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Psalm 133-139
Contemporary English Version
Psalm 133-139
Contemporary English Version
(A song for worship.)
Living Together in Peace
1 It is truly wonderful
when the people of God
live together in peace.
2 It is as beautiful as olive oil
poured on Aaron's head[a]
and running down his beard
and the collar of his robe.
3 It is like the dew
from Mount Hermon,
falling on Zion's mountains,
where the Lord has promised
to bless his people
with life forevermore.
(A song for worship.)
Praising the Lord at Night
1 Everyone who serves the Lord,
come and offer praises.
Everyone who has gathered
in his temple tonight,
2 lift your hands in prayer
toward his holy place
and praise the Lord.
3 The Lord is the Creator
of heaven and earth,
and I pray that the Lord
will bless you from Zion.
In Praise of the Lord's Kindness
1 Shout praises to the Lord!
You are his servants,
so praise his name.
2 All who serve in the temple
of the Lord our God,
3 come and shout praises.
Praise the name of the Lord!
He is kind and good.
4 He chose the family of Jacob
and the people of Israel
for his very own.
5 The Lord is much greater
than any other god.
6 He does as he chooses
in heaven and on earth
and deep in the sea.
7 The Lord makes the clouds rise
from far across the earth,
and he makes lightning
to go with the rain.
Then from his secret place
he sends out the wind.
8 The Lord killed the first-born
of people and animals
in the land of Egypt.
9 God used miracles and wonders
to fight the king of Egypt
and all of his officials.
10 He destroyed many nations
and killed powerful kings,
11 including King Sihon
of the Amorites
and King Og of Bashan.
He conquered every kingdom
in the land of Canaan
12 and gave their property
to his people Israel.
13 The name of the Lord
will be remembered forever,
and he will be famous
for all time to come.
14 The Lord will bring justice
and show mercy to all
who serve him.
15 (A) Idols of silver and gold
are made and worshiped
in other nations.
16 They have a mouth and eyes,
but they can't speak or see.
17 They are completely deaf,
and they can't breathe.
18 Everyone who makes idols
and all who trust them
will end up as helpless
as their idols.
19 Everyone in Israel,
come praise the Lord!
All the family of Aaron
20 and all the tribe of Levi,[b]
come praise the Lord!
All of his worshipers,
come praise the Lord.
21 Praise the Lord from Zion!
He lives here in Jerusalem.
Shout praises to the Lord!
God's Love Never Fails
1 (B) Praise the Lord! He is good.
God's love never fails.
2 Praise the God of all gods.
God's love never fails.
3 Praise the Lord of lords.
God's love never fails.
4 Only God works great miracles.[c]
God's love never fails.
5 (C) With wisdom he made the sky.
God's love never fails.
6 (D) The Lord stretched the earth
over the ocean.
God's love never fails.
7 (E) He made the bright lights
in the sky.
God's love never fails.
8 He lets the sun rule each day.
God's love never fails.
9 He lets the moon and the stars
rule each night.
God's love never fails.
10 (F) God struck down the first-born
in every Egyptian family.
God's love never fails.
11 (G) He rescued Israel from Egypt.
God's love never fails.
12 God used his great strength
and his powerful arm.
God's love never fails.
13 (H) He split the Red Sea[d] apart.
God's love never fails.
14 The Lord brought Israel safely
through the sea.
God's love never fails.
15 He destroyed the Egyptian king
and his army there.
God's love never fails.
16 The Lord led his people
through the desert.
God's love never fails.
17 Our God defeated mighty kings.
God's love never fails.
18 And he killed famous kings.
God's love never fails.
19 (I) One of them was Sihon,
king of the Amorites.
God's love never fails.
20 (J) Another was King Og of Bashan.
God's love never fails.
21 God took away their land.
God's love never fails.
22 He gave their land to Israel,
the people who serve him.
God's love never fails.
23 God saw the trouble we were in.
God's love never fails.
24 He rescued us from our enemies.
God's love never fails.
25 He gives food to all who live.
God's love never fails.
