲ ਗਏ, ਜਿਸ ਨੇ ਮਿਸਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੱਡੇ-ਵੱਡੇ ਕੰਮ ਕੀਤੇ, 22 ਹਾਮ ਦੇ ਦੇਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਅਚਰਜ, ਅਤੇ ਲਾਲ ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਿਆਣਕ ਕੰਮ ! 23 ਤਾਂ ਓਸ ਆਖਿਆ ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਨਾਸ ਕਰ ਸੁੱਟਦਾ, ਜੇ ਮੂਸਾ ਮੇਰਾ ਚੁਣਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਤੇੜ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੇਰੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਖੜ੍ਹਾ ਨਾ ਹੁੰਦਾ, ਕਿ ਮੇਰੇ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਨੂੰ ਨਾਸ ਕਰਨ ਤੋਂ ਮੋੜੇ । 24 ਫੇਰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਉਸ ਮਨਭਾਉਂਦੇ ਦੇਸ ਨੂੰ ਤੁੱਛ ਜਾਤਾ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਬਚਨ ਨੂੰ ਸੱਚ ਨਾ ਮੰਨਿਆ, 25 ਪਰ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਤੰਬੂਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਬੁੜ-ਬੁੜ ਕੀਤੀ, ਅਤੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਨੂੰ ਨਾ ਸੁਣਿਆ । 26 ਤਾਂ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਲਈ ਸਹੁੰ ਖਾਧੀ, ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਉਜਾੜ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੁੱਟ ਦਿਆਂਗਾ, 27 ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਨਸਲ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੁੱਟਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦੇਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਖਿਲਾਰ ਦਿਆਂਗਾ । 28 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਬਆਲ ਪਓਰ ਨਾਲ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ ਜੋੜ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਅਤੇ ਮੁਰਦਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਚੜਾਵਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਖਾਧਾ ! 29 ਇਉਂ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਕਰਤੂਤਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਗੁੱਸੇ ਕੀਤਾ, ਅਤੇ ਮਰੀ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਫੁੱਟ ਪਈ । 30 ਤਾਂ ਫੀਨਹਾਸ ਵਿਚਕਾਰ ਖਲੋ ਗਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਮਰੀ ਰੁਕ ਗਈ, 31 ਅਤੇ ਏਹ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਧਰਮ ਗਿਣਿਆ ਗਿਆ, ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀਓ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਸਦਾ ਲਈ । 32 ਫੇਰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਮਰੀਬਾਹ ਦੇ ਪਾਣੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਗੁੱਸੇ ਨੂੰ ਭੜਕਾਇਆ, ਏਹ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਮੂਸਾ ਲਈ ਬੁਰਾ ਹੋਇਆ, 33 ਓਹ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਆਤਮਾ ਤੋਂ ਆਕੀ ਜੋ ਹੋ ਗਏ ਸਨ, ਤਾਂ ਈ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਬੁੱਲ੍ਹਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਕੁਵੱਲੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਕੱਢੀਆਂ । 34 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਓਹਨਾਂ ਉੱਮਤਾਂ ਦਾ ਨਾਸ ਨਾ ਕੀਤਾ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਲਈ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਹੁਕਮ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਸੀ, 35 ਸਗੋਂ ਓਹ ਓਹਨਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਲ ਗਏ ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਓਹਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਕੰਮ ਸਿੱਖ ਲਏ, 36 ਅਤੇ ਓਹਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਬੁੱਤਾਂ ਦੀ ਪੂਜਾ ਕੀਤੀ, ਜਿਹੜੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਲਈ ਇੱਕ ਫਾਹੀ ਬਣ ਗਏ । 37 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਪੁੱਤਰਾਂ ਧੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਭੂਤਨਿਆ ਲਈ ਬਲੀਦਾਨ ਕੀਤਾ । 38 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਨਿਰਦੋਸ਼ਾਂ ਦਾ ਲਹੂ, ਅਰਥਾਤ ਆਪਣੇ ਪੁੱਤਰਾਂ ਧੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਲਹੂ ਵਹਾਇਆ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਕਨਾਨ ਦੇ ਬੁੱਤਾਂ ਲਈ ਬਲੀਦਾਨ ਕੀਤਾ, 39 ਓਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਭਰਿਸ਼ਟ ਹੋਏ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਕਰਤੱਬੀਂ ਜ਼ਨਾਹਕਾਰ ਠਹਿਰੇ । 40 ਇਉਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਉੱਤੇ ਭੜਕ ਉੱਠਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਮਿਰਾਸ ਤੋਂ ਘਿਣ ਕੀਤੀ । 41 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਦੇ ਵੱਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਦੇ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਕਿ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਦੁਸ਼ਮਨ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਹੁਕਮ ਕਰਨ । 42 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਤਾਇਆ, ਅਤੇ ਓਹ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਹੇਠ ਅਧੀਨ ਹੋ ਗਏ । 43 ਬਹੁਤ ਵਾਰ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾਇਆ, ਪਰ ਓਹ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਸਲਾਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਆਕੀ ਰਹੇ, ਓਹ ਆਪਣੀ ਬਦੀ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਹੀਣੇ ਹੋ ਗਏ । 44 ਜਾਂ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਫਰਿਆਦ ਸੁਣੀ, ਤਾਂ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਦੁੱਖ ਨੂੰ ਵੇਖਿਆ । 45 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਲਈ ਆਪਣੇ ਨੇਮ ਨੂੰ ਚੇਤੇ ਕੀਤਾ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਬੇਹੱਦ ਦਯਾ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਤਰਸ ਖਾਧਾ । 46 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਬੰਧੂਏ ਬਣ ਉਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਰਹਮ ਦੁਵਾਇਆ । 47 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸਾਡੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਸਾਨੂੰ ਬਚਾ ਲੈ ! ਅਤੇ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਇਕੱਠੇ ਕਰ, ਕਿ ਅਸੀਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਨਾਮ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰੀਏ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਵਿੱਚ ਫੁੱਲ ਫੁੱਲ ਬਹੀਏ ! 48 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਦਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਆਦ ਤੋਂ ਅੰਤ ਤੱਕ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਹੋਵੇ ! ਹੇ ਸਾਰੀ ਪਰਜਾ, ਆਖ "ਆਮੀਨ ! " ਹਲਲੂਯਾਹ ! ।
1 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰੋ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਭਲਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦੀਪਕ ਹੈ ! 2 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਛੁਡਾਏ ਹੋਏ ਇਹ ਆਖਣ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਦੇ ਹੱਥੋਂ ਛੁਡਾਇਆ ਹੈ । 3 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦੇਸ ਦਸੰਤਰਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਇਕੱਠਾ ਕੀਤਾ, ਚੜ੍ਹਦਿਓਂ, ਲਹਿੰਦਿਓਂ, ਉੱਤਰੋਂ ਤੇ ਦੱਖਣੋਂ । 4 ਓਹ ਥਲ ਦੇ ਰਾਹ ਉਜਾੜ ਵਿੱਚ ਅਵਾਰਾ ਫਿਰੇ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੋਈ ਵੱਸਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਸ਼ਹਿਰ ਨਾ ਲੱਭਾ । 5 ਓਹ ਭੁੱਖੇ ਤੇ ਤਿਹਾਏ ਸਨ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰਾਣ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਾਢਾਲ ਸਨ । 6 ਤਾਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਬਿਪਤਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਦੁਹਾਈ ਦਿੱਤੀ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਕਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾਇਆ । 7 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਿੱਧੇ ਰਾਹ ਪਾਇਆ, ਕਿ ਓਹ ਕਿਸੇ ਵੱਸੇ ਹੋਏ ਸ਼ਹਿਰ ਨੂੰ ਚੱਲੇ ਜਾਣ । 8 ਕਾਸ਼ ਕਿ ਓਹ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਦੇ, ਅਤੇ ਆਦਮ ਵੰਸੀਆਂ ਲਈ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਅਚਰਜ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਦਾ ! 9 ਉਹ ਤਾਂ ਤਰਸਦੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਰਜਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਭੁੱਖੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਪਦਾਰਥਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਭਰਦਾ ਹੈ । 10 ਜਿਹੜੇ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰੇ ਤੇ ਮੌਤ ਦੇ ਸਾਯੇ ਥੱਲੇ ਵੱਸਦੇ ਸਨ, ਅਤੇ ਦੁੱਖ ਤੇ ਲੋਹੇ ਨਾਲ ਜਕੜੇ ਹੋਏ ਸਨ, 11 ਇਸ ਲਈ ਕਿ ਓਹ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਬਚਨਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਆਕੀ ਹੋ ਗਏ, ਅਤੇ ਅੱਤ ਮਹਾਨ ਦੇ ਸਲਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਤੁੱਛ ਜਾਤਾ, 12 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਮਨ ਨੂੰ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਖੇਚਲ ਨਾਲ ਅਧੀਨ ਕੀਤਾ, ਓਹ ਡਿੱਗਣ ਨੂੰ ਸਨ ਪਰ ਕੋਈ ਸਹਾਇਕ ਨਹੀਂ ਸੀ, 13 ਤਾਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਬਿਪਤਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਦੁਹਾਈ ਦਿੱਤੀ, ਉਹ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਕਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਚਾਇਆ । 14 ਉਹ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰੇ ਤੇ ਮੌਤ ਦੇ ਸਾਯੇ ਹੇਠੋਂ ਕੱਢ ਲਿਆਇਆ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਬੰਦ ਤੋੜ ਸੁੱਟੇ । 15 ਕਾਸ਼ ਕਿ ਓਹ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਦੇ, ਅਤੇ ਆਦਮ ਵੰਸੀਆਂ ਲਈ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਅਚਰਜ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਦਾ ! 16 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਤਾਂ ਪਿੱਤਲ ਦੇ ਦਰ ਭੰਨ ਸੁੱਟੇ, ਤੇ ਲੋਹੇ ਦੇ ਅਰਲਾਂ ਦੇ ਟੋਟੇ-ਟੋਟੇ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤੇ । 17 ਮੂਰਖ ਆਪਣੇ ਕੁਚਲਣ ਤੇ ਕੁਕਰਮ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਦੁੱਖ ਭੋਗਦੇ ਹਨ, 18 ਸਭ ਪਰਕਾਰ ਦੇ ਪਰਸ਼ਾਦਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਜੀਅ ਘਿਣ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਓਹ ਮੌਤ ਦੇ ਫਾਟਕਾਂ ਦੇ ਨੇੜੇ ਪਹੁੰਚਦੇ ਹਨ । 19 ਤਾਂ ਓਹ ਆਪਣੀ ਬਿਪਤਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਦੁਹਾਈ ਦਿੰਦੇ, ਉਹ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਕਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਚਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ । 20 ਉਹ ਆਪਣਾ ਬਚਨ ਭੇਜ ਕੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਚੰਗਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤਬਾਹੀ ਤੋਂ ਬਚਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ । 21 ਕਾਸ਼ ਕਿ ਓਹ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਦੇ, ਅਤੇ ਆਦਮ ਵੰਸੀਆਂ ਲਈ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਅਚਰਜ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਦਾ ! 22 ਓਹ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਦੇ ਬਲੀਦਾਨ ਚੜਾਉਣ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਕੰਮ ਜੈਕਾਰਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਦੱਸਣ । 23 ਜਿਹੜੇ ਜ਼ਹਾਜਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਚੱਲਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਮਹਾਂ ਸਾਗਰ ਦੇ ਉੱਤੋਂ ਦੀ ਆਪਣਾ ਬੁਪਾਰ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ, 24 ਓਹ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਅਚਰਜਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਡੂੰਘਿਆਈ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੇਖਦੇ ਹਨ । 25 ਉਹ ਹੁਕਮ ਦੇ ਕੇ ਤੁਫਾਨ ਵਗਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੀਆਂ ਲਹਿਰਾਂ ਠਾਠਾਂ ਮਾਰਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ । 26 ਓਹ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਤੱਕ ਚੜ੍ਹ ਜਾਂਦੇ, ਓਹ ਡੂੰਘਾਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਣ ਪੈਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਜੀਅ ਦੁੱਖ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਢਲ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, 27 ਓਹ ਝੂਲਦੇ ਫਿਰਦੇ ਹਨ ਤੇ ਸ਼ਰਾਬੀ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਡਿੱਗਦੇ ਢਾਹਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਸਾਰੀ ਮੱਤ ਮਾਰੀ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ । 28 ਤਾਂ ਓਹ ਆਪਣੀ ਬਿਪਤਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਦੁਹਾਈ ਦਿੰਦੇ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਕਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੱਢ ਲਿਆਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ । 29 ਓਹ ਤੂਫਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਥੰਮ੍ਹਾ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੀਆਂ ਲਹਿਰਾਂ ਚੁੱਪ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ । 30 ਤਾਂ ਓਹ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਥੰਮ੍ਹ ਜਾਣ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮਨ ਮੰਗੇ ਘਾਟ ਉੱਤੇ ਪੁਚਾ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ । 31 ਕਾਸ਼ ਕਿ ਓਹ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਦੇ, ਅਤੇ ਆਦਮ ਵੰਸੀਆਂ ਲਈ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਅਚਰਜ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਦਾ ! 32 ਓਹ ਪਰਜਾ ਦੀ ਸਭਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਵਡਿਆਉਣ, ਅਤੇ ਬਜੁਰਗਾਂ ਦੀ ਬੈਠਕ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰਨ । 33 ਉਹ ਨਦੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਉਜਾੜ, ਅਤੇ ਪਾਣੀ ਦੇ ਸੋਤਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਸੜੀ ਸੁੱਕੀ ਜ਼ਮੀਨ ਬਣਾ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ, 34 ਉਸ ਦੇ ਵਾਸੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਬੁਰਾਈ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ, ਉਹ ਫਲਵੰਤ ਜ਼ਮੀਨ ਨੂੰ ਕੱਲਰ ਕਰ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ । 35 ਉਹ ਉਜਾੜ ਨੂੰ ਝੀਲ, ਅਤੇ ਸੜੀ ਸੁੱਕੀ ਜ਼ਮੀਨ ਪਾਣੀ ਦਾ ਸੋਤਾ ਬਣਾ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ, 36 ਅਤੇ ਭੁੱਖਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਉੱਥੇ ਵਸਾ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਕਿ ਓਹ ਵੱਸਣ ਲਈ ਇੱਕ ਸ਼ਹਿਰ ਕਾਇਮ ਕਰਨ, 37 ਅਤੇ ਪੈਲੀਆਂ ਬੀਜਣ ਤੇ ਦਾਖਾਂ ਦੇ ਬਾਗ ਲਾਉਣ, ਅਤੇ ਢੇਰ ਸਾਰੀ ਪੈਦਾਵਾਰ ਲੈਣ । 38 ਉਹ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਰਕਤ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਅਤੇ ਓਹ ਵਧ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਡੰਗਰ ਘਟਣ ਨਹੀਂ ਦਿੰਦਾ । 39 ਫੇਰ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰੇ ਅਤੇ ਬਦੀ ਅਤੇ ਰੰਜ ਦੇ ਮਾਰੇ, ਓਹ ਘੱਟ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਅਤੇ ਨਿਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ । 40 ਉਹ ਪਤਵੰਤਿਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਸੂਗ ਡੋਲ੍ਹਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬੇਰਾਹ ਥਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਭੂਆਂਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ । 41 ਪਰ ਉਹ ਕੰਗਾਲ ਨੂੰ ਦੁੱਖ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਉਤਾਹਾਂ ਬਿਠਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਟੱਬਰ ਇੱਜੜ ਜਿਹਾ ਕਰ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ । 42 ਸਿੱਧੇ ਲੋਕ ਵੇਖ ਕੇ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਣਗੇ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਰੀ ਬੁਰਿਆਈ ਆਪਣਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਬੰਦ ਕਰੇਗੀ । 43 ਜੋ ਕੋਈ ਬੁੱਧਵਾਨ ਹੈ ਉਹ ਏਹਨਾਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੰਨੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਉੱਤੇ ਧਿਆਨ ਲਾਵੇਗਾ ।
1 ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨ ਕਾਇਮ ਹੈ, ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮਾਂ ਗਾਵਾਂਗਾ, ਹਾਂ, ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਰਤਾਪ ਸਣੇ ਭਜਨ ਕੀਰਤਨ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ ! 2 ਹੇ ਸਤਾਰ ਤੇ ਬਰਬਤ, ਜਾਗੋ, ਮੈਂ ਫਜਰ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਜਗਾ ਦਿਆਂਗਾ ! 3 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਂ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੇਰਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਉੱਮਤਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੇਰੇ ਭਜਨ ਕੀਰਤਨ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 4 ਤੇਰੀ ਦਯਾ ਤਾਂ ਅਕਾਸ਼ਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਉੱਚੀ ਤੇ ਵੱਡੀ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਵਫ਼ਾਦਾਰੀ ਬੱਦਲਾਂ ਤੱਕ ਹੈ ! 5 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਦੇ ਉਤਾਹਾਂ ਤੂੰ ਮਹਾਨ ਹੋ, ਸਾਰੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਉਤਾਹਾਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਹੋਵੇ ! । 6 ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਤੇਰੇ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮ ਛੁਡਾਏ ਜਾਣ, ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਸੱਜੇ ਹੱਥ ਨਾਲ ਬਚਾ ਲੈ ਅਤੇ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦੇ । 7 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਵਿੱਤਰਤਾਈ ਨਾਲ ਬਚਨ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਮਨਾਵਾਂਗਾ, ਮੈਂ ਸ਼ਕਮ ਨੂੰ ਵੰਡਾਂਗਾ, ਮੈਂ ਸੁੱਕੋਥ ਦੀ ਦੂਣ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਣਾਂਗਾ । 8 ਗਿਲਆਦ ਮੇਰਾ ਹੈ, ਮਨੱਸ਼ਹ ਵੀ, ਅਤੇ ਇਫਰਾਈਮ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਿਰ ਦਾ ਟੋਪ ਹੈ, ਯਹੂਦਾਹ ਮੇਰਾ ਰਾਜ ਡੰਡਾ ਹੈ, 9 ਮੋਆਬ ਮੇਰੀ ਚਿਲਮਚੀ ਹੈ, ਅਦੋਮ ਉੱਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣਾ ਪੌਲਾ ਸੁੱਟਾਂਗਾ, ਫ਼ਲਿਸਤ ਉੱਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਨਾਰਾ ਮਾਰਾਂਗਾ । 10 ਕੌਣ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉਸ ਫ਼ਸੀਲਦਾਰ ਸ਼ਹਿਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੈ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ ? ਕੌਣ ਅਦੋਮ ਤੱਕ ਮੇਰੀ ਅਗਵਾਈ ਕਰੇਗਾ ? 11 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਕੀ ਤੂੰ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਤਿਆਗ ਨਹੀਂ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਕਿ ਤੂੰ, ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਸਾਡੀਆਂ ਸੈਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਸੰਗ ਨਹੀਂ ਚੱਲਦਾ ? 12 ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਤੋਂ ਸਾਡੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਕਰ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਆਦਮੀ ਦਾ ਬਚਾਓ ਵਿਅਰਥ ਹੈ । 13 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਅਸੀਂ ਸੂਰਮਗਤੀ ਕਰਾਂਗੇ, ਉਹੀ ਸਾਡੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਲਤਾੜ ਸੁੱਟੇਗਾ ! ।
