Psalm 1-8
Contemporary English Version
BOOK I
(Psalms 1–41)
The Way to Happiness
1 God blesses those people
who refuse evil advice
and won't follow sinners
or join in sneering at God.
2 Instead, they find happiness
in the Teaching of the Lord,
and they think about it
day and night.
3 (A) They are like trees
growing beside a stream,
trees that produce
fruit in season
and always have leaves.
Those people succeed
in everything they do.
4 That isn't true of those
who are evil—
they are like straw
blown by the wind.
5 Sinners won't have an excuse
on the day of judgment,
and they won't have a place
with the people of God.
6 The Lord protects everyone
who follows him,
but the wicked follow a road
that leads to ruin.
The Lord's Chosen King
1 (B) Why do the nations plot,[a]
and why do their people
make useless plans?[b]
2 The kings of this earth
have all joined together
to turn against the Lord
and his chosen king.
3 They say, “Let's cut the ropes
and set ourselves free!”
4 In heaven the Lord laughs
as he sits on his throne,
making fun of the nations.
5 The Lord becomes furious
and threatens them.
His anger terrifies them
as he says,
6 “I've put my king on Zion,
my sacred hill.”
7 (C) I will tell the promise
that the Lord made to me:
“You are my son, because today
I have become your father.
8 Ask me for the nations,
and every nation on earth
will belong to you.
9 (D) You will smash them
with an iron rod
and shatter them
like dishes of clay.”
10 Be smart, all you rulers,
and pay close attention.
11 Serve and honor the Lord;
be glad and tremble.
12 Show respect to his son
because if you don't,
the Lord might become furious
and suddenly destroy you.[c]
But he blesses and protects
everyone who runs to him.
(Written by David when he was running from his son Absalom.)
An Early Morning Prayer
1 (E) I have a lot of enemies, Lord.
Many fight against 2 me and say,
“God won't rescue you!”
3 But you are my shield,
and you give me victory
and great honor.
4 I pray to you, and you answer
from your sacred hill.
5 I sleep and wake up refreshed
because you, Lord,
protect me.
6 Ten thousand enemies attack
from every side,
but I am not afraid.
7 Come and save me, Lord God!
Break my enemies' jaws
and shatter their teeth,
8 because you protect
and bless your people.
(A psalm by David for the music leader. Use stringed instruments.)
An Evening Prayer
1 You are my God and protector.
Please answer my prayer.
I was in terrible distress,
but you set me free.
Now have pity and listen
as I pray.
2 How long will you people
refuse to respect me?[d]
You love foolish things,
and you run after
what is worthless.[e]
3 The Lord has chosen
everyone who is faithful
to be his very own,[f]
and he answers my prayers.
4 (F) But each of you
had better tremble
and turn from your sins.
Silently search your heart
as you lie in bed.
5 Offer the proper sacrifices
and trust the Lord.
6 There are some who ask,
“Who will be good to us?”
Let your kindness, Lord,
shine brightly on us.
7 You brought me more happiness
than a rich harvest
of grain and grapes.
8 I can lie down
and sleep soundly
because you, Lord,
will keep me safe.
(A psalm by David for the music leader. Use flutes.)
A Prayer for Help
1 Listen, Lord, as I pray!
Pay attention when I groan.[g]
2 You are my King and my God.
Answer my cry for help
because I pray to you.
3 Each morning you listen
to my prayer,
as I bring my requests[h] to you
and wait for your reply.
4 You are not the kind of God
who is pleased with evil.
Sinners can't stay with you.
5 No one who boasts can stand
in your presence, Lord,
and you hate evil people.
6 You destroy every liar,
and you despise violence
and deceit.
7 Because of your great mercy,
I come to your house, Lord,
and I am filled with wonder
as I bow down to worship
at your holy temple.
8 You do what is right,
and I ask you to guide me.
Make your teaching clear
because of my enemies.
9 (G) Nothing they say is true!
They just want to destroy.
Their words are deceitful
like a hidden pit,
and their tongues are good
only for telling lies.
10 Punish them, God,
and let their own plans
bring their downfall.
Get rid of them!
They keep committing crimes
and turning against you.
11 Let all who run to you
for protection
always sing joyful songs.
Provide shelter for those
who truly love you
and let them rejoice.
12 Our Lord, you bless those
who live right,
and you shield them
with your kindness.
(A psalm by David for the music leader. Use stringed instruments.[i])
A Prayer in Time of Trouble
1 (H) Don't punish me, Lord,
or even correct me
when you are angry!
