Psalm 91

International Children’s Bible

Safe in the Lord

91 Those who go to God Most High for safety
will be protected by God All-Powerful.
²I will say to the Lord, “You are my place of safety and protection.
You are my God, and I trust you.”

³God will save you from hidden traps
    and from deadly diseases.
⁴He will protect you like a bird
    spreading its wings over its young.
    His truth will be like your armor and shield.
⁵You will not fear any danger by night
    or an arrow during the day.
⁶You will not be afraid of diseases that come in the dark
    or sickness that strikes at noon.
⁷At your side 1,000 people may die,
    or even 10,000 right beside you.
    But you will not be hurt.
⁸You will only watch what happens.
    You will see the wicked punished.

⁹The Lord is your protection.
    You have made God Most High your place of safety.
¹⁰Nothing bad will happen to you.
    No disaster will come to your home.
¹¹He has put his angels in charge of you.
    They will watch over you wherever you go.
¹²They will catch you with their hands.
    And you will not hit your foot on a rock.
¹³You will walk on lions and cobras.
    You will step on strong lions and snakes.

¹⁴The Lord says, “If someone loves me, I will save him.
    I will protect those who know me.
¹⁵They will call to me, and I will answer them.
    I will be with them in trouble.
    I will rescue them and honor them.
¹⁶I will give them a long, full life.
    They will see how I can save.”

Psalm 40

International Children’s Bible

Praise and Prayer for Help

For the director of music. A song of David.

40 I waited patiently for the Lord.
    He turned to me and heard my cry.
²He lifted me out of the pit of destruction,
    out of the sticky mud.
He stood me on a rock.
    He made my feet steady.
³He put a new song in my mouth.
    It was a song of praise to our God.
Many people will see this and worship him.
    Then they will trust the Lord.

⁴Happy is the person
    who trusts the Lord.
He doesn’t turn to those who are proud,
    to those who worship false gods.
⁵Lord our God, you have done many miracles.
    Your plans for us are many.
If I tried to tell them all,
    there would be too many to count.

⁶You do not want sacrifices and offerings.
    But you have made a hole in my ear
    to show that my body and life are yours.
You do not ask for burnt offerings
    and offerings to take away sins.
⁷Then I said, “Look, I have come.
    It is written about me in the book.
⁸My God, I want to do what you want.
    Your teachings are in my heart.”

⁹I will tell about your goodness in the great meeting of your people.
    Lord, you know my lips are not silent.
¹⁰I do not hide your goodness in my heart.
    I speak about your loyalty and salvation.
I do not hide your love and truth
    from the people in the great meeting.

¹¹Lord, do not hold back your mercy from me.
    Let your love and truth always protect me.
¹²Troubles have gathered around me.
    There are too many to count.
My sins have caught me.
    I cannot see a way to escape.
I have more sins than hairs on my head.
    I have lost my courage.
¹³Please, Lord, save me.
    Hurry, Lord, to help me.
¹⁴People are trying to kill me.
    Shame them and disgrace them.
People want to hurt me.
    Let them run away in disgrace.
¹⁵People are making fun of me.
    Let them be shamed into silence.
¹⁶But let those who follow you
    be happy and glad.
They love you for saving them.
    May they always say, “Praise the Lord!”

¹⁷Lord, I am poor and helpless.
But please remember me.
You are my helper and savior.
My God, do not wait.

Psalm 131

International Children’s Bible

Childlike Trust in God

A song for going up to worship. Of David.

131 Lord, my heart is not proud.
    I don’t look down on others.
I don’t do great things,
    and I can’t do miracles.
²But I am calm and quiet.
    I am like a baby with its mother.
    I am at peace, like a baby with its mother.