1 ਹੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਤੂੰ ਚੁੱਪ ਨਾ ਰਹਿ, 2 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਭੈੜਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਅਤੇ ਛਲ ਵਾਲਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਖੋਲਿਆ ਹੈ, ਓਹ ਝੂਠੀ ਜੀਭ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬੋਲੇ । 3 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਵੈਰ ਦੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਘੇਰ ਲਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਧਗਾਣੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਝਗੜੇ । 4 ਮੇਰੇ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਦੇ ਬਦਲੇ ਓਹ ਮੇਰਾ ਵਿਰੋਧ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 5 ਭਲਿਆਈ ਦੇ ਬਦਲੇ ਬੁਰਿਆਈ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਦੇ ਬਦਲੇ ਵੈਰ ਓਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਰੱਖਦੇ ਹਨ । 6 ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਲਾ, ਅਤੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਸੱਜੇ ਹੱਥ ਖੜ੍ਹਾ ਰਹੇ ! 7 ਆਪਣੇ ਨਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹ ਦੋਸ਼ੀ ਨਿੱਕਲੇ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾ ਪਾਪ ਗਿਣੀ ਜਾਵੇ ! 8 ਉਹ ਦੇ ਦਿਨ ਥੋੜੇ ਹੋਣ, ਉਹ ਦਾ ਹੁਦਾ ਕੋਈ ਹੋਰ ਲਵੇ ! 9 ਉਹ ਦੇ ਬੱਚੇ ਯਤੀਮ ਹੋ ਜਾਣ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਤੀਵੀਂ ਰੰਡੀ ਹੋ ਜਾਵੇ ! 10 ਉਹ ਦੇ ਬਾਲ ਰੁਲਦੇ ਫਿਰਨ ਤੇ ਭੀਖ ਮੰਗਣ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਉੱਜੜੇ ਥਾਵਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਦੂਰ ਟੁੱਕਰ ਲੱਭਣ ! 11 ਉਹ ਦਾ ਸ਼ਾਹ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਸਭ ਕੁੱਝ ਫਾਹ ਲਵੇ, ਅਤੇ ਓਪਰੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਕਮਾਈ ਨੂੰ ਠੱਗ ਲੈਣ ! 12 ਕੋਈ ਨਾ ਹੋਵੇ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਦਯਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਰਹੇ, ਨਾ ਕੋਈ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਯਤੀਮਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਤਰਸ ਕਰੇ ! 13 ਉਹ ਦੀ ਅੰਸ ਮੁਕਾਈ ਜਾਵੇ, ਆਉਣ ਵਾਲੀ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਓਹਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਨਾਉਂ ਮਿਟਾਇਆ ਜਾਵੇ ! 14 ਉਹ ਦੇ ਪਿਉ-ਦਾਦਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਬਦੀ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਚੇਤੇ ਰਹੇ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਮਾਂ ਦਾ ਪਾਪ ਨਾ ਮਿਟਾਇਆ ਜਾਵੇ ! 15 ਓਹ ਸਦਾ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਪਏ ਰਹਿਣ, ਕਿ ਉਹ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਯਾਦ ਧਰਤੀਓਂ ਮੁਕਾ ਦੇਵੇ, 16 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਦਯਾ ਕਰਨੀ ਚੇਤੇ ਨਾ ਰੱਖੀ, ਪਰ ਉਹ ਮਸਕੀਨ, ਕੰਗਾਲ ਤੇ ਟੁੱਟੇ ਦਿਲ ਵਾਲੇ ਨੂੰ ਮਾਰ ਸੁੱਟਣ ਲਈ ਪਿੱਛੇ ਪਿਆ, 17 ਹਾਂ, ਉਹ ਨੇ ਫਿਟਕਾਰ ਨਾਲ ਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਰੱਖੀ, ਸੋ ਉਹ ਉਸ ਤੇ ਆ ਪਈ, ਅਤੇ ਬਰਕਤ ਤੋਂ ਉਹ ਖੁਸ਼ ਨਹੀਂ ਸੀ, ਸੋ ਉਹ ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਦੂਰ ਰਹੀ, 18 ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਫਿਟਕਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਬਸਤਰ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਪਾਇਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਸੀ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਪਾਣੀ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਅੰਦਰ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਹੱਡੀਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੇਲ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਸਮਾਈ ਹੋਇਆ ਸੀ । 19 ਉਹ ਉਸ ਲਈ ਉਸ ਲੀੜੇ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਹੋ ਜਾਵੇ ਜਿਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ ਢੱਕੇ, ਤੇ ਉਸ ਪੇਟੀ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਜਿਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਉਹ ਆਪਣੀ ਕਮਰ ਕੱਸਦਾ ਰਹੇ ! 20 ਏਹੋ ਈ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਬਦਲਾ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਹੋਵੇ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਬੁਰਾ ਬੋਲਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਵੀ ! 21 ਪਰ ਤੂੰ, ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਆਪਣੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਕੁੱਝ ਕਰ, ਤੇਰੀ ਦਯਾ ਤਾਂ ਭਲੀ ਹੈ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾ ਲੈ, 22 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਮਸਕੀਨ ਤੇ ਕੰਗਾਲ ਹਾਂ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਦਿਲ ਮੇਰੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਫੱਟੜ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ । 23 ਮੈਂ ਢਲਦੀ ਛਾਂ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਰਿਹਾ, ਮੈਂ ਸਲਾ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਝਾੜਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ, 24 ਵਰਤਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਮੇਰੇ ਗੋਡੇ ਭਿੜਦੇ ਹਨ, ਮੇਰਾ ਮਾਸ ਤੇਲ ਖੁਣੋਂ ਲਿੱਸਾ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ । 25 ਮੈਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਤਾਨਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਥਾਂ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ, ਜਦ ਓਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਵੇਖਦੇ, ਓਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਿਰ ਹਿਲਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ । 26 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੇਰੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਕਰ ! ਆਪਣੀ ਦਯਾ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਚਾ, 27 ਕਿ ਓਹ ਜਾਣਨ ਕਿ ਏਹ ਤੇਰਾ ਹੀ ਹੱਥ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਤੂੰ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਏਹ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ । 28 ਓਹ ਫਿਟਕਾਰਾਂ ਦੇਣ ਪਰ ਤੂੰ ਬਰਕਤ ਦੇ ! ਜਦ ਓਹ ਉੱਠਣ ਤਾਂ ਓਹ ਸ਼ਰਮਿੰਦੇ ਹੋਣ, ਪਰ ਤੇਰਾ ਦਾਸ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਵੇ ! 29 ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਨਿਰਾਦਰੀ ਪਹਿਨਣ, ਓਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ ਲਾਜ ਨਾਲ ਚੱਦਰ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਕੱਜਣ ! 30 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਨਾਲ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਬਹੁਤ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਬਹੁਤਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 31 ਉਹ ਤਾਂ ਕੰਗਾਲ ਦੇ ਸੱਜੇ ਹੱਥ ਖੜ੍ਹਾ ਰਹੇਗਾ, ਕਿ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਜਾਨ ਦੇ ਨਿਆਂ ਕਾਰਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਬਚਾਵੇ ।
1 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਲਈ ਇਹ ਵਾਕ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਸੱਜੇ ਪਾਸੇ ਬੈਠ ਜਦ ਤੱਕ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਤੇਰੇ ਪੈਰ ਰੱਖਣ ਦੀ ਚੌਂਕੀ ਨਾ ਕਰ ਦਿਆਂ । 2 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਬਲ ਦੀ ਆਸਾ ਸੀਯੋਨ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਘੱਲੇਗਾ, ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਵਿਚਕਾਰ ਰਾਜ ਕਰ । 3 ਤੇਰੇ ਲੋਕ ਤੇਰੀ ਭਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਵੇਲੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਨਾਲ ਪੇਸ਼ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਸਜਾਵਟ ਨਾਲ ਤੜਕੇ ਦੀ ਕੁੱਖੋਂ, ਤੇਰੇ ਜੁਆਨ ਤੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਤ੍ਰੇਲ ਵਰਗੇ ਹਨ । 4 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੇ ਸਹੁੰ ਖਾਧੀ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਨਹੀਂ ਮੁਕਰੇਗਾ, ਤੂੰ ਮਲਕਿਸਿਦਕ ਦੀ ਪਦਵੀ ਦੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਦਾ ਜਾਜਕ ਹੈਂ । 5 ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਤੇਰੇ ਸੱਜੇ ਹੱਥ ਤੇ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਦੇ ਦਿਨ ਰਾਜਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਵਿੰਨ੍ਹ ਸੁੱਟੇਗਾ, 6 ਉਹ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਿਆਂ ਕਰੇਗਾ, ਉਹ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਲੋਥਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਭਰ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ, ਉਹ ਖੋਪਰੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਹੁਤਿਆਂ ਦੇਸਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਵਿੰਨ੍ਹ ਸੁੱਟੇਗਾ । 7 ਉਹ ਰਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਦੀ ਦੇ ਪਾਣੀ ਨੂੰ ਪੀਵੇਗਾ, ਤਾਂ ਹੀ ਉਹ ਸਿਰ ਉੱਚਾ ਕਰੇਗਾ ।
1 ਹੇਲੈਲੂਯਾਹ ! ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਦਿਲ ਨਾਲ, ਸਿੱਧਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਪਰਿਹਾ ਤੇ ਮੰਡਲੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 2 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਕੰਮ ਵੱਡੇ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਸਾਰੇ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਰਸੰਨ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਭਾਲਦੇ ਹਨ । 3 ਉਹ ਦੀ ਕਰਨੀ ਤੇਜ ਅਤੇ ਉਪਮਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਧਰਮ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਬਣਿਆ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ । 4 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਅਚਰਜ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਇੱਕ ਯਾਦਗਾਰ ਬਣਾਇਆ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਯਾਲੂ ਤੇ ਕਿਰਪਾਲੂ ਹੈ । 5 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਡਰਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਖਾਣਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਨੇਮ ਨੂੰ ਸਦਾ ਲਈ ਚੇਤੇ ਰੱਖੇਗਾ । 6 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਦਾ ਬਲ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਖਾਇਆ, ਜਦੋਂ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਦੀ ਮਿਰਾਸ ਦਿੱਤੀ । 7 ਉਹ ਦੇ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਦੇ ਕੰਮ ਸਚਿਆਈ ਤੇ ਨਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਹ ਦੇ ਫਰਮਾਨ ਵਫ਼ਾਦਾਰੀ ਦੇ ਹਨ । 8 ਓਹ ਸਦਾ ਹੀ ਅਟੱਲ ਰਹਿਣਗੇ, ਓਹ ਸਚਿਆਈ ਤੇ ਸਿਧਿਆਈ ਨਾਲ ਕੀਤੇ ਗਏ ਹਨ । 9 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਲਈ ਛੁਟਕਾਰਾ ਭੇਜਿਆ, ਉਹ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਨੇਮ ਦਾ ਸਦਾ ਲਈ ਹੁਕਮ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਤੇ ਭੈ ਦਾਇਕ ਹੈ ! 10 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਡਰ ਬੁੱਧ ਦਾ ਮੂਲ ਹੈ, ਜਿੰਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪੂਰਾ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਸਮਝ ਚੰਗੀ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਬਣੀ ਰਹੇਗੀ ।
1 ਹਲਲੂਯਾਹ ! ਧੰਨ ਹੈ ਉਹ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਭੈ ਮੰਨਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਹੁਕਮਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਹੁਤ ਮਗਨ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ । 2 ਉਹ ਦੀ ਅੰਸ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਬਲਵਾਨ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ, ਸਚਿਆਰਾਂ ਦੀ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ । 3 ਧਨ ਦੌਲਤ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਘਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਧਰਮ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਬਣਿਆ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ । 4 ਸਚਿਆਰਾਂ ਲਈ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਚਾਨਣ ਚੜ੍ਹ ਆਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਦਯਾਲੂ, ਕਿਰਪਾਲੂ ਤੇ ਧਰਮੀ ਹੈ । 5 ਉਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਦਯਾਵਾਨ ਤੇ ਉਧਾਰ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਇਨਸਾਫ਼ ਨਾਲ ਚਲਾਏਗਾ । 6 ਉਹ ਕਦੀ ਵੀ ਨਾ ਡੋਲੇਗਾ, ਧਰਮੀ ਸਦਾ ਦੀ ਯਾਦਗੀਰੀ ਲਈ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ । 7 ਉਹ ਬੁਰੀ ਖ਼ਬਰ ਤੋਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਡਰਦਾ, ਉਹ ਦਾ ਦਿਲ ਮਜਬੂਤ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਦਾ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉੱਤੇ ਹੈ । 8 ਉਹ ਦਾ ਮਨ ਤਕੜਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਨਾ ਡੋਲੇਗਾ, ਜਦ ਤੱਕ ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ (ਆਪਣੀ ਜਿੱਤ) ਨਾ ਵੇਖੇ । 9 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਵੰਡਿਆ, ਉਹ ਨੇ ਕੰਗਾਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਉਹ ਦਾ ਧਰਮ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਬਣਿਆ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਦਾ ਸਿੰਙ ਪਰਤਾਪ ਨਾਲ ਉੱਚਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ । 10 ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਇਹ ਨੂੰ ਵੇਖ ਕੇ ਕੁੜ੍ਹੇਗਾ, ਦੰਦ ਪੀਹ ਪੀਹ ਕੇ ਉਹ ਗਲ਼ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ, ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਦੀ ਹਿਰਸ ਨਾਸ ਹੋ ਜਾਵੇਗੀ ।
1 ਹਲਲੂਯਾਹ ! ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਸੇਵਕੋ, ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੋ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੋ ! 2 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਹੋਵੇ, ਹੁਣ ਤੋਂ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਸਦੀਪਕ ਕਾਲ ਤੱਕ ! 3 ਸੂਰਜ ਦੇ ਚੜਨ ਤੋਂ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਲਹਿਣ ਤੱਕ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਹੋਵੇ ! 4 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸਭ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਮਹਾਨ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਅਕਾਸ਼ਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਵੀ ਉੱਪਰ ਹੈ । 5 ਕੌਣ ਸਾਡੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਤੁੱਲ ਹੈ ? ਜਿਹੜਾ ਉਚਿਆਈ ਤੇ ਵੱਸਦਾ ਹੈ, 6 ਜਿਹੜਾ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ ਨੀਵਿਆਂ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਕਿ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਅਤੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਨਿਗਾਹ ਮਾਰੇ, 7 ਜਿਹੜਾ ਗਰੀਬ ਨੂੰ ਖਾਕ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਚੁੱਕਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਕੰਗਾਲ ਨੂੰ ਰੂੜੀ ਤੋਂ ਉਠਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, 8 ਕਿ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਪਤਵੰਤਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ, ਸਗੋਂ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦੇ ਪਤਵੰਤਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਿਠਾਵੇ, 9 ਉਹ ਬੇਉਲਾਦਾ ਤੀਵੀਂ ਦਾ ਘਰ ਵਸਾਉਂਦਾ, ਅਤੇ ਬੱਚਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਮਾਂ ਬਣਾ ਕੇ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਅਨੰਦ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ । ਹਲਲੂਯਾਹ ! ।
1 ਜਦ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਮਿਸਰ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਨਿੱਕਲਿਆ, ਯਾਕੂਬ ਦਾ ਘਰਾਣਾ ਇੱਕ ਓਪਰੀ ਬੋਲੀ ਦੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਤੋਂ, 2 ਤਾਂ ਯਹੂਦਾਹ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਸਥਾਨ, ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਰਾਜ ਹੋਇਆ । 3 ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਨੇ ਡਿੱਠਾ ਤੇ ਨੱਠਾ, ਯਰਦਨ ਉਲਟੀ ਵਗੀ ! 4 ਪਹਾੜ ਛੱਤਰਿਆਂ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਟੱਪਦੇ ਸਨ, ਪਹਾੜੀਆਂ ਲੇਲਿਆਂ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ । 5 ਹੇ ਸਮੁੰਦਰ, ਤੈਨੂੰ ਕੀ ਹੋਇਆ ਕਿ ਤੂੰ ਨੱਠਦਾ ਹੈਂ ? ਤੂੰ, ਯਰਦਨ, ਕਿਉਂ ਉਲਟੀ ਵਗਦੀ ਹੈਂ ? 6 ਹੇ ਪਹਾੜੋ, ਤੁਸੀਂ ਛੱਤਰਿਆਂ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ, ਹੇ ਪਹਾੜੀਓ, ਤੁਸੀਂ ਲੇਲਿਆਂ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਕਿਉਂ ਟੱਪਦੇ ਹੋ ? 7 ਹੇ ਧਰਤੀ, ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੇ ਹਜ਼ੂਰ, ਯਾਕੂਬ ਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਸਨਮੁੱਖ ਕੰਬ, 8 ਜਿਸ ਨੇ ਚੱਟਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਪਾਣੀ ਦਾ ਛੰਭ, ਚਖਮਖ ਦੇ ਪੱਥਰ ਨੂੰ ਪਾਣੀ ਦਾ ਚਸ਼ਮਾ ਬਣਾ ਛੱਡਿਆ ਹੈ ।
1 ਸਾਨੂੰ ਨਹੀਂ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਸਾਨੂੰ ਨਹੀਂ, ਸਗੋਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਹੀ ਨਾਮ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਦਯਾ ਤੇ ਸਚਿਆਈ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਦੇ ! 2 ਕੌਮਾਂ ਇਉਂ ਆਖਣ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਹੋਊ ? 3 ਸਾਡਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਸਵਰਗ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਨੇ ਜੋ ਚਾਹਿਆ ਸੋ ਕੀਤਾ । 4 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਬੁੱਤ ਸੋਨਾ ਚਾਂਦੀ ਹੀ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਇਨਸਾਨ ਦੇ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਦੀ ਬਨਾਵਟ ਹਨ । 5 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਤਾਂ ਹਨ ਪਰ ਬੋਲਦੇ ਨਹੀਂ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਤਾਂ ਹਨ ਪਰ ਓਹ ਵੇਖਦੇ ਨਹੀਂ, 6 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਕੰਨ ਤਾਂ ਹਨ ਪਰ ਓਹ ਸੁਣਦੇ ਨਹੀਂ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਨੱਕ ਤਾਂ ਹਨ ਪਰ ਓਹ ਸੁੰਘਦੇ ਨਹੀਂ, 7 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਹੱਥ ਵੀ ਹਨ ਪਰ ਓਹ ਫੜਦੇ ਨਹੀਂ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਪੈਰ ਵੀ ਹਨ ਪਰ ਓਹ ਚੱਲਦੇ ਨਹੀਂ, ਨਾ ਓਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਸੰਘ ਤੋਂ ਹੁੰਗਾਰਾ ਭਰਦੇ ਹਨ ! 8 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਬਣਾਉਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਹੀ ਵਰਗੇ ਹੋਣਗੇ, ਨਾਲੇ ਓਹ ਸਾਰੇ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖਦੇ ਹਨ । 9 ਹੇ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖ ! ਉਹ ਓਹਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਸਹਾਇਕ ਤੇ ਓਹਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਢਾਲ ਹੈ । 10 ਹੇ ਹਾਰੂਨ ਦੇ ਘਰਾਣੇ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖ ! ਉਹ ਓਹਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਸਹਾਇਕ ਤੇ ਓਹਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਢਾਲ ਹੈ । 11 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਤੋਂ ਡਰਨ ਵਾਲਿਓ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖੋ ! ਉਹ ਓਹਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਸਹਾਇਕ ਤੇ ਓਹਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਢਾਲ ਹੈ । 12 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੇ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਚੇਤੇ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਬਰਕਤ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ, ਉਹ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਦੇ ਘਰਾਣੇ ਨੂੰ ਬਰਕਤ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ, ਉਹ ਹਾਰੂਨ ਦੇ ਘਰਾਣੇ ਨੂੰ ਬਰਕਤ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ ! 13 ਉਹ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਤੋਂ ਡਰਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਰਕਤ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ, ਕੀ ਛੋਟੇ ਕੀ ਵੱਡੇ ! 14 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਵਧਾਈ ਜਾਵੇ, ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਤੇ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਬਾਲਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ! 15 ਤੁਸੀਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਹੋ, ਜਿਹੜਾ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਤੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਦਾ ਸਿਰਜਣਹਾਰ ਹੈ । 16 ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਹਨ, ਪਰ ਧਰਤੀ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਮਾਤ੍ਰ ਦੇ ਵੰਸ ਨੂੰ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਹੈ । 17 ਮੁਰਦੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਦੇ, ਨਾ ਓਹ ਸਾਰੇ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਖਮੋਸ਼ੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਤਰ ਗਏ ਹਨ । 18 ਪਰ ਅਸੀਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਆਖਾਂਗਾ, ਹੁਣ ਤੋਂ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਸਦੀਪਕ ਕਾਲ ਤੱਕ । ਹਲਲੂਯਾਹ ! ।
1 ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨਾਲ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਇਸ ਲਈ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਮੇਰੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਤੇ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਅਰਜੋਈਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਸੁਣਦਾ ਹੈ । 2 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਜੋ ਮੇਰੀ ਵੱਲ ਕੰਨ ਲਾਇਆ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਜੀਵਨ ਭਰ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰਾਂਗਾ । 3 ਮੌਤ ਦੀਆਂ ਡੋਰੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਵਲ ਲਿਆ, ਪਤਾਲ ਦੇ ਦੁੱਖਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਆਣ ਲੱਭਿਆ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਦੁੱਖ ਤੇ ਸੋਗ ਮਿਲਿਆ । 4 ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰਿਆ, — ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾ ਲਈ ! 5 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਯਾਵਾਨ ਤੇ ਧਰਮੀ ਹੈ, ਸਾਡਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਰਹੀਮ ਹੈ । 6 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਭੋਲੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਹੀਣਾ ਪੈ ਗਿਆ ਪਰ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਚਾਇਆ । 7 ਹੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ, ਆਪਣੇ ਟਿਕਾਣੇ ਨੂੰ ਮੁੜ ਚੱਲ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਪਰਉਪਕਾਰ ਜੋ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ, 8 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਮੌਤ ਤੋਂ, ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਅੰਝੂਆਂ ਤੋਂ, ਮੇਰੇ ਪੈਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤਿਲਕਣ ਤੋਂ ਛੁਡਾਇਆ ਹੈ । 9 ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ-ਅੱਗੇ ਜਿਉਂਦਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਦੇਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੁਰਾਂਗਾ । 10 ਮੈਂ ਨਿਹਚਾ ਕੀਤੀ ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਬੋਲਾਂਗਾ, ਮੈਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਅਧੀਨ ਹੋਇਆ, 11 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੀ ਘਬਰਾਹਟ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਖ ਬੈਠਾ, ਕਿ ਹਰੇਕ ਆਦਮੀ ਝੂਠਾ ਹੈ । 12 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਉਪਕਾਰਾਂ ਲਈ, ਮੈਂ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਕੀ ਮੋੜ ਕੇ ਦਿਆਂ ? 13 ਮੈਂ ਮੁਕਤੀ ਦਾ ਪਿਆਲਾ ਚੁੱਕਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਉੱਤੇ ਪੁਕਾਰਾਂਗਾ । 14 ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਲਈ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਸੁੱਖਣਾਂ ਲਾਹਵਾਂਗਾ, ਹਾਂ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਸਾਰੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਦੇ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ । 15 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਨਿਗਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਸੰਤਾਂ ਦੀ ਮੌਤ ਬਹੁਮੁੱਲੀ ਹੈ ! 16 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਂ ਸੱਚ-ਮੁੱਚ ਤੇਰਾ ਦਾਸ ਹਾਂ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰਾ ਹੀ ਦਾਸ ਹਾਂ, ਤੇਰੀ ਗੋੱਲੀ ਦਾ ਪੁੱਤਰ, ਤੂੰ ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਬੰਧਨ ਖੋਲ੍ਹੇ ਹਨ । 17 ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਦਾ ਬਲੀਦਾਨ ਚੜ੍ਹਾਵਾਂਗਾ, ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰਾਂਗਾ । 18 ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਲਈ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਸੁੱਖਣਾਂ ਲਾਹਵਾਂਗਾ, ਹਾਂ, ਇਹ ਦੀ ਸਾਰੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਦੇ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ, 19 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਭਵਨ ਦੀਆਂ ਦਰਗਾਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ, ਹੇ ਯਰੂਸ਼ਲਮ, ਤੇਰੇ ਐਨ ਵਿਚਕਾਰ । ਹਲਲੂਯਾਹ ! ।