26 Praise God in heaven!
God's love never fails.
A Prayer for Revenge
1 Beside the rivers of Babylon
we thought about Jerusalem,
and we sat down and cried.
2 We hung our small harps
on the willow[e] trees.
3 Our enemies had brought us here
as their prisoners;
now they wanted us to sing
and entertain them.
They insulted us and shouted,
“Sing about Zion!”
4 Here in a foreign land,
how can we sing
about the Lord?
5 Jerusalem, if I forget you,
let my right hand go limp.
6 Let my tongue stick
to the roof of my mouth,
if I don't think about you
above all else.
7 Our Lord, punish the Edomites!
On the day Jerusalem fell,
they shouted,
“Completely destroy the city!
Tear down every building!”
8 (K) Babylon, you are doomed!
I pray the Lord's blessings
on anyone who punishes you
for what you did to us.
9 May the Lord bless everyone
who beats your children
against the rocks!
(By David.)
Praise the Lord with All Your Heart
1 With all my heart
I praise you, Lord.
In the presence of angels[f]
I sing your praises.
2 I worship at your holy temple
and praise you for your love
and your faithfulness.
You were true to your word
and made yourself more famous
than ever before.[g]
3 When I asked for your help,
you answered my prayer
and gave me courage.[h]
4 All kings on this earth
have heard your promises, Lord,
and they will praise you.
5 You are so famous
that they will sing about
the things you have done.
6 Though you are above us all,
you care for humble people,
and you keep a close watch
on everyone who is proud.
7 I am surrounded by trouble,
but you protect me
against my angry enemies.
With your own powerful arm
you keep me safe.
8 You, Lord, will always
treat me with kindness.
Your love never fails.
You have made us what we are.
Don't give up on us now![i]
(A psalm by David for the music leader.)
The Lord Is Always Near
1 You have looked deep
into my heart, Lord,
and you know all about me.
2 You know when I am resting
or when I am working,
and from heaven
you discover my thoughts.
3 You notice everything I do
and everywhere I go.
4 Before I even speak a word,
you know what I will say,
5 and with your powerful arm
you protect me
from every side.
6 I can't understand all of this!
Such wonderful knowledge
is far above me.
7 Where could I go to escape
from your Spirit
or from your sight?
8 If I were to climb up
to the highest heavens,
you would be there.
If I were to dig down
to the world of the dead
you would also be there.
9 Suppose I had wings
like the dawning day
and flew across the ocean.
10 Even then your powerful arm
would guide and protect me.
11 Or suppose I said, “I'll hide
in the dark until night comes
to cover me over.”
12 But you see in the dark
because daylight and dark
are all the same to you.
13 You are the one
who put me together
inside my mother's body,
14 and I praise you because of
the wonderful way
you created me.
Everything you do is marvelous!
Of this I have no doubt.
15 Nothing about me
is hidden from you!
I was secretly woven together
out of human sight,
16 but with your own eyes you saw
my body being formed.
Even before I was born,
you had written in your book
everything about me.
17 (L) Your thoughts are far beyond
my understanding,
much more than I
could ever imagine.
18 I try to count your thoughts,
but they outnumber the grains
of sand on the beach.
And when I awake,
I will find you nearby.
19 How I wish that you would kill
all cruel and heartless people
and protect me from them!
20 They are always rebelling
and speaking evil of you.[j]
21 You know I hate anyone
who hates you, Lord,
and refuses to obey.
22 They are my enemies too,
and I truly hate them.
23 Look deep into my heart, God,
and find out everything
I am thinking.
24 Don't let me follow evil ways,
but lead me in the way
that time has proven true.
Footnotes
- 133.2 head: Olive oil was poured on Aaron's head to show that God had chosen him to be the high priest.
- 135.19,20 Aaron … Levi: Aaron was from the tribe of Levi, and all priests were from his family. The temple helpers, singers, and musicians were also from the tribe of Levi.
- 136.4 great miracles: One Hebrew manuscript and one ancient translation have “miracles.”
- 136.13 Red Sea: See the note at 106.7.
