Psalm 1-29
Tree of Life Version
Torah Is a Tree of Wisdom
Psalm 1
1 Happy is the one who has not walked in the advice of the wicked,
nor stood in the way of sinners,
nor sat in the seat of scoffers.
2 But his delight is in the Torah of Adonai,
and on His Torah he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a planted tree over streams of water,
producing its fruit during its season.
Its leaf never droops—
but in all he does, he succeeds.
4 The wicked are not so.
For they are like chaff that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand during the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For Adonai knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.
Coronation of Messianic King
Psalm 2
1 Why are the nations in an uproar,
and the peoples mutter vanity?
2 The kings of earth set themselves up[a]
and rulers conspire together[b] against Adonai
and against His Anointed One[c]:
3 “Let’s rip their chains apart,
and throw their ropes off us!”
4 He who sits in heaven laughs!
Adonai mocks them.
5 So He will speak to them in His anger,
and terrify them in His fury:
6 “I have set up My king
upon Zion, My holy mountain.”
7 I will declare the decree of Adonai.
He said to me: “You are My Son—
today I have become Your Father.[d]
8 Ask Me,
and I will give the nations as Your inheritance,
and the far reaches of the earth as Your possession.
9 You shall break the nations with an iron scepter.[e]
You shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s jar.”[f]
10 So now, O kings, be wise,
take warning, O judges of the earth!
11 Serve Adonai with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest He become angry,
and you perish along your way—
since His wrath may flare up suddenly.
Happy is everyone taking refuge in Him!
Magen David
Psalm 3
1 A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom.
2 Adonai, how many are my foes!
Many are rising up against me!
3 Many are saying to my soul:
“There is no deliverance for him in God.”
Selah
4 But You, Adonai, are a shield around me,
my glory and the lifter of my head.
5 I cry out to Adonai with my voice,
and He answers me from His holy mountain.
Selah
6 I lie down and sleep.
I awake—for Adonai sustains me.
7 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people all around
who have taken their stand against me.
8 Arise, Adonai! Deliver me, my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek.
You shatter the teeth of the wicked.
9 Deliverance belongs to Adonai.[g]
Let Your blessing be on Your people.
Selah
Prayer for Sleep in Shalom
Psalm 4
1 For the music director, on stringed instruments, a psalm of David.
2 Answer me when I call,
God of my righteousness!
You set me free when I am in distress.
Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.
3 O sons of men, how long will you turn my glory into my shame?
How long will you love worthlessness and pursue falsehood? Selah
4 But know that Adonai has set apart the godly for His own.
Adonai will hear when I call to Him.
5 Tremble, but do not sin![h]
Search your heart while on your bed, and be silent. Selah
6 Offer righteous sacrifices
and put your trust in Adonai.
7 Many are asking, “Who will show us some good?”
May the light of Your face shine upon us, Adonai!
8 You have put joy in my heart—
more joy than when their grain and new wine overflow.
9 I will lie down and sleep in shalom.
For You alone, Adonai, make me live securely.
Morning Prayer for Justice
Psalm 5
1 For the music director, on the wind instruments, a psalm of David.
2 Hear my words, Adonai,
consider my groaning.
3 Listen to the sound of my cry for help,
my King and my God, for I pray to you.
4 Adonai, in the morning You hear my voice.
In the morning I order my prayer before You and watch expectantly.
5 For You are not a God who rejoices in evil.
No wickedness dwells with you.
6 Braggarts will not stand before your eyes.
You hate all wrongdoers.
7 You destroy those who speak falsehood.
A person of bloodshed and deceit Adonai detests.
8 But because of your great lovingkindness, I will enter Your House.
I will bow toward Your holy Temple, in awe of You.
9 Lead me, Adonai, in Your righteousness, because of my enemies.
Make Your path straight before me.
10 For nothing upright is in their mouth.
Inside them is a ruin—their throat an open grave.
They flatter with their tongue.[i]
11 Declare them guilty, O God!
Let them fall by their own schemes.
Banish them because of their many transgressions—
for they have rebelled against You.
12 But let all who take refuge in You rejoice!
Let them always shout for joy!
You will shelter them and they exult—those who love Your Name.
13 For You bless the righteous, Adonai.
You surround him with favor as a shield.
Prayer for Mercy
Psalm 6
1 For the music director, on the eight-string lyre, a psalm of David.
2 Adonai, do not rebuke me in Your anger!
Do not discipline me in Your wrath.