1 ਹੇ ਸਾਰੀਓ ਕੌਮੋ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੋ, ਹੇ ਸਾਰੀਓ ਉੱਮਤੋ, ਉਹ ਦੇ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਓ ! 2 ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਾਡੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਡਾਢੀ ਜੋ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਵਫ਼ਾਦਾਰੀ ਸਦੀਪਕ ਹੈ । ਹਲਲੂਯਾਹ ! ।
1 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰੋ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਭਲਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਤਾਂ ਸਦੀਪਕ ਹੈ ! 2 ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਵੀ ਆਖੇ, ਕਿ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦੀਪਕ ਹੈ । 3 ਹਾਰੂਨ ਦਾ ਘਰਾਣਾ ਵੀ ਆਖੇ, ਕਿ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦੀਪਕ ਹੈ । 4 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਤੋਂ ਡਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਵੀ ਆਖਣ, ਕਿ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦੀਪਕ ਹੈ ! । 5 ਮੈਂ ਦੁੱਖ ਵਿੱਚ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰਿਆ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੇ ਉੱਤਰ ਦੇ ਕੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਖੁੱਲ੍ਹੇ ਥਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਰੱਖਿਆ । 6 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੇਰੀ ਵੱਲ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਡਰਾਂਗਾ, ਆਦਮੀ ਮੇਰਾ ਕੀ ਕਰ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ ? 7 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੇਰੀ ਵੱਲ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਹਾਇਕਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਦੁਸ਼ਮਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੇਖ ਲਵਾਂਗਾ । 8 ਆਦਮੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸੇ ਰੱਖਣ ਨਾਲੋਂ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਰਨ ਲੈਣਾ ਭਲਾ ਹੈ । 9 ਪਤਵੰਤਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖਣ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਰਨ ਲੈਣਾ ਭਲਾ ਹੈ । 10 ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਘੇਰਾ ਪਾ ਲਿਆ, ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੱਢ ਹੀ ਸੁੱਟਿਆ । 11 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਘੇਰ ਲਿਆ, ਆਹੋ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਘੇਰਾ ਪਾ ਲਿਆ, ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੱਢ ਹੀ ਸੁੱਟਿਆ । 12 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਸ਼ਹਿਤ ਦੀਆਂ ਮੱਖੀਆਂ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਘੇਰ ਲਿਆ, ਓਹ ਕੰਡਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਅੱਗ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਬੁੱਝ ਗਏ, ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੱਢ ਹੀ ਸੁੱਟਿਆ । 13 ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਡੇਗਣ ਲਈ ਵੱਡਾ ਧੱਕਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਪਰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਕੀਤੀ । 14 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੇਰਾ ਬਲ ਤੇ ਗੀਤ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਮੇਰਾ ਬਚਾਓ ਹੈਗਾ । 15 ਧਰਮੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਡੇਰਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਚਾਓ ਤੇ ਜੈਕਾਰੇ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਹੈ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਸੱਜਾ ਹੱਥ ਸੂਰਮਗਤੀ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ । 16 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਸੱਜਾ ਹੱਥ ਉੱਚਾ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਸੱਜਾ ਹੱਥ ਸੂਰਮਗਤੀ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ । 17 ਮੈਂ ਮਰਾਂਗਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਸਗੋਂ ਮੈਂ ਜੀਆਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਦਾ ਵਰਣਨ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 18 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਹੁਤ ਤਾੜਿਆ, ਪਰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮੌਤ ਦੇ ਹਵਾਲੇ ਨਾ ਕੀਤਾ । 19 ਧਰਮ ਦੇ ਫਾਟਕ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਖੋਲ੍ਹ ਦਿਓ, ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਾ ਕੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 20 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਫਾਟਕ ਇਹ ਹੈ, ਧਰਮੀ ਇਹ ਦੇ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਦੀ ਜਾਣਗੇ । 21 ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ, ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰਾ ਬਚਾਓ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈਂ । 22 ਜਿਸ ਪੱਥਰ ਨੂੰ ਰਾਜਾਂ ਨੇ ਰੱਦਿਆ, ਸੋਈ ਖੂੰਜੇ ਦਾ ਸਿਰ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ । 23 ਏਹ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਡੀ ਨਜ਼ਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਅਚਰਜ ਹੈ । 24 ਏਹ ਦਿਨ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੇ ਬਣਾਇਆ, ਉਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਅਸੀਂ ਬਾਗ ਬਾਗ ਤੇ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਈਏ ! 25 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਬਿਨਤੀ ਹੈ, ਬਚਾ ਲੈ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਬਿਨਤੀ ਹੈ, ਨਿਹਾਲ ਕੇ ! 26 ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਉਹ ਹੈ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਤੇ ਆਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਸੀਂ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਭਵਨ ਤੋਂ ਬਰਕਤ ਦਿੱਤੀ । 27 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਸਾਡੇ ਲਈ ਚਾਨਣ ਕੀਤਾ, ਜਗ ਪਸੂ ਨੂੰ ਰੱਸਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਬੰਨ੍ਹ ਦਿਓ, — ਜਗਵੇਦੀ ਦੇ ਸਿੰਙਾਂ ਤੱਕ । 28 ਮੇਰਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਤੂੰ ਹੈਂ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਜ਼ੁਰਗੀ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 29 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰੋ ਜੋ ਉਹ ਭਲਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਜੋ ਸਦੀਪਕ ਹੈ ।
1 ਧੰਨ ਓਹ ਹਨ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਪਰਮ ਚਲ ਹਨ, ਜਿਹੜੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਉੱਤੇ ਚੱਲਦੇ ਹਨ ! 2 ਧੰਨ ਓਹ ਹਨ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਇਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਸਾਖੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੰਨਦੇ, ਅਤੇ ਤਨੋ ਮਨੋ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਭਾਲਦੇ ਹਨ ! 3 ਓਹ ਤਾਂ ਬਦੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਦੇ, ਓਹ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਰਾਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਚੱਲਦੇ ਹਨ । 4 ਤੂੰ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਫਰਮਾਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਹੁਕਮ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਕਿ ਅਸੀਂ ਮਨ ਲਾ ਕੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕਰੀਏ । 5 ਕਾਸ਼ ਕਿ ਮੇਰੀ ਚਾਲ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਪੱਕੀ ਹੋਵੇ ! 6 ਜਦ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਹੁਕਮਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਗੌਹ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਤਦ ਮੈਂ ਲੱਜਿਆਵਾਨ ਨਾ ਹੋਵਾਂਗਾ । 7 ਜਦ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰਿਆਂ ਸੱਚਿਆਂ ਨਿਆਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਿੱਖ ਲਵਾਂਗਾ, ਮੈਂ ਸਿੱਧੇ ਮਨ ਨਾਲ ਤੇਰਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 8 ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮੂਲੋਂ ਹੀ ਤਿਆਗ ਨਾ ਦੇ !
9 ਜੁਆਨ ਕਿੱਦਾਂ ਆਪਣੀ ਚਾਲ ਨੂੰ ਸੁੱਧ ਰੱਖੇ ? ਉਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਨ ਦੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਚੌਕਸੀ ਕਰੇ । 10 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਮਨ ਨਾਲ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਭਾਲਿਆ ਹੈ, ਆਪਣੇ ਹੁਕਮਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਭਟਕਣ ਨਾ ਦੇ ! 11 ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਨ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਮਾਂ ਕਰ ਲਿਆ, ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਤੇਰਾ ਪਾਪ ਨਾ ਕਰਾਂ । 12 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੂੰ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਹੈਂ, ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਿਖਲਾ ! 13 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਬੁੱਲ੍ਹਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਤੇਰੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਨਿਆਵਾਂ ਦਾ ਨਿਰਨਾ ਕੀਤਾ । 14 ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਖੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਰਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਖੁਸ਼ ਰਿਹਾ, ਜਿਵੇਂ ਸਾਰੀ ਦੌਲਤ ਉੱਤੇ । 15 ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਫਰਮਾਨਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੀਨ ਹੋਵਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਮਾਰਗਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਗੌਹ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 16 ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਗਨ ਰਹਾਂਗਾ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਨ ਨੂੰ ਨਹੀਂ ਵਿਸਰਾਂਗਾ ।
17 ਆਪਣੇ ਸੇਵਕ ਉੱਤੇ ਉਪਕਾਰ ਕਰ ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਜਿਉਂਦਾ ਰਹਾਂ, ਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਨ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕਰਾਂ । 18 ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਖੋਲ੍ਹ, ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਦੀਆਂ ਅਚਰਜ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੇਖਾਂ ! 19 ਮੈਂ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਪਰਦੇਸੀ ਹਾਂ, ਆਪਣੇ ਹੁਕਮ ਮੈਥੋਂ ਗੁਪਤ ਨਾ ਰੱਖ । 20 ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਹਰ ਵੇਲੇ ਤੇਰਿਆਂ ਨਿਆਵਾਂ ਦੀ ਤਾਂਘ ਵਿੱਚ ਟੁੱਟਦੀ ਹੈ । 21 ਮੈਂ ਸਰਾਪੀ ਹੰਕਾਰੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਵਰਜਿਆ ਹੈ, ਜਿਹੜੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਹੁਕਮਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਭੁੱਲੇ ਫਿਰਦੇ ਹਨ । 22 ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੋਂ ਨਿੰਦਿਆ ਤੇ ਨਫ਼ਰਤ ਦੁਰ ਕਰ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਖੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਸੰਭਾਲਿਆ ਹੈ ! 23 ਸਰਦਾਰਾਂ ਨੇ ਵੀ ਬਹਿ ਕੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਕੀਤੀਆਂ ਹਨ, ਪਰ ਤੇਰਾ ਸੇਵਕ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੀਨ ਰਹੇਗਾ । 24 ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਖੀਆਂ ਵੀ ਮੇਰੀ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਸਲਾਹਕਾਰ ਹਨ ।
25 ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਖਾਕ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਲ ਗਈ ਹੈ, ਆਪਣੇ ਬਚਨ ਦੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਜੀਵਾਲ ! 26 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੀ ਚਾਲ ਨੂੰ ਪਰਗਟ ਕੀਤਾ ਅਤੇ ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਆਪਣੀਆ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਿਖਲਾ ! 27 ਆਪਣੇ ਫਰਮਾਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਰਾਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਮਝਾ, ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਅਚਰਜ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਧਿਆਨ ਲਾਵਾਂਗਾ । 28 ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਉਦਾਸੀ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਢਲ ਗਈ ਹੈ, ਆਪਣੇ ਬਚਨ ਦੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਦ੍ਰਿੜ ਕਰ ! 29 ਝੂਠ ਦਾ ਰਾਹ ਮੈਥੋਂ ਦੂਰ ਕਰ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਦਯਾ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਖਸ਼ ਦੇ ! 30 ਮੈਂ ਵਫ਼ਾਦਾਰੀ ਦਾ ਰਾਹ ਚੁਣ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰਿਆਂ ਨਿਆਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਨਮੁੱਖ ਰੱਖਿਆ । 31 ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਖੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਫੜ ਛੱਡਿਆ ਹੈ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਲੱਜਿਆਵਾਨ ਨਾ ਕਰ ! 32 ਜਦ ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਨੂੰ ਵਧਾਵੇਂਗਾ, ਤਦ ਮੈ ਤੇਰੇ ਹੁਕਮਾਂ ਦੇ ਮਾਰਗ ਉੱਤੇ ਦੌੜਿਆ ਜਾਂਵਾਂਗਾ !
33 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ,ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਰਾਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਿਖਲਾ, ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਅੰਤ ਤੱਕ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਸੰਭਾਲੀ ਰੱਖਾਂਗਾ । 34 ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਮਝ ਦੇ ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਨੂੰ ਸਾਭਾਂਗਾ, ਸਗੋਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਮਨ ਨਾਲ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 35 ਮੈਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਹੁਕਮਾਂ ਦੇ ਮਾਰਗ ਦੀ ਅਗਵਾਈ ਕਰ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੈਂ ਮਗਨ ਹਾਂ ! 36 ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਸਾਖੀਆਂ ਵੱਲ ਮੇਰਾ ਦਿਲ ਮੋੜ, ਨਾ ਕਿ ਲੋਭ ਵੱਲ, 37 ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਅਰਥ ਵੇਖਣ ਤੋਂ ਮੋੜ ਦੇ, ਆਪਣੇ ਰਾਹਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਜਿਵਾਲ ! 38 ਆਪਣੇ ਬਚਨ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਸੇਵਕ ਲਈ ਕਾਇਮ ਰੱਖ, ਜਿਹੜਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਭੈ ਮੰਨਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਹੈ । 39 ਮੇਰੀ ਨਿੰਦਿਆ ਨੂੰ ਜਿਸ ਤੋਂ ਮੈਂ ਡਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਮੈਥੋਂ ਲੰਘਾ ਦੇ, ਤੇਰੇ ਨਿਆਂ ਭਲੇ ਹਨ ! 40 ਵੇਖ, ਤੇਰੇ ਫ਼ਰਮਾਨਾਂ ਲਈ ਲੋਚਿਆ ਹੈ, ਆਪਣੇ ਧਰਮ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਜਿਵਾਲ !
41 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੇਰੀ ਦਯਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਆਵੇ, ਤੇਰਾ ਬਚਾਓ ਵੀ ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਨ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ! 42 ਤਾਂ ਮੈ ਆਪਣੀ ਨਿੰਦਿਆ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦਿਆਂਗਾ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਨ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹਾਂ, 43 ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਮੂੰਹੋਂ ਸਚਿਆਈ ਦਾ ਬਚਨ ਮੂਲੋਂ ਹੀ ਖੋਹ ਨਾ ਲੈ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਿਆਵਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਆਸ ਹੈ, 44 ਤਾਂ ਮੈ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਦੀ ਹਰ ਵੇਲੇ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, 45 ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਖੁਲਮਖੁਲਾ ਚੱਲਦਾ ਫਿਰਾਂਗਾ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਫ਼ਰਮਾਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਤਾਲਿਬ ਰਿਹਾ । 46 ਮੈਂ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਸਨਮੁੱਖ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਖੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਚਰਚਾ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਲੱਜਿਆਵਾਨ ਨਾ ਹੋਵਾਂਗਾ । 47 ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਹੁਕਮਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਅੱਤ ਖੁਸ਼ ਹੋਵਾਂਗਾ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਂ ਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਲਾਈ ਹੈ । 48 ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਹੁਕਮਾਂ ਵੱਲ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਂ ਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਲਾਈ ਹੈ ਆਪਣੇ ਹੱਥ ਅੱਡਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੀਨ ਹੋਵਾਂਗਾ ।
49 ਆਪਣੇ ਸੇਵਕ ਲਈ ਉਹ ਬਚਨ ਚੇਤੇ ਕਰ,ਜਿਹ ਦੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਆਸ ਦੁਆਈ ਹੈ ! 50 ਏਹੀ ਮੇਰੇ ਦੁੱਖ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੇਰੀ ਤੱਸਲੀ ਹੈ, ਕਿ ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਨ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਜਿਵਾਲਿਆ ਹੈ । 51 ਹੰਕਾਰੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਠੱਠੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਹੁਤ ਉਡਾਇਆ ਹੈ, ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਤੋਂ ਬੇਮੁਖ ਨਾ ਹੋਇਆ । 52 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਪਰਾਚੀਨ ਨਿਆਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਚੇਤੇ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਦਿਲਾਸਾ ਮਿਲਿਆ । 53 ਮੇਰਾ ਗੁੱਸਾ ਭਖ ਉੱਠਿਆ ਹੈ, ਕਿ ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਨੂੰ ਤਿਆਗ ਦਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ । 54 ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਮੁਸਾਫ਼ਰੀ ਦੇ ਘਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੇਰੇ ਭਜਨ ਸਨ । 55 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ,ਮੈਂ ਰਾਤੀਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਨੂੰ ਚੇਤੇ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕੀਤੀ 56 ਇਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਇਸ ਲਈ ਹੋਇਆ, ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਫ਼ਰਮਾਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸੰਭਾਲਿਆ ਹੈ ।
57 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੇਰਾ ਭਾਗ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਆਖਿਆ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰਿਆਂ ਬਚਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 58 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਦਿਲ ਨਾਲ ਤੇਰੇ ਦਰਸ਼ਣ ਲਈ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੈ, ਆਪਣੇ ਬਚਨ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰ । 59 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਚਾਲ-ਚਲਣ ਨੂੰ ਸੋਚਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਪੈਰ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਖੀਆਂ ਵੱਲ ਫੇਰੇ ਹਨ । 60 ਮੈਂ ਛੇਤੀ ਕੀਤੀ ਅਤੇ ਢਿੱਲ ਨਾ ਲਾਈ, ਕਿ ਤੇਰੇ ਹੁਕਮਾਂ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕਰਾਂ । 61 ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਦੇ ਬੰਨਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਵਲ ਲਿਆ, ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਨੂੰ ਨਹੀ ਵਿਸਾਰਿਆ । 62 ਤੇਰੇ ਧਰਮ ਦਿਆਂ ਨਿਆਵਾਂ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ, ਅੱਧੀ ਰਾਤ ਨੂੰ ਮੈਂ ਉੱਠ ਕੇ ਤੇਰਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 63 ਮੈਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਸਾਥੀ ਹਾਂ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਤੇਰਾ ਭੈ ਰੱਖਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਫ਼ਰਮਾਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ । 64 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ,ਧਰਤੀ ਤੇਰੀ ਦਯਾ ਨਾਲ ਭਰੀ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ,ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਿਖਲਾ !
65 ਆਪਣੇ ਸੇਵਕ ਨਾਲ ਤੂੰ ਭਲਿਆਈ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੈ,ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਆਪਣੇ ਬਚਨ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ 66 ਮੈਨੂੰ ਚੰਗਾ ਬਿਬੇਕ ਤੇ ਗਿਆਨ ਸਿਖਲਾ,ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਹੁਕਮਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਨਿਹਚਾ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੈ । 67 ਮੇਰੇ ਦੁਖੀ ਹੋਣ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਭੁੱਲਿਆ ਫਿਰਦਾ ਸੀ,ਪਰ ਹੁਣ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਨ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 68 ਤੂੰ ਭਲਾ ਹੈਂ ਅਤੇ ਭਲਿਆਈ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈਂ,ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਿਖਲਾ । 69 ਹੰਕਾਰੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਝੂਠ ਥੱਪ ਛੱਡਿਆ ਹੈ,ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਮਨ ਨਾਲ ਤੇਰੇ ਫ਼ਰਮਾਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੰਨਾਗਾ । 70 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਮਨ ਚਰਬੀ ਵਰਗਾ ਮੋਟਾ ਹੈ,ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਖੁਸ਼ ਹਾਂ । 71 ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਭਲਾ ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਦੁਖੀ ਹੋਇਆ,ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ । 72 ਤੇਰੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਦੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਸੋਨੇ ਤੇ ਚਾਂਦੀ ਦੇ ਹਜ਼ਾਰਾਂ ਸਿੱਕਿਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਚੰਗੀ ਹੈ !
73 ਤੇਰੇ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਣਾਇਆ ਤੇ ਰਚਿਆ ਹੈ,ਮੈਨੂੰ ਗਿਆਨ ਦੇ ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਹੁਕਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ । 74 ਜਿਹੜੇ ਤੇਰਾ ਭੈ ਮੰਨਦੇ ਹਨ ਉਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਵੇਖ ਕੇ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਣਗੇ,ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਨ ਉੱਤੇ ਆਸਾ ਰੱਖੀ ਹੈ । 75 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਂ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਕਿ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਿਆਂ ਧਰਮ ਦੇ ਹਨ, ਸੋ ਤੂੰ ਵਫ਼ਾਦਾਰੀ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਦੁੱਖ ਦਿੱਤਾ । 76 ਤੇਰੀ ਦਯਾ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸ਼ਾਂਤ ਦੇਵੇ, ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਨ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਸੇਵਕ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਿਆ । 77 ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਦਿਆਲਗੀਆਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮਿਲ ਜਾਣ ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਜੀਂਉਦਾ ਰਹਾਂ,ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੇਰੀ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ ! 78 ਹੰਕਾਰੀ ਸ਼ਰਮਿੰਦੇ ਹੋਣ ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਝੂਠ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਡੇਗ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ,ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਫ਼ਰਮਾਨਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੀਨ ਰਹਾਂਗਾ । 79 ਤੇਰੇ ਭੈ ਮੰਨਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਵੱਲ ਫਿਰਨ,ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਜੋ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਖੀਆਂ ਜਾਣਦੇ ਹਨ । 80 ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੰਪੂਰਨ ਹੋਵੇ,ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਲੱਜਿਆਵਾਨ ਨਾ ਹੋਵਾਂ !
81 ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਤੇਰੀ ਮੁਕਤੀ ਲਈ ਖੁੱਸਦੀ ਹੈ,ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਨ ਦੀ ਉਡੀਕ ਵਿੱਚ ਹਾਂ । 82 ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਨ ਲਈ ਪੱਕ ਗਈਆਂ, ਮੈਂ ਆਖਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਕਦ ਸ਼ਾਂਤੀ ਦੇਵੇਂਗਾ ? 83 ਮੈਂ ਤਾਂ ਧੂੰਏਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਦੀ ਮਸ਼ਕ ਵਾਙੁ ਹੋਇਆ,ਤਾਂ ਵੀ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੈਂ ਨਾ ਭੁੱਲਿਆ । 84 ਤੇਰੇ ਸੇਵਕ ਦੇ ਦਿਨ ਕਿੰਨੇ ਕੁ ਹਨ ? ਤੂੰ ਕਦੋਂ ਮੇਰਾ ਪਿੱਛਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਨਿਆਂ ਕਰੇਂਗਾ ? 85 ਜਿਹੜੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਦੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਚੱਲਦੇ,ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਹੰਕਾਰੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਟੋਏ ਪੁੱਟੇ । 86 ਤੇਰੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਹੁਕਮ ਸੱਚੇ ਹਨ,ਉਹ ਝੂਠ ਨਾਲ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਿੱਛੇ ਪਏ ਹੋਏ ਹਨ,ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਕਰ ! 87 ਉਹ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੋ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮਿਟਾ ਦੇਣ ਨੂੰ ਸਨ,ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਫ਼ਰਮਾਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਨਾ ਤਿਆਗਿਆ । 88 ਆਪਣੀ ਦਯਾ ਦੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਜੀਂਉਦਾ ਰੱਖ,ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਦੀ ਸਾਖੀ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ ।
89 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ,ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਤੇਰਾ ਬਚਨ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਉੱਤੇ ਇਸਥਿਰ ਹੈ ! 90 ਤੇਰੀ ਵਫ਼ਾਦਾਰੀ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀਓਂ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਹੈ,ਤੂੰ ਧਰਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਕਾਇਮ ਕੀਤਾ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਬਣੀ ਰਹਿੰਦੀ ਹੈ । 91 ਉਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਿਆਵਾਂ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਅੱਜ ਤੱਕ ਖੜੇ ਹਨ,ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਸੱਭੋ ਤੇਰੇ ਸੇਵਕ ਹਨ । 92 ਜੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਮੇਰੀ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਨਾ ਹੁੰਦੀ,ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਦੁੱਖ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਾਸ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦਾ । 93 ਤੇਰੇ ਫ਼ਰਮਾਨ ਮੈਂ ਕਦੇ ਨਾ ਭੁੱਲਾਂਗਾ,ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਜਿਉਂਦਿਆ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ । 94 ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰਾ ਹੀ ਹਾਂ,ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਚਾ,ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਫ਼ਰਮਾਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਤਾਲਿਬ ਰਿਹਾ ! 95 ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਮੇਰੇ ਨਾਸ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਘਾਤ ਵਿੱਚ ਬੈਠੇ ਸਨ,ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਖੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 96 ਸਾਰੇ ਕਮਾਲ ਦਾ ਅੰਤ ਮੈਂ ਵੇਖਿਆ,ਪਰ ਤੇਰਾ ਹੁਕਮਨਾਮਾ ਬਹੁਤ ਲੰਮਾ ਚੌੜਾ ਹੈ ।
97 ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਨਾਲ ਕਿੰਨੀ ਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹਾਂ,ਦਿਨ ਭਰ ਮੈਂ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੀਨ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ ! 98 ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਹੁਕਮਨਾਮੇ ਤੋਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਬੁੱਧਵਾਨ ਬਣਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈਂ,ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਹ ਸਦਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਹੈ । 99 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਗੁਰੂਆਂ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਵੱਧ ਗਿਆਨ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹਾਂ,ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਖੀਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੈਂ ਲੀਨ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 100 ਬਜ਼ੁਰਗਾਂ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਮੈਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਜਾਚਦਾ ਹਾਂ,ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੇਰੇ ਫ਼ਰਮਾਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੈਂ ਸਾਂਭਿਆ । 101 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਪੈਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਹਰ ਬੁਰੇ ਮਾਰਗ ਤੋਂ ਰੋਕ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ,ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਨ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕਰਾਂ । 102 ਤੇਰਿਆਂ ਨਿਆਵਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਮੈਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਹਟਿਆ,ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਿੱਖਿਆ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਹੈ । 103 ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਤਾਲੂ ਨੂੰ ਕੇਡੇ ਮਿੱਠੇ ਲੱਗਦੇ ਹਨ, ਸ਼ਹਿਤ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਵੀ ਮੇਰੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੱਧ ਮਿੱਠੇ ! 104 ਤੇਰੇ ਫ਼ਰਮਾਨਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਮਝ ਮਿਲਦੀ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ ਮੈਂ ਹਰ ਝੂਠੇ ਮਾਰਗ ਤੋਂ ਵੈਰ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹਾਂ ।
105 ਤੇਰਾ ਬਚਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਪੈਰਾਂ ਲਈ ਦੀਪਕ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਰਾਹ ਦਾ ਚਾਨਣ ਹੈ । 106 ਮੈਂ ਸਹੁੰ ਖਾਧੀ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਪੱਕਾ ਵੀ ਕੀਤਾ, ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਧਰਮ ਦੇ ਨਿਆਵਾਂ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 107 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ,ਮੈਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਹੀ ਦੁਖੀ ਹੋਇਆ ਹਾਂ, ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਬਚਨ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਜਿਉਂਦਾ ਰੱਖ ! 108 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੇਰੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਭੇਟਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਕੇ ਕਬੂਲ ਕਰ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਨਿਆਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਿਖਲਾ । 109 ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਹਰ ਵੇਲੇ ਤਲੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਹੈ, ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਨੂੰ ਨਹੀਂ ਭੁੱਲਦਾ ! 110 ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਇੱਕ ਫਾਹੀ ਲਾਈ ਹੈ, ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਫ਼ਰਮਾਨਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਆਵਾਰਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋਇਆ । 111 ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਖੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਦਾ ਲਈ ਮਿਰਾਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਦੀ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਹਨ । 112 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਨ ਨੂੰ ਇਸ ਗੱਲ ਵੱਲ ਲਾਇਆ ਹੈ, ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਅੰਤ ਤੱਕ ਸਦਾ ਹੀ ਪੂਰਾ ਕਰਾ ।
113 ਮੈਂ ਦੁਚਿੱਤਿਆ ਨਾਲ ਖੁਣਸ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ,ਪਰ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਨਾਲ ਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 114 ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੀ ਪਨਾਹਗਾਹ ਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਢਾਲ ਹੈਂ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਨ ਦੀ ਆਸਾ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 115 ਹੇ ਬਦਕਾਰੋ, ਮੇਰੇ ਕੋਲੋਂ ਦੂਰ ਹੋਵੋ, ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੇ ਹੁਕਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੰਨਾਂ ! 116 ਆਪਣੇ ਬਚਨ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਥਮ ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਜਿਉਂਦਾ ਰਹਾਂ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਤਾਂਘ ਤੋਂ ਸ਼ਰਮਿੰਦਾ ਨਾ ਹੋਵਾਂ ! 117 ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਾਂਭ ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਬਚ ਜਾਂਵਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਤੇ ਸਦਾ ਗੌਹ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 118 ਜਿਹੜੇ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਬੇਮੁਖ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤੂੰ ਸੁੱਟ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਚਲਾਕੀ ਫ਼ਰੇਬ ਹੈ । 119 ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਖੋਟ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਦੂਰ ਸੁੱਟਦਾ ਹੈਂ,ਤਾਂ ਹੀ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਖੀਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 120 ਤੇਰੇ ਭੈ ਦੇ ਮਾਰੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਰੀਰ ਕੰਬਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਿਆਵਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਡਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ ।
121 ਮੈਂ ਨਿਆਂ ਤੇ ਧਰਮ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ, ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਦਬਾਉਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਕੋਲ ਨਾ ਛੱਡ ! 122 ਭਲਿਆਈ ਲਈ ਆਪਣੇ ਸੇਵਕ ਦਾ ਜਾਮਨ ਬਣ, ਹੰਕਾਰੀ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਨਾ ਦਬਾਉਣ ! 123 ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਾਓ ਲਈ ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਸੱਚੇ ਬਚਨ ਲਈ ਪੱਕ ਗਈਆਂ । 124 ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਸੇਵਕ ਨਾਲ ਆਪਣੀ ਦਯਾ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਵਰਤ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਿਖਲਾ । 125 ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰਾ ਸੇਵਕ ਹਾਂ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਮਝ ਬਖਸ਼, ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਖੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਣਾਂ । 126 ਏਹ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਕੰਮ ਦਾ ਵੇਲਾ ਹੈ, — ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਨੂੰ ਅਕਾਰਥ ਬਣਾਇਆ ! 127 ਇਸ ਲਈ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਹੁਕਮਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਸੋਨੇ, ਸਗੋਂ ਕੁੰਦਨ ਸੋਨੇ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਵੱਧ ਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹਾਂ ! 128 ਇਸ ਲਈ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਫਰਮਾਨ ਠੀਕ ਸਮਝਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਅਤੇ ਹਰ ਝੂਠੇ ਮਾਰਗ ਤੋਂ ਘਿਣ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ ।
129 ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਖੀਆਂ ਅਚਰਜ ਹਨ, ਇਸ ਲਈ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕਰਦੀ ਹੈ ! 130 ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਖੋਲ੍ਹਣਾ ਚਾਨਣ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਸਿੱਧੇ ਸਾਧੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਮਝ ਬਖਸ਼ਦਾ ਹੈ । 131 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਖੋਲ੍ਹ ਕੇ ਹੌਂਕਿਆ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਹੁਕਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਲੋਚਦਾ ਸੀ । 132 ਮੇਰੀ ਵੱਲ ਮੂੰਹ ਕਰ ਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰ, ਜਿਵੇਂ ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਪਾਲਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਸੀ । 133 ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਬਚਨ ਉੱਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਕਦਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਜਮਾਂ ਦੇ, ਕਿ ਕੋਈ ਬਦੀ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਹਕੂਮਤ ਨਾ ਕਰੇ । 134 ਆਦਮੀ ਦੇ ਦਬਾਓ ਤੋਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾ, ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਫਰਮਾਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕਰਾਂ । 135 ਆਪਣੇ ਮੁਖੜੇ ਦੀ ਚਮਕ ਆਪਣੇ ਸੇਵਕ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਖਾ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਸਿਖਲਾ । 136 ਪਾਣੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਧਾਰਾਂ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਵਗਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਓਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਦੀਆਂ ।
137 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੂੰ ਧਰਮੀ ਹੈਂ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਿਆਂ ਸਿੱਧੇ ਹਨ । 138 ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਸਾਖੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਹੁਕਮ ਧਰਮ ਤੇ ਪੂਰੀ ਵਫ਼ਾਦਾਰੀ ਨਾਲ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ । 139 ਮੇਰੀ ਗੈਰਤ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਖ਼ਤਮ ਕੀਤਾ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਨ ਭੁੱਲ ਗਏ । 140 ਤੇਰਾ ਬਚਨ ਅੱਤ ਤਾਇਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰਾ ਸੇਵਕ ਉਸ ਨਾਲ ਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਲਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ । 141 ਮੈਂ ਨਿੱਕਾ ਜਿਹਾ ਤੇ ਤੁੱਛ ਹਾਂ, ਤਾਂ ਵੀ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਫਰਮਾਨ ਨਹੀਂ ਭੁੱਲਿਆ ! 142 ਤੇਰਾ ਧਰਮ ਸਦਾ ਦਾ ਧਰਮ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਸੱਚ ਹੈ । 143 ਦੁੱਖ ਤੇ ਰੰਜ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਲੱਭਾ, ਪ੍ਰ ਤੇਰੇ ਹੁਕਮ ਮੇਰੀ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਹਨ । 144 ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਖੀਆਂ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਧਰਮ ਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਮਝ ਦੇ ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਜਿਉਂਦਾ ਰਹਾਂਗਾ ।
145 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਮਨ ਨਾਲ ਪੁਕਾਰਿਆ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦੇ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਾਂਭ ਰੱਖਾਂਗਾ ! 146 ਮੈਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰਿਆ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਚਾ ਲੈ, ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਖੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ ! 147 ਮੈਂ ਪੌਹ ਫੁੱਟਣ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਉੱਠਿਆ ਤੇ ਦੁਹਾਈ ਦਿੱਤੀ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਨ ਲਈ ਆਸਾ ਰੱਖੀ । 148 ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਰਾਤ ਦੇ ਪਹਿਰਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਅੱਗੇ ਖੁਲ੍ਹੀਆਂ ਰਹੀਆਂ, ਕਿ ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੀਨ ਹੋਵਾਂ । 149 ਆਪਣੀ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਮੇਰੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਸੁਣ ਲੈ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਆਪਣੇ ਨਿਆਂ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਜਿਉਂਦਾ ਰੱਖ ! 150 ਖੋਟ ਦਾ ਪਿੱਛਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਨੇੜੇ ਆ ਗਏ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਤੋਂ ਦੂਰ ਹਨ । 151 ਤੂੰ ਵੀ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਨੇੜੇ ਹੈਂ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਹੁਕਮ ਸੱਚੇ ਹਨ ! 152 ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਖੀਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਮੈਂ ਚਿਰੋਕਣਾ ਹੀ ਜਾਣਿਆ, ਕਿ ਤੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਦਾ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਕਾਇਮ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ ! ।
153 ਮੇਰੇ ਦੁੱਖ ਦੇ ਵੇਲੇ ਵੇਖ ਤੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਨੂੰ ਨਹੀਂ ਵਿਸਾਰਿਆ ! 154 ਮੇਰਾ ਮੁਦੱਪਾ ਲੜ ਤੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਛੁਟਕਾਰਾ ਦੇ, ਆਪਣੇ ਬਚਨ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਜਿਉਂਦਾ ਰੱਖ ! 155 ਮੁਕਤੀ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਦੂਰ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ ਕਿ ਓਹ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਨਹੀਂ ਭਾਲਦੇ । 156 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੇਰੇ ਰਹਮ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੇ ਹਨ, ਆਪਣੇ ਨਿਆਵਾਂ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਜਿਉਂਦਾ ਰੱਖ ! 157 ਮੇਰੇ ਪਿੱਛਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਬਹੁਤ ਹਨ, ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਖੀਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਮੁੜਿਆ । 158 ਮੈਂ ਚਾਲ ਬਾਜ਼ਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੇਖਿਆ ਤੇ ਘਿਣ ਕੀਤੀ, ਜਿਹੜੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਨ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਦੇ । 159 ਵੇਖ, ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਫਰਮਾਨਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਆਪਣੀ ਦਯਾ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਜਿਉਂਦਾ ਰੱਖ ! 160 ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਨ ਦਾ ਤਾਤ ਪਰਜ ਸਚਿਆਈ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਧਰਮ ਦਾ ਸਾਰਾ ਨਿਆਂ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਹੈ ।
161 ਸਰਦਾਰਾਂ ਨੇ ਧਿਗਾਣੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਪਿੱਛਾ ਕੀਤਾ, ਪਰ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨ ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਨ ਤੋਂ ਭੈ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹੈ । 162 ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਨ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਖੁਸ਼ ਹਾਂ, ਜਿਦਾਂ ਕੋਈ ਵੱਡੀ ਲੁੱਟ ਦੇ ਮਿਲਣ ਤੇ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ ! 163 ਮੈਂ ਝੂਠ ਨਾਲ ਵੈਰ ਤੇ ਘਿਣ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਪਰ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਂ ਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 164 ਤੇਰੇ ਧਰਮ ਦੇ ਨਿਆਵਾਂ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ, ਮੈਂ ਦਿਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੱਚ ਵਾਰ ਤੇਰੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 165 ਤੇਰੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰੇਮੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੱਡਾ ਚੈਨ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੋਈ ਠੋਕਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਲੱਗਦੀ । 166 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਮੁਕਤੀ ਦੀ ਉਡੀਕ ਕੀਤੀ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਹੁਕਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪੂਰਾ ਕੀਤਾ । 167 ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੇ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਖੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕੀਤੀ, ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਵੱਡੀ ਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਲਾਈ ! 168 ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਫਰਮਾਨਾਂ ਤੇ ਤੇਹੀਆਂ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਖੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕੀਤੀ, ਇਸ ਲਈ ਕਿ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਚਾਲਾਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਹਨ ।
169 ਮੇਰੀ ਪੁਕਾਰ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੇਰੇ ਹਜ਼ੂਰ ਪਹੁੰਚੇ, ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਬਚਨ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਮਝ ਦੇ ! 170 ਮੇਰੀ ਅਰਜੋਈ ਤੇਰੇ ਹਜ਼ੂਰ ਆਵੇ, ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਬਚਨ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾ ! 171 ਮੇਰੇ ਬੁੱਲ੍ਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਉਚਰਨ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਿਖਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈਂ । 172 ਮੇਰੀ ਜੀਭ ਤੇਰੇ ਬਚਨ ਦਾ ਗੀਤ ਗਾਵੇ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੇਰੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਹੁਕਮ ਧਰਮ ਦੇ ਹਨ । 173 ਤੇਰਾ ਹੱਥ ਮੇਰੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਲਈ ਤਿਆਰ ਹੋਵੇ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਫਰਮਾਨ ਚੁਣ ਲਏ ਹਨ । 174 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਮੁਕਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਲੋਚਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਮੇਰੀ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਹੈ ! 175 ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਜਿਉਂਦੀ ਰਹੇ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੇ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਿਆਂ ਮੇਰੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਕਰਨ । 176 ਮੈਂ ਗੁਆਚੀ ਹੋਈ ਭੇਡ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਭਟਕ ਗਿਆ ਹਾਂ, ਆਪਣੇ ਦਾਸ ਨੂੰ ਭਾਲ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਹੁਕਮ ਨਹੀਂ ਭੁੱਲਦਾ ਹਾਂ ।
1 ਆਪਣੀ ਬਿਪਤਾ ਦੇ ਦਿਨ ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ । 2 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਝੂਠੇ ਬੁੱਲ੍ਹਾਂ ਤੋਂ, ਅਤੇ ਛਲੇਡੀ ਜੀਭ ਤੋਂ ਛੁਡਾ ਲੈ ! 3 ਹੇ ਛਲੇਡੀਏ ਜੀਭੇ, ਤੈਨੂੰ ਕੀ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਜਾਵੇ, ਅਤੇ ਹੋਰ ਤੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਕੀ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਵੇ ? 4 ਸੂਰਮੇ ਦੇ ਤਿੱਖੇ ਬਾਣ, ਝਾੜੀ ਦੇ ਅੰਗਿਆਰੇ ਨਾਲ ! 5 ਹਾਏ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਮਸ਼ਕ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ, ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਕੇਦਾਰ ਦੇ ਡੇਰਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੱਸਦਾ ਹਾਂ ! 6 ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਮੇਲ ਦੇ ਵੈਰੀ ਨਾਲ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਮੇਂ ਤੱਕ ਵੱਸਣਾ ਪਿਆ । 7 ਮੈਂ ਮੇਲ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਪਰ ਜਦ ਮੈਂ ਬੋਲਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਉਹ ਲੜਾਈ ਚਾਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ !
1 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਪਹਾੜਾਂ ਵੱਲ ਚੁੱਕਾਂਗਾ, ਮੇਰੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਕਿੱਥੋਂ ਆਵੇਗੀ ? 2 ਮੇਰੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਹੈ, ਜੋ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਤੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਦਾ ਕਰਤਾ ਹੈ । 3 ਉਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਪੈਰ ਨੂੰ ਡੋਲਣ ਨਾ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ, ਤੇਰਾ ਰਾਖਾ ਨਾ ਉਂਘਲਾਵੇਗਾ, 4 ਵੇਖ, ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਦਾ ਰਾਖਾ ਨਾ ਉਂਘਲਾਵੇਗਾ ਨਾ ਸੌਵੇਂਗਾ ! 5 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਤੇਰਾ ਰਾਖਾ ਹੈ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਸੱਜੇ ਹੱਥ ਤੇ ਤੇਰਾ ਸਾਯਾ ਹੈ । 6 ਨਾ ਦਿਨੇ ਸੂਰਜ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਮਾਰੇਗਾ, ਨਾ ਰਾਤੀਂ ਚੰਦਰਮਾ । 7 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸਾਰੀ ਬਦੀ ਤੋਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਕਰੇਗਾ, ਉਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਦੀ ਰਾਖੀ ਕਰੇਗਾ । 8 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਅੰਦਰ-ਬਾਹਰ ਆਉਣ ਜਾਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੁਣ ਤੋਂ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਸਦੀਪਕ ਕਾਲ ਤੱਕ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਕਰੇਗਾ !
1 ਮੈਂ ਖੁਸ਼ ਹੋਇਆ ਜਦ ਓਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਆਖਣ ਲੱਗੇ, ਆਓ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਘਰ ਨੂੰ ਚੱਲੀਏ ! 2 ਹੇ ਯਰੂਸ਼ਲਮ, ਸਾਡੇ ਪੈਰ ਤੇਰੇ ਫਾਟਕਾਂ ਦੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਖੜ੍ਹੇ ਹਨ । 3 ਹੇ ਯਰੂਸ਼ਲਮ ਤੂੰ ਅਜਿਹੇ ਸ਼ਹਿਰ ਵਰਗਾ ਹੈ ਜਿਸ ਦੇ ਘਰ ਇੱਕ ਦੂਜੇ ਨਾਲ ਮਿਲੇ ਹੋਏ ਹਨ, 4 ਜਿੱਥੇ ਗੋਤ, ਹਾਂ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਗੋਤ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਦੀ ਸਾਖੀ ਦੇਣ ਲਈ ਚੜ੍ਹ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਓਹ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਨ । 5 ਉੱਥੇ ਤਾਂ ਨਿਆਂ ਲਈ ਸਿੰਘਾਸਣ, ਦਾਊਦ ਦੇ ਘਰਾਣੇ ਦੇ ਸਿੰਘਾਸਣ ਰੱਖੇ ਹੋਏ ਹਨ । 6 ਯਰੂਸ਼ਲਮ ਦੀ ਸਲਾਮਤੀ ਮੰਗੋ, ਤੇਰੇ ਪ੍ਰੇਮੀ ਨਿਹਾਲ ਹੋਣਗੇ । 7 ਤੇਰੀ ਸ਼ਹਿਰਪਨਾਹ ਦੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਸਲਾਮਤੀ ਹੋਵੇ, ਤੇਰੇ ਮਹਿਲਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਖੁਸ਼ਹਾਲੀ ਨਿਹਾਲਤਾ ! 8 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਭਰਾਵਾਂ ਤੇ ਗੁਆਂਢੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਆਖਾਂਗਾ, ਤੇਰੀ ਸਲਾਮਤੀ ਹੋਵੇ ! 9 ਸਾਡੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਘਰ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਭਲਿਆਈ ਦਾ ਖੋਜੀ ਹੋਵਾਂਗਾ ।
1 ਹੇ ਸਵਰਗ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਿਰਾਜਮਾਨ, ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਵੱਲ ਚੁੱਕਦਾ ਹਾਂ ! 2 ਵੇਖ, ਜਿਵੇਂ ਦਾਸਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਾਲਕਾਂ ਦੇ ਹੱਥ ਵੱਲ, ਅਤੇ ਦਾਸੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਆਪਣੀ ਮਾਲਕਿਨ ਦੇ ਹੱਥ ਵੱਲ ਲੱਗੀਆਂ ਰਹਿੰਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ, ਤਿਵੇਂ ਸਾਡੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਸਾਡੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਵੱਲ ਲੱਗੀਆਂ ਰਹਿਣਗੀਆਂ, ਜਦ ਤੱਕ ਉਹ ਸਾਡੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਤਰਸ ਨਾ ਖਾਵੇ । 3 ਸਾਡੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਤਰਸ ਖਾ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਸਾਡੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਤਰਸ ਖਾ, ਅਸੀਂ ਤਾਂ ਨਿਰਾਦਰੀ ਨਾਲ ਬਹੁਤ ਹੀ ਭਰ ਗਏ ਹਾਂ ! 4 ਸਾਡੀ ਜਾਨ ਸੁਖੀ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦੇ ਠੱਠਿਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਅਤੇ ਹੰਕਾਰੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਨਿਰਾਦਰੀ ਤੋਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਰੱਜ ਗਈ ਹੈ ।
1 ਜੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸਾਡੀ ਵੱਲ ਨਾ ਹੁੰਦਾ, ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਇਹ ਆਖੇ, 2 ਜੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉਸ ਵੇਲੇ ਸਾਡੇ ਵੱਲ ਨਾ ਹੁੰਦਾ, ਜਦ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਸਾਡੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਉੱਠੇ, 3 ਤਾਂ ਓਹ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਜਿਉਂਦਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਨਿਗਲ ਲੈਂਦੇ, ਜਦੋਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਸਾਡੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਭੜਕ ਉੱਠਿਆ, 4 ਤਾਂ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਪਾਣੀ ਰੋੜ੍ਹ ਲੈ ਜਾਂਦੇ, ਅਤੇ ਨਾਲਾ ਸਾਡੀ ਜਾਨ ਦੇ ਉੱਤੋਂ ਦੀ ਵਗ ਜਾਂਦਾ, 5 ਤਾਂ ਠਾਠਾਂ ਮਾਰਦਾ ਪਾਣੀ ਸਾਡੀ ਜਾਨ ਦੇ ਉੱਤੋਂ ਦੀ ਲੰਘ ਜਾਂਦਾ ! 6 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਹੋਵੇ, ਜਿਸ ਨੇ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਦੰਦਾਂ ਦਾ ਸ਼ਿਕਾਰ ਨਾ ਹੋਣ ਦਿੱਤਾ ! 7 ਸਾਡੀ ਜਾਨ ਚਿੜੀ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਚਿੜੀਮਾਰ ਦੀ ਫਾਹੀ ਤੋਂ ਛੁਡਾਈ ਗਈ, ਫਾਹੀ ਟੁੱਟੀ, ਸਾਡੀ ਜਾਨ ਛੁੱਟੀ । 8 ਸਾਡੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ, ਜਿਹੜਾ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਅਤੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਦਾ ਕਰਤਾ ਹੈ ।
1 ਜਿਹੜੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਹ ਸੀਯੋਨ ਦੇ ਪਹਾੜ ਵਰਗੇ ਹਨ, ਜੋ ਕਦੇ ਡੋਲਦਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਸਗੋਂ ਸਦਾ ਲਈ ਅਟੱਲ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ ! 2 ਜਿਵੇਂ ਪਹਾੜ ਯਰੂਸ਼ਲਮ ਦੇ ਆਲੇ-ਦੁਆਲੇ ਹਨ, ਤਿਵੇਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਦੇ ਆਲੇ-ਦੁਆਲੇ ਹੈ, ਹੁਣ ਤੋਂ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਸਦੀਪਕ ਕਾਲ ਤੱਕ ਹੈ । 3 ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਦਾ ਰਾਜ-ਡੰਡ ਧਰਮੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਬਣਿਆ ਨਾ ਰਹੇਗਾ, ਅਜਿਹਾ ਨਾ ਹੋਵੇ ਕਿ ਧਰਮੀ ਆਪਣੇ ਹੱਥ ਬਦੀ ਵੱਲ ਵਧਾਉਣ । 4 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਭਲਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਭਲਿਆਈ ਕਰ, ਅਤੇ ਸਿੱਧੇ ਮਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਵੀ । 5 ਪਰ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਪੁੱਠੇ ਰਾਹਾਂ ਵੱਲ ਭਟਕ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੁਕਰਮੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਚਲਾਵੇਗਾ ! ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਉੱਤੇ ਸਲਾਮਤੀ ਹੋਵੇ ।
1 ਜਦ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸੀਯੋਨ ਦੇ ਗ਼ੁਲਾਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੋੜ ਲੈ ਆਇਆ, ਤਦ ਅਸੀਂ ਸੁਫ਼ਨੇ ਵੇਖਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਵਰਗੇ ਸੀ ! 2 ਤਦ ਸਾਡੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਹਾਸੇ ਨਾਲ ਭਰ ਗਏ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਡੀਆਂ ਜੀਭਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਜੈਕਾਰਾ ਸੀ, ਤਦ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਇਹ ਆਖਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਸੀ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਲਈ ਵੱਡੇ-ਵੱਡੇ ਕੰਮ ਕੀਤੇ ਹਨ ! 3 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੇ ਸਾਡੇ ਲਈ ਵੱਡੇ-ਵੱਡੇ ਕੰਮ ਕੀਤੇ ਹਨ, ਅਸੀਂ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਏ ਹਾਂ ! 4 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਸਾਡੇ ਗ਼ੁਲਾਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ, ਦੱਖਣ ਦੀਆਂ ਨਦੀਆਂ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਮੋੜ ਲਿਆ ! 5 ਜਿਹੜੇ ਹੰਝੂਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਬੀਜਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਹ ਜੈਕਾਰਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਵੱਢਣਗੇ । 6 ਜਿਹੜਾ ਬੀਜਣ ਲਈ ਬੀਜ ਚੁੱਕ ਕੇ ਰੋਂਦਾ ਹੋਇਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਜ਼ਰੂਰ ਜੈਕਾਰਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਭਰੀਆਂ ਚੁੱਕ ਕੇ ਆਵੇਗਾ !
1 ਜੇਕਰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਹੀ ਘਰ ਨਾ ਬਣਾਵੇ, ਤਾਂ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਬਣਾਉਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਦੀ ਮਿਹਨਤ ਵਿਅਰਥ ਹੈ । ਜੇਕਰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਹੀ ਸ਼ਹਿਰ ਦੀ ਰਾਖੀ ਨਾ ਕਰੇ, ਤਾਂ ਰਾਖੇ ਦਾ ਜਾਗਣਾ ਵਿਅਰਥ ਹੈ । 2 ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਸਵੇਰ ਦਾ ਉੱਠਣਾ ਅਤੇ ਦੇਰ ਤੱਕ ਬੈਠੇ ਰਹਿਣਾ, ਅਤੇ ਦੁੱਖਾਂ ਦੀ ਰੋਟੀ ਖਾਣੀ ਵਿਅਰਥ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਤਾਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਿਆਰਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਨੀਂਦ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ । 3 ਵੇਖੋ, ਬੱਚੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਮਿਰਾਸ ਹਨ, ਗਰਭ ਦਾ ਫਲ ਇੱਕ ਇਨਾਮ ਹੈ, 4 ਜਿਵੇਂ ਸੂਰਮੇ ਦੇ ਹੱਥ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਾਣ, ਤਿਵੇਂ ਜਵਾਨੀ ਦੇ ਪੁੱਤਰ ਹਨ, 5 ਧੰਨ ਹੈ ਉਹ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਜਿਸ ਦਾ ਤਰਕਸ਼ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਭਰਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ ! ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਫਾਟਕ ਵਿੱਚ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਸ਼ਰਮਿੰਦੇ ਨਾ ਹੋਣਗੇ !
1 ਧੰਨ ਹੈ ਹਰੇਕ ਜੋ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਭੈ ਮੰਨਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਰਾਹਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਚੱਲਦਾ ਹੈ ! 2 ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਦੀ ਕਮਾਈ ਜ਼ਰੂਰ ਖਾਵੇਂਗਾ, ਤੂੰ ਧੰਨ ਹੋਵੇਂਗਾ ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰਾ ਭਲਾ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ । 3 ਤੇਰੀ ਵਹੁਟੀ ਫਲਦਾਰ ਦਾਖ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਤੇਰੇ ਘਰ ਦੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ, ਤੇਰੇ ਬੱਚੇ ਜੈਤੂਨ ਦੇ ਬੂਟਿਆਂ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਤੇਰੀ ਮੇਜ਼ ਦੇ ਆਲੇ-ਦੁਆਲੇ ਹੋਣਗੇ । 4 ਵੇਖੋ, ਉਹ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ, ਜਿਹੜਾ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਭੈ ਮੰਨਦਾ ਹੈ । 5 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸੀਯੋਨ ਤੋਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਬਰਕਤ ਦੇਵੇ, ਅਤੇ ਤੂੰ ਜੀਵਨ ਭਰ ਯਰੂਸ਼ਲਮ ਦੀ ਭਲਿਆਈ ਵੇਖੇਂ, 6 ਸਗੋਂ ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਦੋਹਤ੍ਰੇ-ਪੋਤ੍ਰੇ ਵੇਖੇਂ ! ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਉੱਤੇ ਸਲਾਮਤੀ ਹੋਵੇ ।
1 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਵਾਨੀ ਤੋਂ ਬਹੁਤਾ ਦੁੱਖ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਇਹ ਆਖੇ, 2 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਵਾਨੀ ਤੋਂ ਬਹੁਤਾ ਦੁੱਖ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਪਰ ਉਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਪਰਬਲ ਨਾ ਹੋ ਸਕੇ ! 3 ਹਾਲੀ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਪਿੱਠ ਉੱਤੇ ਹਲ ਵਾਹਿਆ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਲੰਮੇ-ਲੰਮੇ ਸਿਆੜ ਕੱਢੇ ! 4 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਧਰਮੀ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਨੇ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਦਿਆਂ ਰੱਸਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੱਟ ਸੁੱਟਿਆ । 5 ਜਿੰਨੇ ਸੀਯੋਨ ਨਾਲ ਵੈਰ ਰੱਖਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਹ ਸ਼ਰਮਿੰਦੇ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਪਛਾੜੇ ਜਾਣ ! 6 ਉਹ ਛੱਤਾਂ ਦੇ ਘਾਹ ਵਰਗੇ ਹੋਣ, ਜਿਹੜਾ ਵਧਣ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਹੀ ਸੁੱਕ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, 7 ਜਿਸ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਵਾਢਾ ਆਪਣੀ ਮੁੱਠ ਨਹੀਂ ਭਰਦਾ, ਨਾ ਪੂਲੇ ਬੰਨ੍ਹਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਆਪਣਾ ਪੱਲਾ, 8 ਅਤੇ ਲੰਘਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਆਖਦੇ, "ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਬਰਕਤ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਹੋਵੇ, ਅਸੀਂ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਤੋਂ ਬਰਕਤ ਦਿੰਦੇ ਹਾਂ ।"
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਡੂੰਘਿਆਈ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਮੈਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰਿਆ ਹੈ, 2 ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਮੇਰੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਨੂੰ ਸੁਣ, ਤੇਰੇ ਕੰਨ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਬੇਨਤੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਉੱਤੇ ਲੱਗੇ ਰਹਿਣ ! 3 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਜੇ ਤੂੰ ਬਦੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਲੇਖਾ ਕਰਦਾ, ਤਾਂ ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਕੌਣ ਖੜ੍ਹਾ ਰਹਿ ਸਕਦਾ ? 4 ਪਰ ਤੂੰ ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈਂ, ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਤੇਰਾ ਭੈ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਜਾਵੇ । 5 ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਉਡੀਕਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਵੀ ਉਡੀਕਦੀ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਬਚਨ ਉੱਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਆਸ ਹੈ । 6 ਜਿੰਨਾ ਪਹਿਰੇਦਾਰ ਸਵੇਰ ਨੂੰ, ਹਾਂ, ਜਿੰਨਾ ਪਹਿਰੇਦਾਰ ਸਵੇਰ ਨੂੰ ਉਡੀਕਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਧ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਨੂੰ ਉਡੀਕਦੀ ਹੈ । 7 ਹੇ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਆਸ ਰੱਖ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਕੋਲ ਦਯਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਕੋਲ ਛੁਟਕਾਰਾ ਕਾਫ਼ੀ ਹੈ, 8 ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਨੂੰ ਉਸ ਦੀਆਂ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਬਦੀਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਛੁਟਕਾਰਾ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ ।
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੇਰਾ ਦਿਲ ਹੰਕਾਰੀ ਨਹੀਂ, ਨਾ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਘਮੰਡ ਨਾਲ ਭਰੀਆਂ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਜਿਹੜੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਵੱਡੀਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਅਚਰਜ ਸਨ, ਮੈਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਦਖ਼ਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਦਿੰਦਾ । 2 ਨਿਸੰਗ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਸ਼ਾਂਤ ਅਤੇ ਚੁੱਪ ਕਰਾ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ, ਜਿਵੇਂ ਦੁੱਧ ਛੁਡਾਇਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਬਾਲਕ ਆਪਣੀ ਮਾਂ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਹੈ, ਹਾਂ, ਤਿਵੇਂ ਹੀ ਦੁੱਧ ਛੁਡਾਏ ਹੋਏ ਬਾਲਕ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਹੈ । 3 ਹੇ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉੱਤੇ ਆਸ ਰੱਖ, ਹੁਣ ਤੋਂ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਸਦੀਪਕ ਕਾਲ ਤੱਕ !