- 137.2 willow: Or “poplar.”
- 138.1 angels: Or “gods” or “supernatural beings” who worship and serve God in heaven; or possibly “rulers” or “leaders.”
- 138.2 You were … before: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 138.3 and gave me courage: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 138.8 You have … now: Or “Please don't desert your people.”
- 139.20 you: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 20.
Psalm 133-139
New International Version
Psalm 133-139
New International Version
Psalm 133
A song of ascents. Of David.
2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,(C)
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down on the collar of his robe.
3 It is as if the dew(D) of Hermon(E)
were falling on Mount Zion.(F)
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,(G)
even life forevermore.(H)
Psalm 134
A song of ascents.
1 Praise the Lord, all you servants(I) of the Lord
who minister(J) by night(K) in the house of the Lord.
2 Lift up your hands(L) in the sanctuary(M)
and praise the Lord.(N)
Psalm 135(Q)
1 Praise the Lord.[a]
Praise the name of the Lord;
praise him, you servants(R) of the Lord,
2 you who minister in the house(S) of the Lord,
in the courts(T) of the house of our God.
3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good;(U)
sing praise to his name,(V) for that is pleasant.(W)
4 For the Lord has chosen Jacob(X) to be his own,
Israel to be his treasured possession.(Y)
5 I know that the Lord is great,(Z)
that our Lord is greater than all gods.(AA)
6 The Lord does whatever pleases him,(AB)
in the heavens and on the earth,(AC)
in the seas and all their depths.
7 He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth;
he sends lightning with the rain(AD)
and brings out the wind(AE) from his storehouses.(AF)
8 He struck down the firstborn(AG) of Egypt,
the firstborn of people and animals.
9 He sent his signs(AH) and wonders into your midst, Egypt,
against Pharaoh and all his servants.(AI)
10 He struck down many(AJ) nations
and killed mighty kings—
11 Sihon(AK) king of the Amorites,(AL)
Og king of Bashan,(AM)
and all the kings of Canaan(AN)—
12 and he gave their land as an inheritance,(AO)
an inheritance to his people Israel.
13 Your name, Lord, endures forever,(AP)
your renown,(AQ) Lord, through all generations.
14 For the Lord will vindicate his people(AR)
and have compassion on his servants.(AS)
15 The idols of the nations(AT) are silver and gold,
made by human hands.(AU)
16 They have mouths, but cannot speak,(AV)
eyes, but cannot see.
17 They have ears, but cannot hear,
nor is there breath(AW) in their mouths.
18 Those who make them will be like them,
and so will all who trust in them.
19 All you Israelites, praise the Lord;(AX)
house of Aaron, praise the Lord;
20 house of Levi, praise the Lord;
you who fear him, praise the Lord.
21 Praise be to the Lord from Zion,(AY)
to him who dwells in Jerusalem.(AZ)
Praise the Lord.
Psalm 136
1 Give thanks(BA) to the Lord, for he is good.(BB)
His love endures forever.(BC)
2 Give thanks(BD) to the God of gods.(BE)
His love endures forever.
3 Give thanks(BF) to the Lord of lords:(BG)
His love endures forever.
4 to him who alone does great wonders,(BH)
His love endures forever.
5 who by his understanding(BI) made the heavens,(BJ)
His love endures forever.
6 who spread out the earth(BK) upon the waters,(BL)
His love endures forever.
7 who made the great lights(BM)—
His love endures forever.
8 the sun to govern(BN) the day,
His love endures forever.
9 the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.
10 to him who struck down the firstborn(BO) of Egypt
His love endures forever.
11 and brought Israel out(BP) from among them
His love endures forever.
12 with a mighty hand(BQ) and outstretched arm;(BR)
His love endures forever.
13 to him who divided the Red Sea[b](BS) asunder
His love endures forever.
14 and brought Israel through(BT) the midst of it,
His love endures forever.
15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;(BU)
His love endures forever.
16 to him who led his people through the wilderness;(BV)
His love endures forever.