3 Be gracious to me, Adonai, for I am weak.
Heal me, Adonai—for my bones are shuddering with fear,
4 as is my soul—
and You, Adonai—how long?
5 Turn toward me, Adonai, deliver my soul!
Save me—because of Your mercy.
6 For there is no memory of You in death,
in Sheol who will praise You?
7 I am worn out with my groaning.
Every night I make my bed swim,
drenching my pillow with my tears.
8 My eyes are weakened with grief—
they age because of my enemies.
9 Away from me, all you evildoers!
For Adonai heard the sound of my weeping.
10 Adonai has heard my cry for mercy.
Adonai accepts my prayer:
11 “May all my enemies be ashamed, and stricken with terror.
May they turn back in sudden disgrace.”
Adonai Magen
Psalm 7
1 A passionate song of David, which he sang to Adonai concerning Cush, a Benjamite.
2 Adonai my God, in You I have taken refuge.
Save me from each of my persecutors, and deliver me.
3 Otherwise he will rip me apart like a lion,
with no one to rescue me.
4 Adonai my God, if I have done this—
if there is guilt on my hands,
5 if I have paid back evil to anyone at peace with me,
or unjustly attacked my adversary,
6 then let the enemy chase me,
overtake me, and trample me into the ground,
leaving my honor in the dirt! Selah
7 Arise, Adonai, in Your anger,
arise against the fury of my enemies!
Awake for me!
You decreed justice.
8 Let an assembly of peoples gather around You
and return on high, above them.
9 Adonai judges the peoples.
Vindicate me, Adonai,
according to my righteousness and integrity in me.
10 Please, end the evil of the wicked
and sustain the righteous.
A just God examines hearts and minds.
11 My shield is God—
Savior of the upright in heart.
12 God is a righteous judge,
a God who is indignant every day.
13 If He does not relent,
He will sharpen His sword.
He has bent His bow and made it ready.
14 He prepares His own deadly weapons.
He makes His fiery arrows.
15 Look! The one pregnant with trouble conceives mischief
and brings forth deceit.[j]
16 He digs a pit, scrapes it out,
and then falls into the hole he has made.
17 His mischief will turn on his own head.
His violence will boomerang on his crown.
18 I will praise Adonai for His justice.
I sing praise to the Name of Adonai Elyon!
Humanity is God’s Splendor
Psalm 8
1 For the music director, upon the Gittite lyre: a psalm of David.
2 Adonai our Lord,
how excellent is Your Name over all the earth!
You set Your splendor above the heavens.
3 Out of the mouths of babies and toddlers
You established power,[k] because of Your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
4 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which You established—
5 what is man, that You are mindful of him?
And the son of man, that You care for him?[l]
6 Yet You made him a little lower than the angels,
and crowned him with glory and majesty!
7 You gave him dominion over the works of Your hands.
You put all things under their feet:[m]
8 all sheep and oxen,
and also beasts of the field,
9 birds in the air, and fish in the ocean—
all passing through the paths of the seas.
10 Adonai our Lord, how excellent is Your Name over all the earth!
Our Righteous Judge
Psalm 9
1 For the music director, to the tune of “The Death of the Son,” a psalm of David.
2 I will praise Adonai with my whole heart.
I will tell about all Your wonders.
3 I will be glad and rejoice in You.
I will sing praise to Your Name, Elyon!
4 When my enemies turn back,
they stumble and perish before You.
5 For You upheld my right and my cause.
You sat upon the throne, judging righteously.
6 You rebuked the nations,
You destroyed the wicked—
blotting out their name forever and ever.
7 The enemy is finished, in ruins forever.
You overturned their cities—
even the memory of them has perished.
8 But Adonai reigns forever.
He established His throne for judgment.
9 He judges the world in righteousness
and governs the peoples justly.
10 Adonai is a stronghold for the oppressed,
a high tower in times of trouble.
11 Those who know Your Name trust You—
for You, Adonai, never have forsaken those who seek You.
12 Sing praises to Adonai, who dwells in Zion.
Declare His deeds among the peoples.
13 He who avenges blood remembers.
He will not forget the cry of the afflicted.
14 Be compassionate to me, Adonai.
See my affliction from those hating me.
Lift me up from the gates of death.
15 Then I will tell all your praises
in the gates of the daughter of Zion,
rejoicing in Your salvation.
16 The nations sank into the pit they made.
The net they hid caught their own foot.