2 Have pity on me and heal
my feeble body.
My bones tremble with fear,
3 and I am in deep distress.
How long will it be?
4 Turn and come to my rescue.
Show your wonderful love
and save me, Lord.
5 If I die, I cannot praise you
or even remember you.
6 My groaning has worn me out.
At night my bed and pillow
are soaked with tears.
7 Sorrow has made my eyes dim,
and my sight has failed
because of my enemies.
8 (I) You, Lord, heard my crying,
and those hateful people
had better leave me alone.
9 You have answered my prayer
and my plea for mercy.
10 My enemies will be ashamed
and terrified,
as they quickly run away
in complete disgrace.
(Written by David.[j] He sang this to the Lord because of Cush from the tribe of Benjamin.)
The Lord Always Does Right
1 You, Lord God,
are my protector.
Rescue me and keep me safe
from all who chase me.
2 Or else they will rip me apart
like lions attacking a victim,
and no one will save me.
3 I am innocent, Lord God!
4 I have not betrayed a friend
or had pity on an enemy[k]
who attacks for no reason.
5 If I have done any of this,
then let my enemies
chase and capture me.
Let them trample me to death
and leave me in the dirt.
6 Get angry, Lord God!
Do something!
Attack my furious enemies.
See that justice is done.
7 Make the nations come to you,
as you sit on your throne[l]
above them all.
8 Our Lord, judge the nations!
Judge me and show that I
am honest and innocent.
9 (J) You know every heart and mind,
and you always do right.
Now make violent people stop,
but protect all of us
who obey you.
10 You, God, are my shield,
the protector of everyone
whose heart is right.
11 You see that justice is done,
and each day
you take revenge.
12 Whenever your enemies refuse
to change their ways,
you sharpen your sword
and string your bow.
13 Your deadly arrows are ready
with flaming tips.
14 An evil person is like a woman
about to give birth
to a hateful, deceitful,
and rebellious child.
15 (K) Such people dig a deep hole,
then fall in it themselves.
16 The trouble they cause
comes back on them,
and their heads are crushed
by their own evil deeds.
17 I will praise you, Lord!
You always do right.
I will sing about you,
the Lord Most High.
(A psalm by David for the music leader.[m])
The Wonderful Name of the Lord
1 Our Lord and Ruler,
your name is wonderful
everywhere on earth!
You let your glory be seen[n]
in the heavens above.
2 (L) With praises from children
and from tiny infants,
you have built a fortress.
It makes your enemies silent,
and all who turn against you
are left speechless.
3 I often think of the heavens
your hands have made,
and of the moon and stars
you put in place.
4 (M) Then I ask, “Why do you care
about us humans?
Why are you concerned
for us weaklings?”
5 (N) You made us a little lower
than you yourself,[o]
and you have crowned us
with glory and honor.
6 (O) You let us rule everything
your hands have made.
And you put all of it
under our power—
7 the sheep and the cattle,
and every wild animal,
8 the birds in the sky,
the fish in the sea,
and all ocean creatures.
9 Our Lord and Ruler,
your name is wonderful
everywhere on earth!
Notas al pie
- 2.1 Why … plot: Or “Why are the nations restless?”
- 2.1 make useless plans: Or “grumble uselessly.”
- 2.11,12 Serve … you: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verses 11,12.
- 4.2 me: Or “my God.”
- 4.2 foolish … worthless: This may refer to idols and false gods.
- 4.3 has chosen … very own: Some Hebrew manuscripts have “work miracles for his faithful people.”
- 5.1 when I groan: Or “to my thoughts” or “to my words.”
- 5.3 requests: Or “sacrifices.”
- Psalm 6 instruments: The Hebrew text adds “according to the sheminith,” which may refer to a musical instrument with eight strings.
- Psalm 7 Written by David: The Hebrew text has “a shiggaion by David,” which may refer to a psalm of mourning.
- 7.4 had pity on an enemy: Or “failed to have pity on an enemy.”
- 7.7 sit … throne: Or “return to your place.”
- Psalm 8 leader: The Hebrew text adds “according to the gittith,” which may refer to either a musical instrument or a tune.
- 8.1 You … seen: Or “I will worship your glory.”
- 8.5 you yourself: Or “the angels” or “the beings in heaven.”
