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Psalm 87

A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A Song.

The city of His foundation is on the holy mountain.
The Lord loves the gates of Zion
    more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.

Glorious things are spoken of you,
    O city of God. Selah.
I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon
    to those who know Me;
look, Philistia and Tyre with Ethiopia;
    “This man was born there.”
But of Zion it shall be said,
    “This one and that one were born in her,”
    for the Most High shall make her secure.
The Lord shall count when He registers the people,
    “This one was born there.” Selah

As well the singers and the players of instruments say,
    “All my springs are in you.”

Psalm 87

Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. A song.

He has founded his city on the holy mountain.(A)
The Lord loves the gates of Zion(B)
    more than all the other dwellings of Jacob.

Glorious things are said of you,
    city of God:[a](C)
“I will record Rahab[b](D) and Babylon
    among those who acknowledge me—
Philistia(E) too, and Tyre(F), along with Cush[c]
    and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’”[d](G)
Indeed, of Zion it will be said,
    “This one and that one were born in her,
    and the Most High himself will establish her.”
The Lord will write in the register(H) of the peoples:
    “This one was born in Zion.”

As they make music(I) they will sing,
    “All my fountains(J) are in you.”

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 87:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 6.
  2. Psalm 87:4 A poetic name for Egypt
  3. Psalm 87:4 That is, the upper Nile region
  4. Psalm 87:4 Or “I will record concerning those who acknowledge me: / ‘This one was born in Zion.’ / Hear this, Rahab and Babylon, / and you too, Philistia, Tyre and Cush.”

BOOK FOUR

Psalms 90–106

Psalm 90

A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.

Lord, You have been our dwelling place
    in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
    or You had formed the earth and the world,
    even from everlasting to everlasting You are God.

You return man to the dust
    and say, “Return, you children of men.”
For a thousand years in Your sight
    are but as yesterday when it is past,
    or as a night watch in the night time.
You carry them away as with a flood;
    they are as a dream, like renewed grass in the morning:
In the morning it flourishes and grows up;
    in the evening it fades and withers.

For we are consumed by Your anger,
    and by Your wrath we are terrified.
You have set our iniquities before You,
    even our secret sins in the light of Your presence.
For all our days pass away in your wrath;
    we end our years with a groan.
10 The years of our life are seventy,
    and if by reason of strength eighty;
yet their length is toil and sorrow,
    for they soon end, and we fly away.
11 Who knows the power of Your anger?
    Or Your wrath according to Your fear?
12 So teach us to number our days,
    that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.

13 Return, O Lord, how long?
    Have mercy on Your servants.
14 Satisfy us in the early morning with Your mercy,
    that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad according to the days that You have afflicted us,
    and the years that we have seen evil.
16 Let Your work be displayed to Your servants
    and Your glory to their children.

17 Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us,
    and establish the work of our hands among us;
    yes, establish the work of our hands.

BOOK IV

Psalms 90–106

Psalm 90

A prayer of Moses the man of God.

Lord, you have been our dwelling place(A)
    throughout all generations.
Before the mountains were born(B)
    or you brought forth the whole world,
    from everlasting to everlasting(C) you are God.(D)

You turn people back to dust,
    saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.”(E)
A thousand years in your sight
    are like a day that has just gone by,
    or like a watch in the night.(F)
Yet you sweep people away(G) in the sleep of death—
    they are like the new grass of the morning:
In the morning it springs up new,
    but by evening it is dry and withered.(H)

We are consumed by your anger
    and terrified by your indignation.
You have set our iniquities before you,
    our secret sins(I) in the light of your presence.(J)
All our days pass away under your wrath;
    we finish our years with a moan.(K)
10 Our days may come to seventy years,(L)
    or eighty,(M) if our strength endures;
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,(N)
    for they quickly pass, and we fly away.(O)
11 If only we knew the power of your anger!
    Your wrath(P) is as great as the fear that is your due.(Q)
12 Teach us to number our days,(R)
    that we may gain a heart of wisdom.(S)

13 Relent, Lord! How long(T) will it be?
    Have compassion on your servants.(U)
14 Satisfy(V) us in the morning with your unfailing love,(W)
    that we may sing for joy(X) and be glad all our days.(Y)
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
    for as many years as we have seen trouble.
16 May your deeds be shown to your servants,
    your splendor to their children.(Z)

17 May the favor[a] of the Lord our God rest on us;
    establish the work of our hands for us—
    yes, establish the work of our hands.(AA)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 90:17 Or beauty