17 Adonai is known for executing judgment.
The wicked one is trapped in the work of his own hands.
Selah
18 The wicked will turn to Sheol,
as will all the nations that forget God.
19 For the needy will not forever be forgotten,
nor the hope of the poor perish forever.
20 Arise, Adonai, do not let man triumph.
Let the nations be judged before You.
21 Strike them with terror, Adonai.
Let the nations know they are only human. Selah
Freedom from Terror
Psalm 10
1 Why, Adonai, are You standing far off?
Why hide Yourself in times of trouble?
2 In pride the wicked hotly hunts the poor.
Let them be caught in the plots they have planned.
3 For the wicked one boasts about his soul’s desire.
The greedy one curses, reviling Adonai.
4 The wicked one, with his nose in the air, never seeks Him.
All his thoughts are: “There is no God.”
5 His ways are secure at all times.
He haughtily disregards Your judgments.
He snorts at all his adversaries.
6 He says in his heart: “I’ll never be shaken!
From generation to generation nothing bad will happen.”
7 His mouth is full of cursing, lies and oppression.
On his tongue are trouble and iniquity.[n]
8 He lies in ambush near villages.
In hidden places he slays the innocent.
His eyes watch in secret for the helpless.
9 He lurks in a hiding place like a lion in a thicket.
He lies in wait to catch the helpless.
He catches the unfortunate one, dragging him away in his net.
10 The victim is crushed, brought down,
and falls into his mighty claws.
11 He says in his heart: “God has forgotten.
He hides His face—He will never see it.”
12 Arise, Adonai! O God, lift up Your hand.
Do not forget the afflicted.
13 Why does the wicked one revile God?
He says in his heart:
“You will never require anything.”
14 You saw—for You see trouble and grief,
to take it in Your hand.
The victim puts his trust in You—
You are the helper of the orphan.
15 Break the arm of the wicked, evil one!
Call him to account for his wickedness—
until no more is found.
16 Adonai is King forever and ever!
Nations will be wiped off His land.
17 You hear, Adonai, the desire of the meek.
You encourage them and incline Your ear.
18 You vindicate the orphan and oppressed,
so that man, who is earthly, may terrify no more.
Judgment from Heaven
Psalm 11
1 For the music director, a psalm of David.
In Adonai I have taken shelter.
How can you say to my soul:
“Fly like a bird to your mountain?
2 For look, the wicked bend the bow.
They fix their arrow on the bowstring
so they can shoot from the shadows
at those who are upright in heart.
3 If our foundations are destroyed,
what should the righteous do?”
4 Adonai is in His holy Temple.
Adonai’s throne is in heaven.[o]
His eyes are watching.
His eyelids observe the children of men.
5 Adonai examines the righteous.
But the wicked and one loving violence His soul hates.
6 On the wicked He will rain down fire, brimstone
and scorching wind as the portion of their cup!
7 For Adonai is righteous—He loves justice.
The upright will see His face.
Silence the Flattering Lips
Psalm 12
1 For the music director, on the eight-string lyre, a psalm of David.
2 Help, Adonai! For no one godly exists.
For the faithful have vanished from the children of men.
3 Everyone tells a lie to his neighbor,
talking with flattering lips and a divided heart.
4 May Adonai cut off all flattering lips—
a tongue bragging big things.
5 They say: “With our tongue we’ll prevail.
We own our lips—who can master us?”
6 “Because of the oppression of the poor,
because of the groaning of the needy,
now will I arise,” says Adonai.
“I will put him in the safe place—he pants for it.”
7 The words of Adonai are pure words—
like silver refined in an earthly crucible,
purified seven times.
8 You will keep us safe, Adonai.
You will protect us from this generation forever.
9 The wicked strut all around,
while vileness is exalted by mankind.
Trust in His Chesed
Psalm 13
1 For the music director, a psalm of David.
2 How long, Adonai? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?
3 How long must I have cares in my soul
and daily sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
4 Look at me and answer, Adonai my God.
Light up my eyes, or I will sleep in death.
5 Or else my enemy will say: “I have overcome him!”
and my foes will rejoice because I am shaken.
6 But I trust in Your lovingkindness,
my heart rejoices in Your salvation.
I will sing to Adonai,
because He has been good to me.
There Is No God?
Psalm 14
1 For the music director, of David.
The fool said in his heart:
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt; their deeds are vile;
there is no one who does good.[p]
2 Adonai looked down from heaven on the children of men,
to see if there are any who understand,
who seek after God.