Psalm 1-8
New International Version
BOOK I
Psalms 1–41
Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the one(A)
who does not walk(B) in step with the wicked(C)
or stand in the way(D) that sinners take(E)
or sit(F) in the company of mockers,(G)
2 but whose delight(H) is in the law of the Lord,(I)
and who meditates(J) on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree(K) planted by streams(L) of water,(M)
which yields its fruit(N) in season
and whose leaf(O) does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.(P)
4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff(Q)
that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand(R) in the judgment,(S)
nor sinners in the assembly(T) of the righteous.
6 For the Lord watches over(U) the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.(V)
Psalm 2
1 Why do the nations conspire[a]
and the peoples plot(W) in vain?
2 The kings(X) of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord and against his anointed,(Y) saying,
3 “Let us break their chains(Z)
and throw off their shackles.”(AA)
4 The One enthroned(AB) in heaven laughs;(AC)
the Lord scoffs at them.
5 He rebukes them in his anger(AD)
and terrifies them in his wrath,(AE) saying,
6 “I have installed my king(AF)
on Zion,(AG) my holy mountain.(AH)”
7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:
He said to me, “You are my son;(AI)
today I have become your father.(AJ)
8 Ask me,
and I will make the nations(AK) your inheritance,(AL)
the ends of the earth(AM) your possession.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron[b];(AN)
you will dash them to pieces(AO) like pottery.(AP)”
10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;(AQ)
be warned, you rulers(AR) of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear(AS)
and celebrate his rule(AT) with trembling.(AU)
12 Kiss his son,(AV) or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath(AW) can flare up in a moment.
Blessed(AX) are all who take refuge(AY) in him.
Psalm 3[c]
A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.(AZ)
1 Lord, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!
2 Many are saying of me,
“God will not deliver him.(BA)”[d]
3 But you, Lord, are a shield(BB) around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high.(BC)
4 I call out to the Lord,(BD)
and he answers me from his holy mountain.(BE)
5 I lie down and sleep;(BF)
I wake again,(BG) because the Lord sustains me.
6 I will not fear(BH) though tens of thousands
assail me on every side.(BI)
7 Arise,(BJ) Lord!
Deliver me,(BK) my God!
Strike(BL) all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth(BM) of the wicked.
Psalm 4[e]
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.
1 Answer me(BP) when I call to you,
my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;(BQ)
have mercy(BR) on me and hear my prayer.(BS)
2 How long will you people turn my glory(BT) into shame?(BU)
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods[f]?[g](BV)
3 Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant(BW) for himself;
the Lord hears(BX) when I call to him.
4 Tremble and[h] do not sin;(BY)
when you are on your beds,(BZ)
search your hearts and be silent.
5 Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
and trust in the Lord.(CA)
6 Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
Let the light of your face shine on us.(CB)
7 Fill my heart(CC) with joy(CD)
when their grain and new wine(CE) abound.
Psalm 5[i]
For the director of music. For pipes. A psalm of David.
1 Listen(CI) to my words, Lord,
consider my lament.(CJ)
2 Hear my cry for help,(CK)
my King and my God,(CL)
for to you I pray.
3 In the morning,(CM) Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.(CN)
4 For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;
with you, evil people(CO) are not welcome.
5 The arrogant(CP) cannot stand(CQ)
in your presence.
You hate(CR) all who do wrong;
6 you destroy those who tell lies.(CS)
The bloodthirsty and deceitful
you, Lord, detest.
7 But I, by your great love,
can come into your house;
in reverence(CT) I bow down(CU)
toward your holy temple.(CV)
8 Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness(CW)
because of my enemies—
make your way straight(CX) before me.
9 Not a word from their mouth can be trusted;
their heart is filled with malice.
Their throat is an open grave;(CY)
with their tongues they tell lies.(CZ)
10 Declare them guilty, O God!
Let their intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins,(DA)
for they have rebelled(DB) against you.
11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.(DC)
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name(DD) may rejoice in you.(DE)
12 Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;(DF)
you surround them(DG) with your favor as with a shield.(DH)
Psalm 6[j]
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. According to sheminith.[k] A psalm of David.
1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger(DI)
or discipline me in your wrath.
2 Have mercy on me,(DJ) Lord, for I am faint;(DK)
heal me,(DL) Lord, for my bones are in agony.(DM)
3 My soul is in deep anguish.(DN)
How long,(DO) Lord, how long?
4 Turn,(DP) Lord, and deliver me;
save me because of your unfailing love.(DQ)
5 Among the dead no one proclaims your name.
Who praises you from the grave?(DR)
All night long I flood my bed with weeping(DU)
and drench my couch with tears.(DV)
7 My eyes grow weak(DW) with sorrow;
they fail because of all my foes.