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਦਾਊਦ ਲਈ ਚੇਤੇ ਰੱਖ, ਉਹ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਦੁੱਖ , 2 ਜਿਸ ਨੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਸਹੁੰ ਖਾਧੀ, ਅਤੇ ਯਾਕੂਬ ਦੇ ਕਾਦਰ ਲਈ ਸੁੱਖਣਾ ਸੁੱਖੀ, 3 ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਜ਼ਰੂਰ ਆਪਣੇ ਘਰੇਲੂ ਤੰਬੂ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਾ ਜਾਂਵਾਂਗਾ, ਨਾ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਲੰਘ ਦੇ ਵਿਛਾਉਣੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਚੜ੍ਹਾਂਗਾ, 4 ਨਾ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਨੀਂਦ, ਨਾ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਪਲਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਊਂਘ ਆਉਣ ਦਿਆਂਗਾ, 5 ਜਦ ਤੱਕ ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਲਈ ਕੋਈ ਥਾਂ ਨਾ ਲੱਭਾਂ, ਅਤੇ ਯਾਕੂਬ ਦੇ ਕਾਦਰ ਲਈ ਕੋਈ ਡੇਹਰਾ ! 6 ਵੇਖਾ, ਅਸੀਂ ਅਫਰਾਥਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਖ਼ਬਰ ਸੁਣੀ, ਉਹ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਯਾਅਰ ਦੀ ਰੜ੍ਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੱਭ ਪਿਆ । 7 ਅਸੀਂ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਡੇਹਰੇ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਈਏ, ਅਸੀਂ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਪੈਰਾਂ ਦੀ ਚੌਂਕੀ ਅੱਗੇ ਮੱਥਾ ਟੇਕੀਏ । 8 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਉੱਠ, ਆਪਣੇ ਆਰਾਮ ਦੇ ਥਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਆ, ਤੂੰ ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਸ਼ਕਤੀ ਦਾ ਸੰਦੂਕ ਵੀ ! 9 ਤੇਰੇ ਜਾਜਕ ਧਰਮ ਦਾ ਲਿਬਾਸ ਪਾਉਣ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਸੰਤ ਜੈਕਾਰੇ ਗਜਾਉਣ, 10 ਆਪਣੇ ਦਾਸ ਦਾਊਦ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ, ਆਪਣੇ ਮਸਹ ਕੀਤੇ ਹੋਏ ਦਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਨਾ ਮੋੜ ! 11 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੇ ਦਾਊਦ ਨਾਲ ਸੱਚੀ ਸਹੁੰ ਖਾਧੀ, ਜਿਸ ਤੋਂ ਉਹ ਫਿਰੇਗਾ ਨਹੀਂ, ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਢਿੱਡ ਦੇ ਫਲ ਤੋਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਰਾਜ ਗੱਦੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਕਿਸੇ ਨੂੰ ਬਿਠਾਵਾਂਗਾ, 12 ਜੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਅੰਸ ਮੇਰੇ ਨੇਮ ਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਸਾਖੀ ਦੀ, ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਿਖਾਵਾਂਗਾ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕਰੇ, ਤਾਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਅੰਸ ਵੀ ਜੁੱਗੋ-ਜੁੱਗ ਤੇਰੀ ਰਾਜ ਗੱਦੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਬੈਠੇਗੀ । 13 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੇ ਤਾਂ ਸੀਯੋਨ ਨੂੰ ਚੁਣਿਆ, ਉਹ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਵਸੇਬੇ ਲਈ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਪਸੰਦ ਕੀਤਾ । 14 ਏਹ ਸਦਾ ਲਈ ਵਿਸਰਾਮ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ, ਮੈਂ ਏਥੇ ਵੱਸਾਂਗਾ, ਮੈਂ ਇਸ ਨੂੰ ਪਸੰਦ ਜੋ ਕਰ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ । 15 ਮੈਂ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਰਿਜਕ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਾਫ਼ੀ ਬਰਕਤ ਦਿਆਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਕੰਗਾਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਰੋਟੀ ਨਾਲ ਰਜਾਵਾਂਗਾ । 16 ਮੈਂ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਜਾਜਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੁਕਤੀ ਦਾ ਲਿਬਾਸ ਪੁਆਵਾਂਗਾ, ਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਸੰਤ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਦੇ ਜੈਕਾਰੇ ਗਜਾਉਣਗੇ ! 17 ਉੱਥੇ ਮੈਂ ਦਾਊਦ ਲਈ ਇੱਕ ਸਿੰਙ ਫੁਟਾਵਾਂਗਾ, ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਸਹ ਕੀਤੇ ਹੋਏ ਲਈ ਇੱਕ ਦੀਵਾ ਤਿਆਰ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ । 18 ਉਹ ਦੇ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੈਂ ਸ਼ਰਮ ਦਾ ਲਿਬਾਸ ਪੁਆਵਾਂਗਾ, ਪਰ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਮੁਕਟ ਚਮਕੇਗਾ ।
1 ਵੇਖੋ, ਕਿੰਨਾ ਚੰਗਾ ਅਤੇ ਸੋਹਣਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਭਰਾ ਮਿਲ-ਜੁਲ ਕੇ ਵੱਸਣ ! 2 ਇਹ ਉਸ ਖਾਲ਼ਸ ਤੇਲ ਦੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਹੈ, ਜਿਹੜਾ ਸਿਰ ਉੱਤੋਂ ਚੋ ਕੇ ਦਾੜੀ ਉੱਤੇ, ਅਰਥਾਤ ਹਾਰੂਨ ਦੀ ਦਾੜੀ ਉੱਤੋਂ ਚੋ ਕੇ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਪੁਸ਼ਾਕ ਦੀ ਸਿਰੇ ਤੱਕ ਪਹੁੰਚ ਗਿਆ । 3 ਇਹ ਹਰਮੋਨ ਦੀ ਤ੍ਰੇਲ ਦੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਹੈ, ਜੋ ਸੀਯੋਨ ਦੇ ਪਹਾੜ ਉੱਤੇ ਪੈਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਹੀ ਉੱਥੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੇ ਬਰਕਤ ਦਾ, ਅਰਥਾਤ ਸਦੀਪਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਦਾ ਹੁਕਮ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ ।
1 ਵੇਖੋ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਸੇਵਕੋ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਆਖੋ, ਤੁਸੀਂ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਭਵਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਾਤ ਨੂੰ ਖੜ੍ਹੇ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਹੋ, 2 ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਸਥਾਨ ਵੱਲ ਆਪਣੇ ਹੱਥ ਚੁੱਕ ਕੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਆਖੋ ! 3 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਸੀਯੋਨ ਤੋਂ ਬਰਕਤ ਦੇਵੇ, ਜੋ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਤੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਦਾ ਕਰਤਾ ਹੈ ।
1 ਹਲਲੂਯਾਹ ! ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੋ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਸੇਵਕੋ, ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੋ ! 2 ਤੁਸੀਂ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਭਵਨ ਵਿੱਚ, ਸਾਡੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੀਆਂ ਬਾਰਗਾਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਖੜੇ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਹੋ, 3 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੋ ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਭਲਾ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਦਾ ਭਜਨ ਕਰੋ ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਏਹ ਸੋਹਣਾ ਹੈ ! 4 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੇ ਯਾਕੂਬ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਹੀ ਲਈ, ਅਤੇ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਖਾਸ ਮਿਲਖ ਲਈ ਚੁਣ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ । 5 ਸੱਚ-ਮੁੱਚ ਮੈਂ ਜਾਣ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਹਾਂ, ਸਾਡਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਸਾਰੇ ਦੇਵਤਿਆਂ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਵੀ ਮਹਾਨ ਹੈ । 6 ਜੋ ਕੁੱਝ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੇ ਚਾਹਿਆ, ਉਹ ਨੇ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਵਿੱਚ, ਧਰਤੀ ਵਿੱਚ, ਸਮੁੰਦਰਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਅਤੇ ਡੂੰਘਿਆਈਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਕੀਤਾ ! 7 ਉਹ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਹੱਦਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਭਾਫ ਨੂੰ ਉਤਾਹਾਂ ਲਿਆਉਂਦਾ, ਉਹ ਮੀਂਹ ਲਈ ਬਿਜਲੀਆਂ ਬਣਾਉਂਦਾ, ਆਪਣਿਆਂ ਖਜ਼ਾਨਿਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਹਵਾ ਬਾਹਰ ਲਿਆਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, 8 ਜਿਸ ਨੇ ਮਿਸਰ ਦੇ ਜੇਠਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਮਾਰਿਆ, ਇਨਸਾਨ ਤੋਂ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਡੰਗਰ ਤੱਕ । 9 ਹੇ ਮਿਸਰ, ਉਸ ਨੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਵਿਚਕਾਰ ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨ ਤੇ ਅਚੰਭੇ ਭੇਜੇ, ਫਿਰਊਨ ਉੱਤੇ ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਟਹਿਲੂਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ, — 10 ਜਿਸ ਨੇ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮਾਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਅਤੇ ਬਲਵੰਤ ਰਾਜਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੱਢ ਸੁੱਟਿਆ, 11 ਅਰਥਾਤ ਅਮੋਰੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਰਾਜੇ ਸੀਹੋਨ ਨੂੰ, ਬਾਸ਼ਾਨ ਦੇ ਰਾਜੇ ਓਗ ਨੂੰ, ਅਤੇ ਕਨਾਨ ਦੇ ਰਾਜੇ ਰਜਵਾੜਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ । 12 ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਦੇਸ ਮਿਰਾਸ ਵਿੱਚ, ਅਰਥਾਤ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਦੀ ਮਿਰਾਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਦਿਤੇ । 13 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੇਰਾ ਨਾਮ ਸਦੀਪਕ ਹੈ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੇਰੀ ਯਾਦਗਾਰ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀਓ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਤੱਕ ਹੈ ! 14 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਤਾਂ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਦਾ ਨਿਆਂ ਕਰੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਦਾਸਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਤਰਸ ਖਾਵੇਗਾ । 15 ਪਰਾਈਆਂ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਦੇ ਬੁੱਤ ਸੋਨਾ ਚਾਂਦੀ ਹੀ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਇਨਸਾਨ ਦੇ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਦੀ ਬਨਾਵਟ ਹਨ । 16 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਤਾਂ ਹਨ ਪਰ ਓਹ ਬੋਲਦੇ ਨਹੀਂ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਤਾਂ ਹਨ ਪ੍ਰ ਓਹ ਵੇਖਦੇ ਨਹੀਂ, 17 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਕੰਨ ਤਾਂ ਹਨ ਪਰ ਓਹ ਕੰਨ ਨਹੀਂ ਲਾਉਂਦੇ, — ਹਾਂ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਾਹ ਹੈ ਹੀ ਨਹੀਂ ! 18 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਬਣਾਉਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਹੀ ਵਰਗੇ ਹੋਣਗੇ, ਨਾਲੇ ਓਹ ਸਾਰੇ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖਦੇ ਹਨ ! । 19 ਹੇ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਦੇ ਘਰਾਣੇ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਆਖ ! 20 ਹੇ ਲੇਵੀ ਦੇ ਘਰਾਣੇ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਆਖ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਭੈ ਮੰਨਣ ਵਾਲਿਓ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਆਖੋ ! 21 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸੀਯੋਨ ਤੋਂ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਹੋਵੇ, ਉਹ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਯਰੂਸ਼ਲਮ ਦਾ ਵਾਸੀ ਹੈ, — ਹਲਲੂਯਾਹ ! ।
1 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰੋ ਜੋ ਉਹ ਭਲਾ ਹੈ, ਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦਾ ਦੀ ਹੈ । 2 ਦੇਵਤਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰੋ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦਾ ਦੀ ਹੈ । 3 ਪ੍ਰਭੂਆਂ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰੋ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦਾ ਦੀ ਹੈ । 4 ਉਸੇ ਦਾ ਜੋ ਇਕੱਲਾ ਹੀ ਵੱਡੇ-ਵੱਡੇ ਅਚਰਜਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦਾ ਦੀ ਹੈ, 5 ਉਸੇ ਦਾ ਜਿਸ ਨੇ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਨੂੰ ਬੁੱਧ ਨਾਲ ਬਣਾਇਆ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦਾ ਦੀ ਹੈ, 6 ਉਸੇ ਦਾ ਜਿਸ ਨੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਪਾਣੀਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਫੈਲਾਇਆ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦਾ ਦੀ ਹੈ, 7 ਉਸੇ ਦਾ ਜਿਸ ਨੇ ਵੱਡੀਆਂ-ਵੱਡੀਆਂ ਜੋਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਣਾਇਆ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦਾ ਦੀ ਹੈ, 8 ਸੂਰਜ ਨੂੰ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਦਿਨ ਉੱਤੇ ਰਾਜ ਕਰੇ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦਾ ਦੀ ਹੈ, 9 ਚੰਦਰਮਾਂ ਤੇ ਤਾਰਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਕਿ ਓਹ ਰਾਤ ਉੱਤੇ ਰਾਜ ਕਰਨ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦਾ ਦੀ ਹੈ, 10 ਉਸੇ ਦਾ ਜਿਸ ਮਿਸਰ ਦੇ ਜੇਠਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਮਾਰਿਆ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦਾ ਦੀ ਹੈ, 11 ਅਤੇ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਨੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਕੱਢ ਲਿਆਇਆ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦਾ ਦੀ ਹੈ, 12 ਤਕੜੇ ਹੱਥ ਤੇ ਪਸਾਰੀ ਹੋਈ ਬਾਂਹ ਨਾਲ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦਾ ਦੀ ਹੈ, 13 ਉਸੇ ਦਾ ਜਿਸ ਲਾਲ ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਨੂੰ ਪਾੜ ਕੇ ਦੋ ਹਿੱਸੇ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦਾ ਦੀ ਹੈ, 14 ਅਤੇ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਨੂੰ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਦੀ ਲੰਘਾ ਲਿਆ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦਾ ਦੀ ਹੈ, 15 ਅਤੇ ਫਿਰਊਨ ਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਫੌਜ ਨੂੰ ਲਾਲ ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਝਾੜ ਸੁੱਟਿਆ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦਾ ਦੀ ਹੈ, 16 ਉਸੇ ਦਾ ਜੋ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਨੂੰ ਉਜਾੜ ਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਲਈ ਤੁਰਿਆ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦਾ ਦੀ ਹੈ, 17 ਉਸੇ ਦਾ ਜਿਸ ਵੱਡੇ-ਵੱਡੇ ਰਾਜਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਮਾਰਿਆ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦਾ ਦੀ ਹੈ, 18 ਅਤੇ ਪਰਤਾਪੀ ਰਾਜਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੱਢ ਸੁੱਟਿਆ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦਾ ਦੀ ਹੈ, 19 ਅਮੋਰੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਰਾਜੇ ਸੀਹੋਨ ਨੂੰ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦਾ ਦੀ ਹੈ, 20 ਬਾਸ਼ਾਨ ਦੇ ਰਾਜੇ ਓਗ ਨੂੰ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦਾ ਦੀ ਹੈ, 21 ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਦੇਸ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਖ ਵਿੱਚ ਦੇ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦਾ ਦੀ ਹੈ, 22 ਆਪਣੇ ਦਾਸ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਦੀ ਮਿਲਖ ਵਿੱਚ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦਾ ਦੀ ਹੈ, 23 ਜਿਸ ਸਾਡੇ ਮੰਦੇ ਹਾਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਚੇਤੇ ਕੀਤਾ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦਾ ਦੀ ਹੈ, 24 ਅਤੇ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਸਾਡੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਛੁਡਾਇਆ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦਾ ਦੀ ਹੈ, 25 ਜੋ ਸਭ ਜੀਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਰੋਟੀ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦਾ ਦੀ ਹੈ, 26 ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਦੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰੋ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦਾ ਦੀ ਹੈ ! ।
1 ਉੱਥੇ ਬਾਬੁਲ ਦੀਆਂ ਨਦੀਆਂ ਕੋਲ, ਅਸੀਂ ਜਾ ਬੈਠੇ, ਨਾਲੇ ਰੋਣ ਲੱਗ ਪਏ, ਜਦ ਅਸੀਂ ਸੀਯੋਨ ਨੂੰ ਚੇਤੇ ਕੀਤਾ । 2 ਉਹ ਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਬੇਦ-ਮਜਨੂੰਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਅਸੀਂ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਬਰਬਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤੰਗ ਦਿੱਤਾ, 3 ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉੱਥੇ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਬੰਧੂਆ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਨੇ ਸਾਥੋਂ ਗੀਤ ਦਾ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਡੇ ਮਖੌਲ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਨੇ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਦਾ ਸੁਆਲ ਕੀਤਾ, ਕਿ ਦੇ ਗੀਤਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਸਾਡੇ ਲਈ ਕੋਈ ਗੀਤ ਗਾਓ ! 4 ਅਸੀਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਗੀਤ ਪਰਾਏ ਦੇਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਿੱਕੁਰ ਗਾਈਏ ? 5 ਹੇ ਯਰੂਸ਼ਲਮ, ਜੇ ਮੈਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਭੁੱਲ ਜਾਂਵਾਂ, ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰਾ ਸੱਜਾ ਹੱਥ ਭੁੱਲ ਜਾਵੇ, ― 6 ਮੇਰੀ ਜੀਭ ਤਾਲੂ ਨਾ ਜਾ ਲੱਗੇ ! ਜੇ ਮੈਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਚੇਤੇ ਨਾ ਰੱਖਾਂ, ਜੇ ਮੈਂ ਯਰੂਸ਼ਲਮ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਉੱਤਮ ਅਨੰਦ ਤੋਂ ਉੱਚਾ ਨਾ ਰੱਖਾਂ ! 7 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਅਦੋਮ ਦੇ ਵੰਸ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਯਰੂਸ਼ਲਮ ਦੇ ਦਿਨ ਨੂੰ ਚੇਤੇ ਰੱਖ, ਜਿਹੜੇ ਆਖਦੇ ਸਨ, ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਢਾਹ ਦਿਓ, ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਨੀਂਹ ਤੱਕ ਢਾਹ ਦਿਓ ! 8 ਹੇ ਬਾਬਲ ਦੀਏ ਧੀਏ, ਜਿਹੜੀ ਉੱਜੜਨ ਵਾਲੀ ਹੈ, ਧੰਨ ਉਹ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਬਦਲਾ ਦੇਵੇ, ਜਿਵੇਂ ਤੂੰ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਬਦਲਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ ! 9 ਧੰਨ ਉਹ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਤੇਰੇ ਬਾਲਕ ਨੂੰ ਫੜ੍ਹ ਕੇ ਚੱਟਾਨ ਉੱਤੇ ਪਟਕ ਦੇਵੇ ! ।
1 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਦਿਲ ਤੋਂ ਤੇਰਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਦੇਵਤਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਭਜਨ ਗਾਵਾਂਗਾ । 2 ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਹੈਕਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੱਥਾ ਟੇਕਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਦਯਾ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਤੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਵਫ਼ਾਦਾਰੀ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ, ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਸਭ ਦੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਨਾਮ ਨੂੰ, ਆਪਣੇ ਬਚਨ ਨੂੰ ਵਡਿਆਇਆ ਹੈ ! 3 ਜਿਸ ਦਿਨ ਮੈਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰਿਆ ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਬਲ ਦੇ ਕੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਦਿਲੇਰ ਬਣਾਇਆ । 4 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਰਾਜੇ ਤੇਰਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਨਗੇ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਸੁੱਖ ਦਿਆਂ ਵਾਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸੁਣਿਆ ਹੈ, 5 ਅਤੇ ਓਹ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਰਾਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਗੀਤ ਗਾਉਣਗੇ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਜੋ ਵੱਡੀ ਹੈ ! 6 ਭਾਵੇਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮਹਾਨ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਵੀ ਉਹ ਹੀਣਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੇਖਦਾ ਹੈ, ਪਰ ਹੰਕਾਰੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਦੂਰੋਂ ਜਾਣ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ ! 7 ਭਾਵੇਂ ਮੈਂ ਦੁੱਖਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਚੱਲਾਂ, ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਜਿਉਂਦਾ ਰੱਖੇਂਗਾ, ਮੇਰੇ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਉੱਤੇ ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਹੱਥ ਵਧਾਵੇਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰਾ ਸੱਜਾ ਹੱਥ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਚਾਵੇਗਾ । 8 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੇਰਾ ਕੰਮ ਪੂਰਾ ਕਰੇਗਾ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੇਰੀ ਦਯਾ ਸਦੀਪਕ ਹੈ, ਆਪਣੇ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਦੇ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਨਾ ਤਿਆਗ !