3 They all turned aside, became corrupt.
There is no one who does good
—not even one.
4 “Will evildoers never understand—
those who consume My people as they eat bread—
and never call on Adonai?”
5 There they are, in great dread.
For God is with the righteous generation.
6 You would frustrate the plan of the lowly.
Surely Adonai is his refuge!
7 O may He give Israel’s salvation out of Zion!
When Adonai restores His captive people,
Jacob will rejoice, Israel will be glad!
Walking with Integrity
Psalm 15
1 A psalm of David.
Adonai, who may dwell in Your tent?
Who may live on Your holy mountain?
2 The one who walks with integrity,
who does what is right,
and speaks truth in his heart,
3 who does not slander with his tongue,
does not wrong his neighbor,
and does not disgrace his friend,
4 who despises a vile person in his eyes,
but honors those who fear Adonai,
who keeps his oath even when it hurts,
and does not change,
5 who lends his money without usury,
and takes no bribe against the innocent.
One who does these things will never be shaken.
The Path of Eternal Life
Psalm 16
1 A Michtam of David.
Keep me safe, O God, for in You I have found shelter.
2 I said to Adonai: “You are my Lord—
I have no good apart from You.”
3 As for the kedoshim who are in the land,
they are noble—in them is all my delight.
4 As for those who run after another god,
may their sorrows multiply.
I will not pour out their drink offerings of blood,
nor lift up their names with my lips.
5 Adonai is my portion and my cup.
You cast my lot.
6 My boundary lines fall in pleasant places
—surely my heritage is beautiful.
7 I will bless Adonai, who counsels me.
Even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I have set Adonai always before me.
Since He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 So my heart is glad and my soul rejoices.
My body also rests secure.
10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol
nor let Your faithful one see the Pit.[q]
11 You make known to me the path of life.
Abundance of joys are in Your presence,
eternal pleasures at Your right hand.[r]
A Plea for Vindication
Psalm 17
1 A prayer of David.
Hear, Adonai, a just plea, listen to my cry!
Give ear to my prayer—from lips with no deceit.
2 From Your presence comes my vindication.
Your eyes see what is right.
3 You have examined my heart.
You searched me at night.
Though You test me, You find nothing.
I resolved that my mouth will not sin.
4 As for the deeds of mankind—
by the word of Your lips
I have kept out of the ways of the violent.
5 My steps have kept on Your paths.
My feet have not slipped.
6 I called upon You, O God,
for You will answer me.
Incline Your ear to me,
hear my speech.
7 Be wonderful with Your lovingkindness,
O Savior of those taking refuge at Your right hand
from those rising up against them.
8 Protect me like the pupil of the eye.
Hide me in the shadow of Your wings,
9 from the wicked who attack me—
my enemies, who surround me.
10 Their callous heart they shut tight.
With their mouth they speak proudly.
11 Our steps are now surrounded.
They set their eyes to throw us down to the ground,
12 like a lion eager to tear to pieces,
like a young lion crouching in cover.
13 Arise, Adonai! Confront him!
Make him bow down!
Deliver my soul from the wicked with Your sword,
14 from men, with Your hand, Adonai,
from men of the world whose portion is in this life.
You fill their belly with Your treasure
—with plenty of children—
and leave their surplus to their babes.
15 I in righteousness will behold Your face!
When I awake,
I will be satisfied with Your likeness.
Adonai lives! Blessed Be My Rock
Psalm 18
1 For the music director: a psalm of David the servant of Adonai. He chanted the words of this song to Adonai on the day Adonai delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul.
2 He said, I love You, Adonai my strength!
3 Adonai is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer.
My God is my rock, in Him I take refuge,
my shield, my horn of salvation, my stronghold.
4 I called upon Adonai, worthy of praise,
and I was rescued from my enemies.
5 Cords of death entangled me.
Torrents of Belial overwhelmed me.
6 Cords of Sheol coiled around me.
Snares of death came before me.
7 In my distress I called on Adonai,
and cried to my God for help.
From His Temple He heard my voice,
my cry before Him came into His ears.
8 Then the earth rocked and quaked.
The foundations of mountains trembled.
They reeled because He was angry.
9 Smoke rose from His nostrils
and consuming fire from His mouth.
Coals blazed from Him.
10 He parted the heavens and came down,
with thick darkness under His feet.
11 He rode upon a cheruv and flew.
He soared on the wings of the wind.