8 Away from me,(DX) all you who do evil,(DY)
for the Lord has heard my weeping.
9 The Lord has heard my cry for mercy;(DZ)
the Lord accepts my prayer.
10 All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish;(EA)
they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.(EB)
Psalm 7[l]
A shiggaion[m](EC) of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning Cush, a Benjamite.
1 Lord my God, I take refuge(ED) in you;
save and deliver me(EE) from all who pursue me,(EF)
2 or they will tear me apart like a lion(EG)
and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue(EH) me.
3 Lord my God, if I have done this
and there is guilt on my hands(EI)—
4 if I have repaid my ally with evil
or without cause(EJ) have robbed my foe—
5 then let my enemy pursue and overtake(EK) me;
let him trample my life to the ground(EL)
and make me sleep in the dust.[n](EM)
6 Arise,(EN) Lord, in your anger;
rise up against the rage of my enemies.(EO)
Awake,(EP) my God; decree justice.
7 Let the assembled peoples gather around you,
while you sit enthroned over them on high.(EQ)
8 Let the Lord judge(ER) the peoples.
Vindicate me, Lord, according to my righteousness,(ES)
according to my integrity,(ET) O Most High.(EU)
9 Bring to an end the violence of the wicked
and make the righteous secure—(EV)
you, the righteous God(EW)
who probes minds and hearts.(EX)
10 My shield[o](EY) is God Most High,
who saves the upright in heart.(EZ)
11 God is a righteous judge,(FA)
a God who displays his wrath(FB) every day.
12 If he does not relent,(FC)
he[p] will sharpen his sword;(FD)
he will bend and string his bow.(FE)
13 He has prepared his deadly weapons;
he makes ready his flaming arrows.(FF)
14 Whoever is pregnant with evil
conceives trouble and gives birth(FG) to disillusionment.
15 Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out
falls into the pit(FH) they have made.(FI)
16 The trouble they cause recoils on them;
their violence comes down on their own heads.
17 I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness;(FJ)
I will sing the praises(FK) of the name of the Lord Most High.(FL)
Psalm 8[q]
For the director of music. According to gittith.[r] A psalm of David.
1 Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name(FM) in all the earth!
You have set your glory(FN)
in the heavens.(FO)
2 Through the praise of children and infants
you have established a stronghold(FP) against your enemies,
to silence the foe(FQ) and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens,(FR)
the work of your fingers,(FS)
the moon and the stars,(FT)
which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?[s](FU)
5 You have made them[t] a little lower than the angels[u](FV)
and crowned them[v] with glory and honor.(FW)
6 You made them rulers(FX) over the works of your hands;(FY)
you put everything under their[w] feet:(FZ)
7 all flocks and herds,(GA)
and the animals of the wild,(GB)
8 the birds in the sky,
and the fish in the sea,(GC)
all that swim the paths of the seas.
9 Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!(GD)
Notas al pie
- Psalm 2:1 Hebrew; Septuagint rage
- Psalm 2:9 Or will rule them with an iron scepter (see Septuagint and Syriac)
- Psalm 3:1 In Hebrew texts 3:1-8 is numbered 3:2-9.
- Psalm 3:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 4 and 8.
- Psalm 4:1 In Hebrew texts 4:1-8 is numbered 4:2-9.
- Psalm 4:2 Or seek lies
- Psalm 4:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 4.
- Psalm 4:4 Or In your anger (see Septuagint)
- Psalm 5:1 In Hebrew texts 5:1-12 is numbered 5:2-13.
- Psalm 6:1 In Hebrew texts 6:1-10 is numbered 6:2-11.
- Psalm 6:1 Title: Probably a musical term
- Psalm 7:1 In Hebrew texts 7:1-17 is numbered 7:2-18.
- Psalm 7:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
- Psalm 7:5 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
- Psalm 7:10 Or sovereign
- Psalm 7:12 Or If anyone does not repent, / God
- Psalm 8:1 In Hebrew texts 8:1-9 is numbered 8:2-10.
- Psalm 8:1 Title: Probably a musical term
- Psalm 8:4 Or what is a human being that you are mindful of him, / a son of man that you care for him?
- Psalm 8:5 Or him
- Psalm 8:5 Or than God
- Psalm 8:5 Or him
- Psalm 8:6 Or made him ruler . . . ; / . . . his
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