17 to him who struck down great kings,(BW)
His love endures forever.
18 and killed mighty kings(BX)—
His love endures forever.
19 Sihon king of the Amorites(BY)
His love endures forever.
20 and Og king of Bashan(BZ)—
His love endures forever.
21 and gave their land(CA) as an inheritance,(CB)
His love endures forever.
22 an inheritance(CC) to his servant Israel.(CD)
His love endures forever.
23 He remembered us(CE) in our low estate
His love endures forever.
24 and freed us(CF) from our enemies.(CG)
His love endures forever.
25 He gives food(CH) to every creature.
His love endures forever.
Psalm 137
1 By the rivers of Babylon(CL) we sat and wept(CM)
when we remembered Zion.(CN)
2 There on the poplars(CO)
we hung our harps,(CP)
3 for there our captors(CQ) asked us for songs,
our tormentors demanded(CR) songs of joy;
they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”(CS)
4 How can we sing the songs of the Lord(CT)
while in a foreign land?
5 If I forget you,(CU) Jerusalem,
may my right hand forget its skill.
6 May my tongue cling to the roof(CV) of my mouth
if I do not remember(CW) you,
if I do not consider Jerusalem(CX)
my highest joy.
7 Remember, Lord, what the Edomites(CY) did
on the day Jerusalem fell.(CZ)
“Tear it down,” they cried,
“tear it down to its foundations!”(DA)
8 Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction,(DB)
happy is the one who repays you
according to what you have done to us.
9 Happy is the one who seizes your infants
and dashes them(DC) against the rocks.
Psalm 138
Of David.
1 I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
before the “gods”(DD) I will sing(DE) your praise.
2 I will bow down toward your holy temple(DF)
and will praise your name(DG)
for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,(DH)
for you have so exalted your solemn decree
that it surpasses your fame.(DI)
3 When I called,(DJ) you answered me;(DK)
you greatly emboldened(DL) me.
4 May all the kings of the earth(DM) praise you, Lord,
when they hear what you have decreed.
5 May they sing(DN) of the ways of the Lord,
for the glory of the Lord(DO) is great.
6 Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;(DP)
though lofty, he sees them(DQ) from afar.
7 Though I walk(DR) in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life.(DS)
You stretch out your hand(DT) against the anger of my foes;(DU)
with your right hand(DV) you save me.(DW)
8 The Lord will vindicate(DX) me;
your love, Lord, endures forever(DY)—
do not abandon(DZ) the works of your hands.(EA)
Psalm 139
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
1 You have searched me,(EB) Lord,
and you know(EC) me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;(ED)
you perceive my thoughts(EE) from afar.
3 You discern my going out(EF) and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.(EG)
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.(EH)
5 You hem me in(EI) behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,(EJ)
too lofty(EK) for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee(EL) from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens,(EM) you are there;
if I make my bed(EN) in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,(EO)
your right hand(EP) will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark(EQ) to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;(ER)
you knit me together(ES) in my mother’s womb.(ET)
14 I praise you(EU) because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,(EV)
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made(EW) in the secret place,
when I was woven together(EX) in the depths of the earth.(EY)
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained(EZ) for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[c](FA) God!(FB)
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,(FC)
they would outnumber the grains of sand(FD)—
when I awake,(FE) I am still with you.
19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked!(FF)
Away from me,(FG) you who are bloodthirsty!(FH)
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries(FI) misuse your name.(FJ)
21 Do I not hate those(FK) who hate you, Lord,
and abhor(FL) those who are in rebellion against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.(FM)
23 Search me,(FN) God, and know my heart;(FO)
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way(FP) in me,
and lead me(FQ) in the way everlasting.
Footnotes
- Psalm 135:1 Hebrew Hallelu Yah; also in verses 3 and 21
- Psalm 136:13 Or the Sea of Reeds; also in verse 15
- Psalm 139:17 Or How amazing are your thoughts concerning me
Contemporary English Version (CEV) 
Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society For more information about CEV, visit www.bibles.com and www.cev.bible.
New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.