12 He made darkness His cover,
His sukkah all around Him—
dark waters, thick clouds.
13 Out of the brilliance before Him
passed His thick clouds, hail and fiery coals.
14 Adonai also thundered in the heavens,
and Elyon gave forth His voice, hail and fiery coals.
15 He shot His arrows and scattered them,
hurled lightning bolts and routed them.
16 Then ravines of water appeared.
The foundations of earth were exposed,
at Your rebuke, Adonai,
at a blast of breath from Your nostrils.
17 He reached down from on high
and took hold of me.
He drew me out of mighty waters.
18 He saved me from my powerful enemy,
from those who hated me—
for they were much stronger than me.
19 They came against me in my day of calamity,
but Adonai was my support.
20 He brought me out to a wide-open place.
He rescued me since He delighted in me.
21 Adonai rewarded me for my righteousness.
For the cleanness of my hands He repaid me.
22 For I kept the ways of Adonai,
and did not turn wickedly from my God.
23 For all His judgments are before me.
I do not put His rulings away from me.
24 I also had integrity with Him,
and kept myself from my sin.
25 So Adonai rewarded me for my righteousness,
for the cleanness of my hands in His eyes.
26 With the loyal You deal loyally.
With the blameless You are blameless.
27 With the pure You are pure,
and with the crooked You are shrewd.
28 For You save lowly people,
but haughty eyes You humble.
29 For You light up my lamp.
Adonai my God shines in my darkness.
30 For with You I rush on a troop,
with my God I scale a wall.
31 As for God, His way is perfect.
The word of Adonai is pure.
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
32 For who is God, except Adonai?
And who is a Rock, except our God?
33 God girds me with strength
and makes my way straight.
34 He makes my feet like those of deer
and makes me stand on my heights.
35 He trains my hands for battle,
so my arms can bend a bronze bow.
36 You gave me the shield of Your salvation.
Your right hand upholds me,
Your gentleness makes me great.
37 You broaden my steps beneath me,
so my ankles have not slipped.
38 I pursue my enemies and overtake them,
and will not return till they are wiped out.
39 I will crush them till they cannot rise,
till they fall beneath my feet.
40 For You girded me with strength for battle.
You made those who rose up against me bow down before me.
41 You also made my enemies turn their backs to me.
I cut off those who hate me.
42 They cry out, but there is none to save
—even to Adonai, but He did not answer them.
43 Then I beat them as fine as dust before the wind.
I pour them out like mud in the streets.
44 You free me from strifes of the people.
You set me as head of the nations—
people I did not know are serving me.
45 As soon as they hear, they obey me.
Children of foreigners cringe before me.
46 Children of foreigners lose heart
and come trembling from their hideouts.
47 Adonai lives! And blessed be my Rock!
Exalted be God my salvation!
48 God—He gives me vengeance
and subdues peoples under me.
49 He delivers me from my enemies.
Indeed You lift me up above those who rise up against me.
You deliver me from the violent man.
50 Therefore I praise You among the nations,
Adonai, and sing praises to Your Name.[s]
51 Great victories He gives to His king.
He shows loyal love to His anointed—
to David and his seed, forever.
Glory from Heaven and Torah
Psalm 19
1 For the music director, a psalm of David.
2 The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky shows His handiwork.
3 Day to day they speak,
night to night they reveal knowledge.
4 There is no speech, no words,
where their voice goes unheard.
5 Their voice has gone out to all the earth
and their words to the end of the world.[t]
In the heavens He pitched a tent for the sun.
6 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his bridal chamber.
It is like a strong man rejoicing to run his course.
7 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other end.
Nothing is hidden from its heat.
8 The Torah of Adonai is perfect,
restoring the soul.
The testimony of Adonai is trustworthy,
making the simple wise.
9 The precepts of Adonai are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The mitzvot of Adonai are pure,
giving light to the eyes.
10 The fear of Adonai is clean,
enduring forever.
The judgments of Adonai are true
and altogether righteous.
11 They are more desirable than gold,
yes, more than much pure gold!
They are sweeter than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
12 Moreover by them Your servant is warned.
In keeping them there is great reward.
13 Who can discern his errors?
Cleanse me of hidden faults.
14 Also keep Your servant from willful sins.
May they not have dominion over me.
Then I will be blameless,
free from great transgression.
15 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable before You,
Adonai, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Adonai-Nissi
Psalm 20
1 For the music director, a psalm of David.
2 May Adonai answer you in the day of trouble!
May the Name of the God of Jacob set you up securely on high.