Psalm 136

Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good,
    for His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks unto the God of gods,
    for His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords,
    for His mercy endures forever:

to Him who alone does great wonders,
    for His mercy endures forever;
to Him who by wisdom made the heavens,
    for His mercy endures forever;
to Him who stretched out the earth above the waters,
    for His mercy endures forever;
to Him who made the great heavenly lights,
    for His mercy endures forever;
the sun to rule over the day,
    for His mercy endures forever;
the moon and stars to rule over the night,
    for His mercy endures forever;

10 to Him who struck down in Egypt their firstborn,
    for His mercy endures forever;
11 and brought out Israel from among them,
    for His mercy endures forever;
12 with a strong hand and a stretched-out arm,
    for His mercy endures forever;

13 to Him who divided the Red Sea into two,
    for His mercy endures forever;
14 and made Israel to pass through the midst of it,
    for His mercy endures forever;
15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
    for His mercy endures forever;

16 to Him who led His people through the wilderness,
    for His mercy endures forever;

17 to Him who struck down great kings,
    for His mercy endures forever;
18 and slew mighty kings,
    for His mercy endures forever;
19 Sihon king of the Amorites,
    for His mercy endures forever;
20 and Og king of Bashan,
    for His mercy endures forever;
21 and gave their land for a possession,
    for His mercy endures forever;
22 even an inheritance to Israel His servant,
    for His mercy endures forever.

23 Who remembered us in our low place,
    for His mercy endures forever;
24 and has redeemed us from our enemies,
    for His mercy endures forever;
25 who gives food to all people,
    for His mercy endures forever.

26 Give thanks unto the God of heaven,
    for His mercy endures forever.

Psalm 136

Give thanks(A) to the Lord, for he is good.(B)
His love endures forever.(C)
Give thanks(D) to the God of gods.(E)
His love endures forever.
Give thanks(F) to the Lord of lords:(G)
His love endures forever.

to him who alone does great wonders,(H)
His love endures forever.
who by his understanding(I) made the heavens,(J)
His love endures forever.
who spread out the earth(K) upon the waters,(L)
His love endures forever.
who made the great lights(M)
His love endures forever.
the sun to govern(N) the day,
His love endures forever.
the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.

10 to him who struck down the firstborn(O) of Egypt
His love endures forever.
11 and brought Israel out(P) from among them
His love endures forever.
12 with a mighty hand(Q) and outstretched arm;(R)
His love endures forever.

13 to him who divided the Red Sea[a](S) asunder
His love endures forever.
14 and brought Israel through(T) the midst of it,
His love endures forever.
15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;(U)
His love endures forever.

16 to him who led his people through the wilderness;(V)
His love endures forever.

17 to him who struck down great kings,(W)
His love endures forever.
18 and killed mighty kings(X)
His love endures forever.
19 Sihon king of the Amorites(Y)
His love endures forever.
20 and Og king of Bashan(Z)
His love endures forever.
21 and gave their land(AA) as an inheritance,(AB)
His love endures forever.
22 an inheritance(AC) to his servant Israel.(AD)
His love endures forever.

23 He remembered us(AE) in our low estate
His love endures forever.
24 and freed us(AF) from our enemies.(AG)
His love endures forever.
25 He gives food(AH) to every creature.
His love endures forever.

26 Give thanks(AI) to the God of heaven.(AJ)
His love endures forever.(AK)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 136:13 Or the Sea of Reeds; also in verse 15

The Downfall of Abimelek

22 After Abimelek ruled over Israel for three years, 23 God sent an evil spirit between Abimelek and the leaders of Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelek, 24 so that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerub-Baal and their blood might come back upon Abimelek their brother, who killed them, and upon the leaders of Shechem, who empowered him to kill his brothers. 25 The leaders of Shechem set ambushes against him on the hilltops and robbed all who passed by them on the road. This was told to Abimelek.

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22 After Abimelek had governed Israel three years, 23 God stirred up animosity(A) between Abimelek and the citizens of Shechem so that they acted treacherously against Abimelek. 24 God did this in order that the crime against Jerub-Baal’s seventy sons,(B) the shedding(C) of their blood, might be avenged(D) on their brother Abimelek and on the citizens of Shechem, who had helped him(E) murder his brothers. 25 In opposition to him these citizens of Shechem set men on the hilltops to ambush and rob everyone who passed by, and this was reported to Abimelek.