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਪਰਖ ਲਿਆ ਤੇ ਜਾਣ ਲਿਆ, 2 ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰਾ ਬੈਠਣਾ ਉੱਠਣਾ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੀ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਦੂਰ ਤੋਂ ਹੀ ਸਮਝ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹੈਂ, 3 ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਚੱਲਣੇ ਅਤੇ ਲੇਟਣੇ ਦੀ ਛਾਨਬੀਨ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਚਾਲਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਵਾਕਫ ਹੈਂ । 4 ਮੇਰੀ ਜੀਭ ਉੱਤੇ ਇੱਕ ਗੱਲ ਵੀ ਨਹੀਂ, — ਵੇਖ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਪੂਰੇ ਤੌਰ ਨਾਲ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਹੈਂ । 5 ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਅੱਗੋਂ ਪਿੱਛੋਂ ਘੇਰ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ, ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਹੱਥ ਮੇਰੇ ਉਤੇ ਧਰਿਆ ਹੈ, ― 6 ਇਹ ਗਿਆਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਅਚਰਜ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਉੱਚਾ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਜੋਗ ਨਹੀਂ ! । 7 ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਆਤਮਾ ਤੋਂ ਕਿੱਧਰ ਜਾਂਵਾਂ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਹਜ਼ੂਰੀ ਤੋਂ ਕਿੱਧਰ ਨੱਠਾਂ ? 8 ਜੇ ਮੈਂ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਉੱਤੇ ਚੜ੍ਹ ਜਾਂਵਾਂ, ਤੂੰ ਉੱਥੇ ਹੈਂ, ਜੇ ਮੈਂ ਪਤਾਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਿਸਤਰਾ ਵਿਛਾਵਾਂ, ਵੇਖ, ਤੂੰ ਉੱਥੇ ਹੈਂ ! 9 ਜੇ ਮੈਂ ਫਜਰ ਦੇ ਖੰਭ ਲਾ ਲਵਾਂ, ਅਤੇ ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਦੇ ਆਖਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਾ ਵੱਸਾਂ, 10 ਉੱਥੇ ਵੀ ਤੇਰਾ ਹੱਥ ਮੇਰੀ ਅਗਵਾਈ ਕਰੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰਾ ਸੱਜਾ ਹੱਥ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਫੜ ਲਵੇਗਾ ! 11 ਜੇ ਮੈਂ ਅਾਖਾਂ ਕਿ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰਾ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਜ਼ਰੂਰ ਢੱਕ ਲਵੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਇਰਦੇ ਗਿਰਦੇ ਦਾ ਚਾਨਣ ਰਾਤ ਹੋ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ, 12 ਫੇਰ ਵੀ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰਾ ਤੈਥੋਂ ਨਾ ਛਿਪਾਵੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਰਾਤ-ਦਿਨ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਚਮਕੇਗੀ, ਸੋ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰਾ ਤੇ ਚਾਨਣ ਇੱਕੋ ਜਿਹੇ ਹਨ ! । 13 ਤੂੰ ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਅੰਦਰਲੇ ਅੰਗ ਰਚੇ, ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੀ ਮਾਂ ਦੀ ਕੁੱਖ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਢੱਕਿਆ । 14 ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਭਿਆਣਕ ਰੀਤੀ ਤੇ ਅਚਰਜ ਹਾਂ, ਤੇਰੇ ਕੰਮ ਅਚਰਜ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਏਹ ਖੂਬ ਜਾਣਦੀ ਹੈ ! 15 ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਹੱਡੀਆਂ ਤੈਥੋਂ ਲੁੱਕੀਆਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਸਨ, ਜਦ ਮੈਂ ਗੁਪਤ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਣਾਇਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ, ਅਤੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਦਿਆਂ ਹੇਠਲਿਆਂ ਥਾਵਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੇਰਾ ਰਸੀਦਾ ਕੱਢੀਦਾ ਸੀ । 16 ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਬੇਡੌਲ ਮਲਬੇ ਨੂੰ ਵੇਖਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਪੋਥੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਭ ਲਿਖੇ ਗਏ, ਦਿਨ ਮਿਥੇ ਗਏ, ਜਦ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਇੱਕ ਵੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਸੀ । 17 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਤੇਰੇ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਕੇਡੇ ਬਹੁਮੁੱਲੇ ਹਨ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਜੋੜ ਕੇਡਾ ਵੱਡਾ ਹੈ ! 18 ਜੇ ਮੈਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਗਿਣਾ, ਓਹ ਰੇਟ ਦੇ ਦਾਣਿਆ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਵੀ ਵੱਧ ਹਨ, ਜਦ ਮੈਂ ਜਾਗ ਉੱਠਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 19 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਤੂੰ ਜ਼ਰੂਰ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੱਢ ਸੁੱਟੇਂਗਾ, ਹੇ ਖੂਨੀਓ, ਮੈਥੋਂ ਦੂਰ ਹੋ ਜਾਓ ! 20 ਜਿਹੜੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਵਿਖੇ ਬੁਰੀ ਚਰਚਾ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਓਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਵੈਰੀ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਅਰਥ ਉੱਚਾ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ ! 21 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਕੀ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਵੈਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਰੱਖਦਾ ? ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਗਰੰਜ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ ? 22 ਮੈਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਪੂਰਾ ਪੂਰਾ ਵੈਰ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਓਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਵੈਰੀ ਹੋ ਗਏ ਹਨ । 23 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਪਰਖ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਦਿਲ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਣ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਜਾਚ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਖਿਆਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਣ, 24 ਅਤੇ ਵੇਖ ਕਿਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਕੋਈ ਭੈੜੀ ਚਾਲ ਤਾਂ ਨਹੀਂ ? ਅਤੇ ਸਦੀਪਕ ਰਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੇਰੀ ਅਗਵਾਈ ਕਰ ! ।
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬੁਰੇ ਆਦਮੀ ਤੋਂ ਛੁਡਾ, ਜ਼ਾਲਮ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਤੋਂ ਮੇਰੀ ਰਾਖੀ ਕਰ, 2 ਜਿਹੜੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਦਿਲਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਬੁਰੇ ਉਪੱਦਰ ਸੋਚਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਰਾ ਦਿਨ ਲੜਾਈਆਂ ਛੇੜਦੇ ਹਨ ! 3 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਨਾਗ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਜੀਭਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤਿੱਖਿਆਂ ਕੀਤਾ, ਸੱਪਾਂ ਦੀ ਵਿੱਸ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਬੁੱਲ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਹੇਠ ਹੈ ! । 4 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਦੇ ਹੱਥੋਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਾਂਭ, ਜ਼ਾਲਮ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਤੋਂ ਮੇਰੀ ਰਖੀ ਕਰ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪੈਰਾਂ ਦੇ ਔਕੜਨ ਦੀ ਜੁਗਤੀ ਕੀਤੀ ! 5 ਹੰਕਾਰੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਫਾਹੀ ਤੇ ਰੱਸੀਆਂ ਲੁਕਾ ਛੱਡੀਆਂ ਹਨ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਰਾਹ ਦੇ ਲਾਗੇ ਜਾਲ਼ ਵਿਛਾਇਆ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਫੰਦੇ ਲਾਏ ਹਨ । ਸਲਹ । 6 ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਆਖਿਆ, ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੈਂ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਅਰਜੋਈਆਂ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਉੱਤੇ ਕੰਨ ਲਾ ! 7 ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਮੇਰੇ ਬਲਵਾਨ ਬਚਾਊ, ਰਣ ਦੇ ਦਿਨ ਮੈਂ ਸਿਰ ਨੂੰ ਕੱਜਿਆ ਹੈ ! 8 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਇੱਛਿਆਂ ਪੂਰੀਆਂ ਨਾ ਕਰ, ਉਹ ਦੇ ਉਪੱਦਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤਰੱਕੀ ਨਾ ਦੇ, ਓਹ ਘਮੰਡ ਨਾ ਕਰਨ ! । ਸਲਹ । 9 ਜਿਹੜੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਆਲੇ-ਦੁਆਲੇ ਹਨ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਬੁੱਲ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਰਾਰਤ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਹੀ ਸਿਰ ਨੂੰ ਢੱਕ ਦੇਵੇ ! 10 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਅੰਗਿਆਰੇ ਪਾਏ ਜਾਣ, ਓਹ ਅੱਗ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੁੱਟੇ ਜਾਣ, ਅਤੇ ਡੂੰਘੇ ਟੋਇਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਿ ਫੇਰ ਨਾ ਉੱਠਣ ! 11 ਬਕਵਾਦੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਕਾਇਮ ਨਾ ਰਹੇ, ਬੁਰਿਆਈ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਢਾਉਣ ਨੂੰ ਜ਼ਾਲਮ ਦਾ ਹੀ ਸ਼ਿਕਾਰ ਕਰੇ ! 12 ਮੈਂ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਕਿ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮਸਕੀਨ ਦਾ ਹੱਕ, ਅਤੇ ਕੰਗਾਲ ਦਾ ਨਿਆਂ ਪੂਰਾ ਕਰੇਗਾ । 13 ਧਰਮੀ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਸੱਚ-ਮੁੱਚ ਕਰਨਗੇ, ਸਚਿਆਰ ਤੇਰੇ ਹਜ਼ੂਰ ਵੱਸਣਗੇ ।
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰਿਆ, ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਛੇਤੀ ਕਰ, ਜਦ ਮੈਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰਾਂ, ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਤੇ ਕੰਨ ਲਾ ! 2 ਮੇਰੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਹਜ਼ੂਰ ਸੁਗੰਧੀ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਠਹਿਰੇ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਦਾ ਉਠਾਉਣਾ ਸ਼ਾਮ ਦੀ ਭੇਟ ਵਰਗਾ ਹੋਵੇ । 3 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੇਰੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਤੇ ਪਹਿਰਾ ਬਿਠਾ, ਮੇਰੇ ਬੁੱਲ੍ਹਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਰਾਖਾ ਰੱਖ ! 4 ਮੇਰੇ ਦਿਲ ਨੂੰ ਕਿਸੇ ਕਿਸੇ ਬੁਰੀ ਗੱਲ ਵੱਲ ਨਾ ਮੋੜ, ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਕੁਕਰਮੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਸੰਗ ਬੁਰੇ ਕੰਮ ਕਰਨ ਲੱਗ ਪਵਾਂ, ਅਤੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਸੁਆਦਲੇ ਭੋਜਨ ਤੋਂ ਖਾਣ ਨਾ ਦੇ ! 5 ਧਰਮੀ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮਾਰੇ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਦਯਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਦਬਕਾਵੇ, ਉਹ ਸਿਰ ਲਈ ਤੇਲ ਹੈ, ਮੇਰਾ ਸਿਰ ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਇਨਕਾਰ ਨਾ ਕਰੇ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਬੁਰਿਆਈਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੇਰੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਰਹੇਗੀ । 6 ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਨਿਆਈ ਚੱਟਾਨ ਦੇ ਪਾਸੇ ਤੋਂ ਡੇਗੇ ਗਏ, ਅਤੇ ਓਹ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਸੁਣਨਗੇ ਕਿ ਓਹ ਮਿੱਠੀਆਂ ਹਨ । 7 ਜਿਵੇਂ ਕੋਈ ਭੂਮੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਲੱਕੜ ਵੱਢੇ ਤੇ ਚੀਰ੍ਹੇ, ਤਿਵੇਂ ਸਾਡੀਆਂ ਹੱਡੀਆਂ ਪਤਾਲ ਦੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਖਿੰਡਾਈਆਂ ਗਈਆਂ । 8 ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਵੱਲ ਹਨ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰਾ ਸ਼ਰਨਾਰਥੀ ਹਾਂ, ਮੇਰੇ ਪ੍ਰਾਣ ਨਾ ਕੱਢ ! 9 ਉਸ ਫਾਹੀ ਤੋਂ ਜਿਹੜੀ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਲਾਈ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਬਦਕਾਰਾਂ ਦੇ ਫੰਧਿਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਚਾ ਲੈ ! 10 ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਆਪਣੇ ਜਾਲ਼ਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਡਿੱਗ ਪੈਣ, ਜਿਸ ਵੇਲੇ ਮੈਂ ਲੰਘ ਜਾਂਵਾਂ !
1 ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਵੱਲ ਆਪਣੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਨਾਲ ਦੁਹਾਈ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਮੈਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਵੱਲ ਆਪਣੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਨਾਲ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ, 2 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੀ ਫਰਿਆਦ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣਾ ਦੁੱਖ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਖੋਲ੍ਹ ਕੇ ਦੱਸਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 3 ਜਦ ਮੇਰਾ ਆਤਮਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਨਢਾਲ ਸੀ, ਤਾਂ ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੀ ਚਾਲ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਸੀ । ਜਿਸ ਰਾਹ ਮੈਂ ਚੱਲਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਇੱਕ ਫਾਹੀ ਲਾਈ ਹੈ । 4 ਨਿਗਾਹ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਸੱਜੇ ਪਾਸੇ ਵੇਖ, ਕਿ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਿਆਣੂ ਕੋਈ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ, ਮੇਰੀ ਪਨਾਹ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਰਹੀ, ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਦਾ ਪੁੱਛਣ ਗਿੱਛਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਕੋਈ ਨਹੀਂ ! 5 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਦੁਹਾਈ ਦਿੰਦਾ, ਮੈਂ ਆਖਿਆ ਕਿ ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੀ ਪਨਾਹ ਹੈਂ, ਜਿਉਂਦਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਭਾਗ । 6 ਮੇਰੇ ਚਿਲਾਉਣੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਧਿਆਨ ਦੇ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਅਧੀਨ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ ਹਾਂ, ਮੇਰੇ ਪਿੱਛਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਓਹ ਮੈਥੋਂ ਬਲਵਾਨ ਹਨ ! 7 ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਕੈਦ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਬਾਹਰ ਕੱਢ, ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਾਂ, ਧਰਮੀ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਆਣ ਘੇਰਨਗੇ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਉਪਕਾਰ ਕਰੇਂਗਾ ! ।
1 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੇਰੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾ ਸੁਣ ਲੈ, ਮੇਰੀ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਕੰਨ ਲਾ, ਆਪਣੀ ਵਫ਼ਾਦਾਰੀ ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਧਰਮ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦੇ ! 2 ਆਪਣੇ ਦਾਸ ਨੂੰ ਅਦਾਲਤ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਾ ਲਿਆ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਤੇਰੇ ਹਜ਼ੂਰ ਕੋਈ ਧਰਮੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਠਹਿਰ ਸਕਦਾ । 3 ਵੈਰੀ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਦਾ ਪਿੱਛਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਿੰਦ ਨੂੰ ਚਿੱਥ ਕੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਸੁੱਟ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਅਨ੍ਹੇਰੇ ਥਾਵਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਵਸਾਇਆ ਹੈ, ਚਿਰ ਦੇ ਮੋਇਆਂ ਹੋਇਆਂ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ! 4 ਤਦੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਆਤਮਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਨਢਾਲ ਹੈ, ਮੇਰਾ ਦਿਲ ਮੇਰੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਵਿਆਕੁਲ ਹੈ । 5 ਮੈਂ ਪੁਰਾਣਿਆਂ ਸਮਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਯਾਦ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਕਰਨੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਦੇ ਕੰਮ ਦਾ ਧਿਆਨ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ । 6 ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਹੱਥ ਤੇਰੀ ਵੱਲ ਅੱਡਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਸੁੱਕੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਤੇਰੀ ਤਿਹਾਈ ਹੈ । ਸਲਹ । 7 ਛੇਤੀ ਕਰ, ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਦੇ, ਮੇਰਾ ਆਤਮਾ ਬੱਸ ਹੋ ਚੱਲਿਆ, ਆਪਣਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਕੋਲੋਂ ਨਾ ਲੁਕਾ, ਕਿਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਕਬਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਉੱਤਰਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਵਰਗਾ ਨਾ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਵਾਂ ! 8 ਸਵੇਰ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਦਯਾ ਦੀ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸੁਣਾਈ ਕਰ, ਮੈਂ ਜੋ ਤੇਰਾ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ, ਮੇਰੇ ਤੁਰਨ ਦਾ ਰਾਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਦੱਸ, ਮੈਂ ਤਾਂ ਆਪਣੀ ਜਾਨ ਤੇਰੇ ਵੱਲ ਉਠਾ ਰੱਖੀ ਹੈ । 9 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਛੁਡਾ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੁੱਕਦਾ ਹਾਂ ! 10 ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਮਰਜ਼ੀ ਪੂਰੀ ਕਰਨੀ ਸਿਖਲਾ, ਤੂੰ ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੈਂ, ਤੇਰਾ ਆਤਮਾ ਨੇਕ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਪੱਧਰੇ ਦੇਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੇਰੀ ਅਗਵਾਈ ਕਰੇ । 11 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਆਪਣੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੇ ਸਦਕੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਜਿਉਂਦਾ ਰੱਖ, ਆਪਣੇ ਧਰਮ ਨਾਲ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਦੁੱਖਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਕੱਢ, 12 ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਦਯਾ ਨਾਲ ਮੇਰੇ ਵੈਰੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਟਾ ਸੁੱਟ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਦੁੱਖ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਨਾਸ ਕਰ ! ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰਾ ਸੇਵਕ ਜੋ ਹਾਂ ।
1 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮੇਰੀ ਚੱਟਾਨ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਹੋਵੇ, ਜੋ ਮੇਰੇ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਯੁੱਧ ਕਰਨਾ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਉਂਗਲੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਲੜਨਾ ਸਿਖਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, 2 ਮੇਰੀ ਦਯਾ, ਮੇਰਾ ਗੜ੍ਹ, ਮੇਰਾ ਉੱਚਾ ਸਥਾਨ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਛੁਡਾਉਣ ਵਾਲਾ, ਮੇਰੀ ਢਾਲ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਜਿਸ ਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੈਂ ਪਨਾਹ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਜੋ ਮੇਰੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਅਧੀਨ ਕਰ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ । 3 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਆਦਮੀ ਕੀ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਤੂੰ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਸਿਆਣੇਂ, ਤੇ ਆਦਮ ਵੰਸ ਕੀ, ਜੋ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਖਿਆਲ ਕਰੇਂ ? 4 ਆਦਮੀ ਸੁਆਸ ਹੀ ਜਿਹਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਦੇ ਦਿਨ ਢਲਦੇ ਸਾਯੇ ਵਰਗੇ ਹਨ । 5 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਆਪਣੇ ਅਕਾਸ਼ਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਝੁਕਾ ਕੇ ਉਤਰ ਆ, ਪਹਾੜਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਛੂਹ ਕਿ ਧੂੰਆ ਨਿੱਕਲੇ ! 6 ਬਿਜਲੀ ਲਿਸ਼ਕਾ ਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਖਿੰਡਾ ਦੇ, ਆਪਣੇ ਬਾਣ ਚਲਾ ਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਘਬਰਾ ਦੇ ! 7 ਆਪਣੇ ਹੱਥ ਉੱਪਰੋਂ ਪਸਾਰ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਧੂ ਕੇ ਵੱਡੇ ਪਾਣੀਆਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਛੁਡਾ ! ਅਰਥਾਤ ਓਪਰਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਹੱਥੋਂ, 8 ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਵਿਅਰਥ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਸੱਜਾ ਹੱਥ ਝੂਠ ਦਾ ਸੱਜਾ ਹੱਥ ਹੈ । 9 ਹੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਇੱਕ ਨਵਾਂ ਗੀਤ ਗਾਵਾਂਗਾ, ਦਸ ਤਾਰਾਂ ਵਾਲੀ ਸਿਤਾਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਭਜਨ ਗਾਵਾਂਗਾ । 10 ਜਿਹੜਾ ਰਾਜਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਛੁਟਕਾਰਾ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਜਿਹੜਾ ਆਪਣੇ ਦਾਸ ਨੂੰ ਭੈੜੀ ਤਲਵਾਰ ਤੋਂ ਖਿੱਚ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਉਹ ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਹੈਂ ! 11 ਓਪਰਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਹੱਥੋਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਖਿੱਚ ਕੇ ਛੁਡਾ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਵਿਅਰਥ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਸੱਜਾ ਹੱਥ ਝੂਠ ਦਾ ਸੱਜਾ ਹੱਥ ਹੈ ! । 12 ਸਾਡੇ ਪੁੱਤਰ ਆਪਣੀ ਜਵਾਨੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਬੂਟਿਆਂ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਵਧਣ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਡੀਆਂ ਧੀਆਂ ਖੂੰਜੇ ਦੇ ਪੱਥਰਾਂ ਦੀ ਨਿਆਈਂ ਹੋਣ, ਜਿਹੜੇ ਮਹਿਲ ਲਈ ਘੜੇ ਹੋਣ । 13 ਸਾਡੇ ਖਾਤੇ ਭਾਂਤ-ਭਾਂਤ ਦੇ ਅਨਾਜ਼ ਨਾਲ ਭਰੇ ਹੋਏ ਹੋਣ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਡੇ ਵਾੜੇ ਹਜ਼ਾਰਾਂ ਲੱਖਾਂ ਭੇਡਾਂ ਨਾਲ, 14 ਸਾਡੇ ਬਲਦ ਚੰਗੇ ਲੱਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਹੋਣ, ਅਤੇ ਕੋਈ ਸੰਨ੍ਹ ਨਾ ਹੋਵੇ, ਨਾ ਬਾਹਰ ਜਾਣਾ ਹੋਵੇ, ਨਾ ਸਾਡੇ ਚੌਂਕਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਡੰਡ ਦੁਹਾਈ ਹੋਵੇ, 15 ਤਾਂ ਧੰਨ ਓਹ ਲੋਕ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਇਹ ਹਾਲ ਹੋਵੇ ! ਧੰਨ ਓਹ ਲੋਕ ਹਨ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਹੈ !
1 ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਹੇ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਪ੍ਰਸ਼ੰਸ਼ਾ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਨੂੰ ਜੁੱਗੋ-ਜੁੱਗ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਆਖਾਂਗਾ, 2 ਮੈਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਦਿਨੋ ਦਿਨ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਆਖਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਜੁੱਗੋ-ਜੁੱਗ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ ! 3 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮਹਾਨ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਅੱਤ ਉਸਤਤ ਜੋਗ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਮਹਾਨਤਾ ਅਗੰਮ ਹੈ । 4 ਇੱਕ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਦੂਜੀ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਨੂੰ ਤੇਰੇ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਦਾ ਜੱਸ ਸੁਣਾਏਗੀ, ਅਤੇ ਓਹ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਕੁਦਰਤਾਂ ਦੱਸਣਗੇ । 5 ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਤੇਜਵਾਨ ਪਰਤਾਪ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਾਨ ਦਾ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਅਚਰਜ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਦਾ ਧਿਆਨ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 6 ਓਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਭਿਆਣਕ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਦੀ ਸਮਰੱਥਾ ਦਾ ਪਰਚਾਰ ਕਰਨਗੇ, ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਮਹਾਨਤਾ ਦਾ ਵਰਣਨ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ । 7 ਓਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਹੁਤ ਭਲਿਆਈ ਨੂੰ ਚੇਤੇ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਗਰਮ ਜੋਸ਼ ਹੋਣਗੇ, ਅਤੇ ਓਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਧਰਮ ਦਾ ਜੈਕਾਰਾ ਗਜਾਉਣਗੇ । 8 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਯਾਲੂ ਤੇ ਕਿਰਪਾਲੂ ਹੈ, ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਵਿੱਚ ਧੀਰਜਵਾਨ ਅਤੇ ਦਯਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਹਾਨ । 9 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸਭਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਭਲਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਰਹਿਮਤਾਂ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਉਤੇ ਹਨ । 10 ਹੇ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ, ਤੇਰੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਕੰਮ ਤੇਰਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕਰਨਗੇ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਸੰਤ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਆਖਣਗੇ । 11 ਓਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹੀ ਦੇ ਪਰਤਾਪ ਦਾ ਚਰਚਾ ਕਰਨਗੇ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਕੁਦਰਤ ਦੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਕਰਨਗੇ, 12 ਕਿ ਓਹ ਆਦਮੀ ਦੇ ਵੰਸ ਉੱਤੇ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਕੁਦਰਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪਰਗਟ ਕਰਨ, ਨਾਲੇ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹੀ ਦੇ ਤੇਜਵਾਨ ਪਰਤਾਪ ਨੂੰ । 13 ਤੇਰੀ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹੀ ਅਨਾਦੀ ਤੇ ਅਨੰਤ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰਾ ਰਾਜ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀਆਂ ਤੱਕ । 14 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਡਿੱਗਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਸੰਭਾਲਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਝੁਕਿਆਂ ਹੋਇਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਿੱਧਾ ਕਰ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ । 15 ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਵੱਲ ਲੱਗੀਆਂ ਹੋਈਆਂ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਤੂੰ ਵੇਲੇ ਸਿਰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਭੋਜਣ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈਂ । 16 ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਹੱਥ ਖੋਲ੍ਹਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਜੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਇੱਛਿਆ ਨੂੰ ਪੂਰੀ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈਂ । 17 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਰਾਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਧਰਮੀ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਦਯਾਵਾਨ ਹੈ । 18 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਸਭਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਨੇੜੇ ਹੈ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਉਹ ਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਹਾਂ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਸਭਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਸਚਿਆਈ ਨਾਲ ਪੁਕਾਰਦੇ ਹਨ । 19 ਉਹ ਆਪਣਾ ਭੈ ਮੰਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਇੱਛਿਆ ਪੂਰੀ ਕਰੇਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਦੁਹਾਈ ਸੁਣੇਗਾ ਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਚਾਵੇਗਾ । 20 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਪ੍ਰੇਮੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਪਰ ਸਾਰੇ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਦਾ ਨਾਸ ਕਰੇਗਾ । 21 ਮੇਰਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੇ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਬਸ਼ਰ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਨਾਮ ਨੂੰ ਜੁੱਗੋ-ਜੁੱਗ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਆਖਣ !
1 ਹਲਲੂਯਾਹ ! ਹੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰ ! 2 ਮੈਂ ਜੀਵਨ ਭਰ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ, ਜਿੰਨਾ ਚਿਰ ਮੈਂ ਰਹਾਂਗਾ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦਾ ਭਜਨ ਗਾਵਾਂਗਾ । 3 ਹਾਕਮਾਂ ਦੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਨਾ ਰੱਖੋ, ਨਾ ਆਦਮ ਵੰਸ ਉੱਤੇ, ਜਿਹ ਦੇ ਕੋਲ ਬਚਾਓ ਹੈ ਨਹੀਂ । 4 ਉਹ ਦਾ ਸਾਹ ਨਿੱਕਲ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ, ਉਹ ਆਪਣੀ ਮਿੱਟੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੁੜ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ, ਉਸੇ ਦਿਨ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਪਰੋਜਨ ਨਾਸ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ ! 5 ਧੰਨ ਉਹ ਹੈ ਜਿਹ ਦਾ ਸਹਾਇਕ ਯਾਕੂਬ ਦਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਹੈ, ਜਿਹ ਦੀ ਆਸਾ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਹੈ ! 6 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਤੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਨੂੰ ਤੇ ਜੋ ਕੁੱਝ ਉਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ ਬਣਾਇਆ, ਉਹ ਵਫ਼ਾਦਾਰੀ ਦੀ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ । 7 ਉਹ ਦਬਾਏ ਹੋਇਆਂ ਦਾ ਨਿਆਂ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਭੁੱਖਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਰੋਟੀ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਗ਼ੁਲਾਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ । 8 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਅੰਨ੍ਹਿਆਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਖੋਲ੍ਹ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਝੁਕਿਆ ਹੋਇਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਿੱਧਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਧਰਮੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਪਿਆਰ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ । 9 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਪਰਦੇਸੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਯਤੀਮਾਂ ਤੇ ਵਿਧਵਾ ਨੂੰ ਸੰਭਾਲਦਾ ਹੈ, ਪਰ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਦਾ ਰਾਹ ਵਿੰਗਾ ਕਰ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ । 10 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਸਦਾ ਤੱਕ ਰਾਜ ਕਰੇਗਾ, ਤੇਰਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ, ਹੇ ਸੀਯੋਨ, ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀਓ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਤੱਕ । ਹਲਲੂਯਾਹ !
1 ਹਲਲੂਯਾਹ ! ਸਾਡੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦਾ ਭਜਨ ਗਾਉਣਾ ਤਾਂ ਭਲਾ ਹੈ, ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰਨਾ ਮਨ ਭਾਉਣਾ ਤੇ ਸੋਹਣਾ ਹੈ ! 2 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਯਰੂਸ਼ਲਮ ਨੂੰ ਉਸਾਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਦੇ ਦੇਸੋਂ ਕੱਢਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਇਕੱਠਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ । 3 ਉਹ ਟੁੱਟੇ ਦਿਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਚੰਗਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਸੋਗਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਪੱਟੀ ਬੰਨਦਾ ਹੈ । 4 ਉਹ ਤਾਰਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਗਿਣਤੀ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਨਾਉਂ ਬਲਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ । 5 ਸਾਡਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਮਹਾਨ ਅਤੇ ਬਹੁਤ ਸ਼ਕਤੀਮਾਨ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਸਮਝ ਦਾ ਕੋਈ ਪਾਰਾਵਾਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ । 6 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਮਸਕੀਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸੰਭਾਲਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਦੁਸ਼ਟਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਧਰਤੀ ਤੱਕ ਨਿਵਾ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ । 7 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਨਾਲ ਉੱਤਰ ਦਿਓ, ਸਾਡੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਲਈ ਬਰਬਤ ਨਾਲ ਭਜਨ ਗਾਓ, 8 ਜਿਹੜਾ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਨੂੰ ਬੱਦਲਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਢੱਕਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਲਈ ਮੀਂਹ ਤਿਆਰ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਪਹਾੜਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਘਾਹ ਉਗਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ । 9 ਉਹ ਡੰਗਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਅਹਾਰ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਨਾਲੇ ਕਾਵਾਂ ਦੇ ਬੱਚਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਜਦ ਉਹ ਪੁਕਾਰਦੇ ਹਨ । 10 ਨਾ ਘੋੜੇ ਦੇ ਜ਼ੋਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹ ਖੁਸ਼ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਨਾ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦੀਆਂ ਲੱਤਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਰੀਝਦਾ ਹੈ । 11 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਭੈ ਮੰਨਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਰੀਝਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਦਯਾ ਦੀ ਆਸਵੰਦਾ ਉੱਤੇ ਵੀ । 12 ਹੇ ਯਰੂਸ਼ਲਮ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦਾ ਜਸ ਗਾ, ਹੇ ਸੀਯੋਨ, ਆਪਣੇ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰ ! 13 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਤਾਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਫਾਟਕਾਂ ਦੇ ਅਰਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤਕੜਾ ਕੀਤਾ, ਉਹ ਨੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੇਰੇ ਬੱਚਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਰਕਤ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਹੈ । 14 ਉਹ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਹੱਦਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੁਲਾਹ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਮੈਦੇ ਵਾਲੀ ਕਣਕ ਨਾਲ ਰਜਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ । 15 ਉਹ ਆਪਣਾ ਹੁਕਮ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਭੇਜਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਦਾ ਬਚਨ ਬਹੁਤ ਤੇਜ ਦੌੜਦਾ ਹੈ । 16 ਉਹ ਬਰਫ਼ ਉੱਨ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਪਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਕੱਕਰ ਸੁਆਹ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਖਿੰਡਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ । 17 ਉਹ ਆਪਣੀ ਬਰਫ਼ ਨੂੰ ਟੁੱਕੜੇ-ਟੁੱਕੜੇ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਸੁੱਟਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਦੇ ਪਾਲੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਕੌਣ ਖੜ੍ਹਾ ਰਹਿ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ ? 18 ਉਹ ਆਪਣਾ ਹੁਕਮ ਭੇਜ ਕੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪਿਘਲਾ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਆਪਣੀ ਪੌਣ ਚਲਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਪਾਣੀ ਵਗ ਪੈਂਦੇ ਹਨ । 19 ਉਹ ਯਾਕੂਬ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਹੁਕਮ, ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਤੇ ਨਿਆਂ ਦੱਸਦਾ ਹੈ । 20 ਉਹ ਨੇ ਕਿਸੇ ਹੋਰ ਕੌਮ ਨਾਲ ਅਜਿਹਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਕੀਤਾ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਨਿਆਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਜਾਣਿਆ ਵੀ ਨਹੀਂ । ਹਲਲੂਯਾਹ ! ।
1 ਹਲਲੂਯਾਹ ! ਅਕਾਸ਼ੋਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੋ, ਉਚਿਆਈਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੋ ! 2 ਹੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਦੂਤੋ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੋ, ਹੇ ਉਹ ਦੀਓ ਸਾਰੀਓ ਸੈਨਾਵੋ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੋ ! 3 ਹੇ ਸੂਰਜ ਤੇ ਚੰਦ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੋ, ਹੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਰੋਸ਼ਨ ਤਾਰਿਓ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੋ ! 4 ਹੇ ਅਕਾਸ਼ਾਂ ਦੇ ਅਕਾਸ਼ੋ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੋ, ਨਾਲੇ ਪਾਣੀ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਅਕਾਸ਼ਾਂ ਦੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਹਨ ! 5 ਏਹ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰਨ, ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਉਸ ਹੁਕਮ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਅਤੇ ਓਹ ਉਤਪੰਨ ਹੋਏ, 6 ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਦਾ ਲਈ ਇਸਥਿਰ ਕੀਤਾ, ਉਸ ਨੇ ਇੱਕ ਬਿਧੀ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਜਿਹੜੀ ਅਟੱਲ ਹੈ । 7 ਹੇ ਜਲ ਜੰਤੂਓ ਤੇ ਸਾਰੀਓ ਡੂੰਘਿਆਈਓ, ਪ੍ਰਿਥਵੀ ਤੋਂ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੋ ! 8 ਅੱਗ ਦੇ ਗੜ੍ਹੇ, ਬਰਫ਼ ਤੇ ਧੁੰਦ, ਤੂਫਾਨੀ ਹਵਾ ਜਿਹੜੀ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਹੁਕਮ ਪੂਰਾ ਕਰਦੀ ਹੈ, 9 ਪਹਾੜ ਤੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਟਿੱਬੇ, ਫਲਦਾਰ ਬਿਰਛ ਤੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਦਿਆਰ, 10 ਦਰਿੰਦੇ ਤੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਡੰਗਰ, ਘਿਸਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਤੇ ਪੰਖ ਪੰਛੀ, 11 ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਰਾਜੇ ਤੇ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਉੱਮਤਾਂ, ਸਰਦਾਰ ਤੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਨਿਆਈਂ, 12 ਗੱਭਰੂ ਤੇ ਕੁਆਰੀਆਂ, ਬੁੱਢੇ ਤੇ ਜੁਆਨ, 13 ਏਹ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰਨ ! ਕਿਉਂ ਜੋ ਇਕੱਲਾ ਉਸੇ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਮਹਾਨ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਦਾ ਤੇਜ਼ ਧਰਤੀ ਤੇ ਅਕਾਸ਼ ਦੇ ਉੱਪਰ ਹੈ, 14 ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਦੇ ਸਿੰਙ ਨੂੰ ਉੱਚਾ ਕੀਤਾ, ਏਹ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਸੰਤਾਂ ਲਈ ਉਸਤਤ ਦਾ ਕਾਰਨ ਹੈ, ਅਰਥਾਤ ਇਸਰਾਏਲੀਆਂ ਲਈ, ਜਿਹੜੇ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਨੇੜੇ ਦੇ ਲੋਕ ਹਨ, ― ਹਲਲੂਯਾਹ ! ।
1 ਹਲਲੂਯਾਹ ! ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਲਈ ਇੱਕ ਨਵਾਂ ਗੀਤ ਗਾਓ, ਸੰਤਾਂ ਦੀ ਸਭਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੋ ! 2 ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਆਪਣੇ ਕਰਤਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਅਨੰਦ ਹੋਵੇ, ਸੀਯੋਨ ਦੇ ਵਾਸੀ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਾਗ ਬਾਗ ਹੋਣ । 3 ਓਹ ਨਿਰਤਕਾਰੀ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰਨ, ਅਤੇ ਤਬਲਾ ਤੇ ਸਿਤਾਰ ਵਜਾਉਂਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਉਹ ਦਾ ਭਜਨ ਗਾਉਣ ! 4 ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਰਜਾ ਨਾਲ ਖੁਸ਼ ਜੋ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਮਸਕੀਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਫਤਹ ਨਾਲ ਸਿੰਗਾਰੇਗਾ, 5 ਸੰਤ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਾਗ ਬਾਗ ਹੋਣ, ਓਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਵਿਛਾਉਣਿਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਜੈਕਾਰਾ ਗਜਾਉਣ ! 6 ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੀਆਂ ਵਡਿਆਈਆਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਕੰਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੋਣ, ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਹੱਥ ਵਿੱਚ ਦੁਧਾਰੀ ਤਲਵਾਰ, 7 ਕਿ ਪਰਾਈਆਂ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਬਦਲਾ ਲੈਣ, ਅਤੇ ਉੱਮਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਝਿੜਕੀਂ ਦੇਣ, 8 ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਰਾਜਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਸੰਗਲਾਂ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ, ਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਪਤਵੰਤਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਲੋਹੇ ਦੀਆਂ ਬੇੜੀਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਬੰਨ੍ਹਣ, 9 ਅਤੇ ਲਿਖੇ ਹੋਏ ਫਤਵੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਚਲਾਉਣ, — ਏਹ ਉਹ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਸੰਤਾਂ ਦਾ ਮਾਣ ਹੈ । ਹਲਲੂਯਾਹ ! ।
1 ਹਲਲੂਯਾਹ ! ਉਹ ਦੇ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਸਥਾਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੋ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਕਤੀ ਦੇ ਅੰਬਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੋ ! 2 ਉਹ ਦੀ ਸਮਰੱਥਾ ਦੇ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੋ, ਉਹ ਦੀ ਅਤਯੰਤ ਮਹਾਨਤਾ ਦੇ ਜੋਗ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੋ ! 3 ਤੁਰ੍ਹੀ ਦੀ ਫੂਕ ਨਾਲ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੋ, ਸਿਤਾਰ ਤੇ ਬਰਬਤ ਨਾਲ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੋ, 4 ਤਬਲੇ ਤੇ ਨਿਰਤਕਾਰੀ ਨਾਲ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੋ, ਤਾਰੇ ਵਾਲੇ ਵਾਜਿਆਂ ਤੇ ਬੰਸਰੀਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੋ ! 5 ਸਪੱਸ਼ਟ ਸੁਰ ਵਾਲੀ ਝਾਂਜ ਨਾਲ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੋ, ਛਣਕਣ ਵਾਲੀ ਝਾਂਜ ਨਾਲ ਉਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੋ ! 6 ਸਾਰੇ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀਓ, ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਕਰੋ ! ਹਲਲੂਯਾਹ ! ।