3 May He send you help from the Sanctuary
and support you from Zion.
4 May He remember all your meal offerings
and accept the fat of your burnt offering. Selah
5 May He grant you your heart’s desire
and fulfill all your plans.
6 We will shout for joy in your victory
and lift up our banners in the Name of our God!
May Adonai fulfill all your petitions.
7 Now I know that Adonai saves His anointed.
He answers him from His holy heaven with saving strength of His right hand.
8 Some have chariots, some have horses,
but we remember the Name of Adonai our God.
9 They have collapsed and fallen,
but we rise up and support each other.
10 Adonai, save the king!
Answer us on the day we call!
The Victorious King
Psalm 21
1 For the music director, a psalm of David.
2 Adonai, the king rejoices in Your strength!
How greatly he delights in Your salvation.
3 You granted him his heart’s desire,
and You did not withhold the request of his lips. Selah
4 For You met him with the best blessings.
You set on his head a crown of pure gold.
5 He asked You for life, You gave it to him,
length of days forever and ever.
6 His glory is great through Your salvation.
Honor and majesty You bestow on him.
7 For You bestow on him eternal blessings,
gladden him with joy in Your presence.
8 For the king trusts in Adonai,
and in the lovingkindness of Elyon
he will not be shaken.
9 Your hand will find all your enemies.
Your right hand will overtake those who hate You.
10 You will make them like a fiery furnace
at the time of your appearing.
In His wrath Adonai will swallow them up
and fire will consume them.
11 You destroy their offspring from earth,
their seed from the children of men.
12 Though they intended evil against You
and devised a plot, they cannot succeed.
13 For You make them turn their backs.
You aim Your bowstrings at their faces.
14 Be exalted, Adonai, in Your strength!
We will sing and praise Your might.
Suffering Servant
Psalm 22
1 For the music director, on “The Doe of the Dawn,” a psalm of David.
2 My God, my God,
why have You forsaken me?
Distant from my salvation
are the words of my groaning.[u]
3 O my God, I cried out by day, but You did not answer,
by night, but there was no rest for me.
4 Yet You are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
5 In You our fathers put their trust.
They trusted, and You delivered them.
6 They cried to you and were delivered.
In You they trusted, and were not disappointed.
7 Am I a worm, and not a man?
Am I a scorn of men, despised by people?
8 All who see me mock me.
They curl their lips, shaking their heads:
9 “Rely on Adonai! Let Him deliver him!
Let Him rescue him—since he delights in Him!”[v]
10 Yet You brought me out of the womb,
made me secure at my mother’s breasts.
11 From the womb I was cast on You—
from my mother’s womb You have been my God.
12 Be not far from me!
For trouble is near—
there is no one to help.
13 Many bulls have surrounded me.
Strong bulls of Bashan encircled me.
14 They open wide their mouths against me,
like a tearing, roaring lion.
15 I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are disjointed.
My heart is like wax—
melting within my innards.
16 My strength is dried up like a clay pot,
my tongue clings to my jaws.
You lay me in the dust of death.
17 For dogs have surrounded me.
A band of evildoers has closed in on me.
They pierced[w] my hands and my feet.
18 I can count all my bones.
They stare, they gape at me.
19 They divide my clothes among them,
and cast lots for my garment.[x]
20 But You, Adonai, be not far off!
O my strength! Come quickly to my aid!
21 Deliver my soul from the sword—
my only one from the power of the dog.
22 Save me from the lion’s mouth.
From the horns of the wild oxen rescue me.
23 I will declare Your Name to my brothers.
I will praise You amid the congregation.[y]
24 You who fear Adonai, praise Him!
All Jacob’s descendants, glorify Him!
Revere Him, all you seed of Israel.
25 For He has not despised or disdained the suffering of the lowly one.
Nor has He hidden His face from him,
but when he cried to Him, He heard.
26 From You is my praise in the great assembly.
I will fulfill my vows before those who fear Him.
27 Let the poor eat and be satisfied.
Let them who seek after Him praise Adonai.
May your hearts live forever!
28 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to Adonai.
All the families of the nations will bow down before You.
29 For the kingdom belongs to Adonai,
and He rules over the nations.
30 All the rich of the earth will feast and worship.
Everyone who goes down to the dust will kneel before Him—
even the one who could not keep his own soul alive.
31 His posterity will serve him, telling
the next generation about my Lord.