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50 Then Abimelek went to Thebez and encamped against Thebez and captured it. 51 But there was a fortified tower within the city, so all of the men and women and the leaders of the city fled there. They shut themselves in and went up to the top of the tower. 52 Abimelek came to the tower and fought against it. But as he drew near to the tower entrance to burn it with fire, 53 a certain woman dropped an upper millstone on the head of Abimelek, and it crushed his skull.

54 Urgently he called to the young man who carried his gear and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, so that people may not say about me, ‘A woman killed him.’ ” So the young man pierced him through, and he died. 55 Then the men of Israel saw that Abimelek was dead, so everyone went home.

56 Thus God repaid the wickedness of Abimelek, which he committed against his father by killing his seventy brothers. 57 God also repaid the evil deeds of the men of Shechem, and the curse of Jotham son of Jerub-Baal came upon them.

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50 Next Abimelek went to Thebez(A) and besieged it and captured it. 51 Inside the city, however, was a strong tower, to which all the men and women—all the people of the city—had fled. They had locked themselves in and climbed up on the tower roof. 52 Abimelek went to the tower and attacked it. But as he approached the entrance to the tower to set it on fire, 53 a woman dropped an upper millstone on his head and cracked his skull.(B)

54 Hurriedly he called to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and kill me,(C) so that they can’t say, ‘A woman killed him.’” So his servant ran him through, and he died. 55 When the Israelites saw that Abimelek was dead, they went home.

56 Thus God repaid the wickedness that Abimelek had done to his father by murdering his seventy brothers. 57 God also made the people of Shechem pay for all their wickedness.(D) The curse of Jotham(E) son of Jerub-Baal came on them.

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All Things in Common

32 All the believers were of one heart and one soul, and no one said that what he possessed was his own. But to them all things were in common. 33 With great power the apostles testified to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on them all. 34 There was no one among them who lacked, for all those who were owners of land or houses sold them, and brought the income from what was sold, 35 and placed it at the apostles’ feet. And it was distributed to each according to his need.

36 Joseph, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means, Son of Encouragement), a Levite from the land of Cyprus, 37 sold a field he owned, and brought the money and placed it at the apostles’ feet.

Ananias and Sapphira

Now a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. He kept back part of the proceeds with his wife’s knowledge, and brought a part of it and placed it at the apostles’ feet.

Then Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to deceive the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, was it not your own? And when it was sold, was it not under your authority? Why have you conceived this deed in your heart? You did not lie to men, but to God.”

On hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died. And great fear came on all those who heard these things. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.

About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for this amount?”

She said, “Yes, for that much.”

Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”

10 At once she fell down at his feet and died. Upon entering, the young men found her dead and carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear came on the entire church and on all those who heard these things.

The Believers Share Their Possessions

32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.(A) 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify(B) to the resurrection(C) of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace(D) was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them,(E) brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet,(F) and it was distributed to anyone who had need.(G)

36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas(H) (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.(I)

Ananias and Sapphira

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself,(J) but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.(K)

Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan(L) has so filled your heart(M) that you have lied to the Holy Spirit(N) and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?(O) Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal?(P) What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”(Q)

When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died.(R) And great fear(S) seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body,(T) and carried him out and buried him.

About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”

“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”(U)

Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord?(V) Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died.(W) Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.(X) 11 Great fear(Y) seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

The Cleansing of the Temple(A)

13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple He found those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the moneychangers sitting there. 15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. He poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. 16 He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house will consume Me.”[a]

18 Then the Jews said to Him, “What sign do You show us, seeing that You do these things?”

19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

20 Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” 21 But He was speaking concerning the temple of His body. 22 Therefore, when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them. And they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.

Jesus Knows All Men

23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. 24 But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, because He knew all men, 25 and did not need anyone to bear witness of man, for He knew what was in man.

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Footnotes

  1. John 2:17 Ps 69:9.

Jesus Clears the Temple Courts(A)

13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover,(B) Jesus went up to Jerusalem.(C) 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves,(D) and others sitting at tables exchanging money.(E) 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house(F) into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”[a](G)

18 The Jews(H) then responded to him, “What sign(I) can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”(J)

19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”(K)

20 They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body.(L) 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said.(M) Then they believed the scripture(N) and the words that Jesus had spoken.

23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival,(O) many people saw the signs(P) he was performing and believed(Q) in his name.[b] 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind,(R) for he knew what was in each person.(S)

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Footnotes

  1. John 2:17 Psalm 69:9
  2. John 2:23 Or in him