32 They will come and declare His righteousness
to a people yet to be born—
because He has done it!
Adonai-Ro-eh
Psalm 23
1 A psalm of David.
Adonai is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for His Name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for You are with me:
Your rod and Your staff comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You have anointed my head with oil, my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the House of Adonai forever.
The King of Glory
Psalm 24
1 A psalm of David.
The earth is Adonai’s and all that fills it—[z]
the world, and those dwelling on it.
2 For He founded it upon the seas,
and established it upon the rivers.
3 Who may go up on the mountain of Adonai?
Who may stand in His holy place?
4 One with clean hands and a pure heart,
who has not lifted his soul in vain,
nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He will receive a blessing from Adonai,
righteousness from God his salvation.
6 Such is the generation seeking Him,
seeking Your face, even Jacob! Selah
7 Lift up your heads, O gates,
and be lifted up, you everlasting doors:
that the King of glory may come in.
8 “Who is this King of glory?”
Adonai strong and mighty,
Adonai mighty in battle!
9 Lift up your heads, O gates,
and lift them up, you everlasting doors:
that the King of glory may come in.
10 “Who is this King of glory?”
Adonai-Tzva’ot—He is the King of glory! Selah
Teach Me Your Paths
Psalm 25
1 Of David.
To You, Adonai, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in You I trust,
so I will not be ashamed,
and my enemies will not gloat over me.
3 Surely no one who waits for You will be ashamed.
But the treacherous without cause will be ashamed.
4 Show me Your ways, Adonai.
Teach me Your paths.
5 Guide me in Your truth, and teach me,
for You are God, my salvation,
for You I wait all day.
6 Remember, Adonai,
Your compassions and Your mercies—
for they are from eternity.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my rebellion.
According to Your mercy remember me,
for the sake of Your goodness, Adonai.
8 Good and upright is Adonai.
Therefore He directs sinners in the way.
9 He guides the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble His way.
10 All Adonai’s ways are lovingkindness
and truth
to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.
11 For Your Name’s sake, Adonai,
pardon my guilt, for it is great.
12 Who is this man who fears Adonai?
He will instruct him in the way he should choose.
13 His soul abides in goodness,
and his offspring will inherit the land.
14 The secret of Adonai is for those who fear Him.
He makes His covenant known to them.
15 My eyes are always looking to Adonai,
for He will pull my feet out of the net.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart increase.
Bring me out of my distress.
18 See my affliction and my suffering,
and take away all my sins.
19 See my enemies, how many they are—
they hate me with violent hatred.
20 Guard my soul and deliver me.
Let me not be ashamed, for I take refuge in You.
21 May integrity and uprightness protect me—
for I wait for You.
22 Redeem Israel, O God,
from all their troubles.
Walking with Integrity
Psalm 26
1 Of David.
Vindicate me, Adonai,
for I have walked in my integrity,
and trusted in Adonai without wavering.
2 Probe me, Adonai, and test me,
refine my mind and my heart.
3 For Your love is before my eyes
and I have walked in Your truth.
4 I have not sat with men of falsehood,
nor do I consort with hypocrites.
5 I detest the company of evildoers,
and do not sit with the wicked.
6 I will wash my hands in innocence,
so I can walk around Your altar, Adonai,
7 hearing the voice of thanksgiving
while proclaiming all Your wonders.
8 Adonai, I love the House where You live,
the place where Your glory dwells.
9 Do not take my soul away with sinners,
nor my life with people of bloodshed—
10 in whose hands are wicked schemes,
whose right hand is full of bribes.
11 But I—I will walk in my integrity.
Redeem me and be gracious to me.
12 My feet stand on level ground.
In congregations I will bless Adonai.
Let Your Heart Take Courage
Psalm 27
1 Of David.
Adonai is my light and my salvation:
whom should I fear?
Adonai is the stronghold of my life:
whom should I dread?
2 When evildoers approached me to devour my flesh
—my adversaries and my foes—they stumbled and fell.
3 Though an army camp besieges me, my heart will not fear.
Though war breaks out against me, even then will I be confident.
4 One thing have I asked of Adonai,
that will I seek:
to dwell in the House of Adonai
all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of Adonai,
and to meditate in His Temple.
5 For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His sukkah,
conceal me in the shelter of His tent,
and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then will my head be high above my enemies around me.
In His Tabernacle I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy.
I will sing, yes, sing praises to Adonai.
7 Hear, Adonai, when I call with my voice,
be gracious to me and answer me.
8 To You my heart says: “Seek My face.”
Your face, Adonai, I seek.
9 Do not hide Your face from me.
Do not turn Your servant away in anger.
You have been my help.
Do not abandon me or forsake me,
O God my salvation.
10 Though my father and my mother
forsake me, Adonai will take me in.
11 Teach me Your way, Adonai,
and lead me on a level path—
because of my enemies.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes.
For false witnesses rise up against me,
breathing out violence.
13 Surely I trust that I will see the goodness
of Adonai in the land of the living.
14 Wait for Adonai.
Be strong, let Your heart take courage,
and wait for Adonai.
Hoshia-na!
Psalm 28
1 Of David.
To You, Adonai, I call—
my Rock, do not be deaf to me.
If You were silent to me,
I would become like those going down to the Pit.
2 Hear the sound of my pleas,
when I cry to You for help,
when I lift up my hands toward Your holy Sanctuary.
3 Do not drag me away with the wicked and with doers of iniquity,
who speak peace with their neighbors,
while evil is in their hearts.
4 Repay them for their deeds, their evil acts.
Repay them for the deeds of their hands.
Bring back on them what they deserve.
5 Since they show no regard for the deeds of Adonai
nor the work of His hands,
He will tear them down
and never build them up.
6 Blessed be Adonai, because He has heard
the sound of my supplications.
7 Adonai is my strength and my shield.[aa]
My heart trusts in Him, and I was helped.
Therefore my heart leaps for joy,
and I will praise Him with my song.
8 Adonai is their strength—
a stronghold of salvation for His anointed.
9 Save Your people, bless Your inheritance,
shepherd them and carry them forever.
God Thunders Throughout Creation
Psalm 29
1 A psalm of David.
Ascribe to Adonai, O sons of God,
ascribe to Adonai glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to Adonai the glory of His Name.
Bow down to Adonai in the beauty of holiness.
3 The voice of Adonai is over the waters.
The God of glory thunders—
Adonai is over mighty waters.
4 The voice of Adonai is powerful.
The voice of Adonai is full of majesty.
5 The voice of Adonai breaks the cedars.
Yes, Adonai shatters cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of Adonai hews out flames of fire.
8 The voice of Adonai shakes the desert.
Adonai shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of Adonai makes the deer writhe in birth
and strips forests bare,
and in His Temple all are saying, “Glory!”
10 Adonai sits enthroned over the flood.
Yes, Adonai sits as King forever.
11 Adonai gives strength to His people.
Adonai blesses His people with shalom.
Footnotes
- Psalm 2:2 Hebraically, usurping power.
- Psalm 2:2 cf. Mark 3:6.
- Psalm 2:2 Heb. Mashiach, or Messiah. cf. John 1:41.
- Psalm 2:7 cf. Matt. 3:17.
- Psalm 2:9 cf. Rev. 12:5, 19:15.
- Psalm 2:9 cf. Rev. 2:27.
- Psalm 3:9 cf. Rev. 7:10.
- Psalm 4:5 cf. Eph. 4:26.
- Psalm 5:10 cf. Rom. 3:13.
- Psalm 7:15 cf. Jacob 1:15.
- Psalm 8:3 cf. Matt. 21:16.
- Psalm 8:5 cf. Heb. 2:6.
- Psalm 8:7 cf. 1 Cor. 15:27; Heb. 2:8.
- Psalm 10:7 cf. Job 20:12; Rom. 3:14.
- Psalm 11:4 cf. Matt. 5:34; Acts 7:49; Rev. 4:2.
- Psalm 14:1 cf. Rom. 3:10-12.
- Psalm 16:10 cf. Acts. 13:35.
- Psalm 16:11 cf. Acts 2:25-28.
- Psalm 18:50 cf. Rom. 15:9.
- Psalm 19:5 cf. Rom. 10:18.
- Psalm 22:2 cf. Matt. 27:46; Mark 15:34.
- Psalm 22:9 cf. Matt. 27:43.
- Psalm 22:17 Or, is like a lion.
- Psalm 22:19 cf. Matt. 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34; John 19:24.
- Psalm 22:23 cf. Heb. 2:12.
- Psalm 24:1 cf. Deut. 10:24; Ps. 89:11; 1 Cor. 10:26.
- Psalm 28:7 cf. Eph. 6:16.
Tree of Life (TLV) Translation of the Bible. Copyright © 2015 by The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.