Chronological
3 David driven forth of his kingdom, was greatly tormented in mind for his sins against God: 4 And therefore calleth upon God, and waxeth bold through his promises, against the great railings and terrors of his enemies, yea against death itself, which he saw present before his eyes. 7 Finally, he rejoiceth for the good success that God gave him and all the Church.
A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom.
1 Lord, how are mine adversaries [a]increased? how many rise against me?
2 Many say to my soul, There is no help for him in God. [b]Selah.
3 But thou Lord art a buckler for me, my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
4 I did call unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy mountain. Selah.
5 I laid me down and slept, and rose up again: for the Lord sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid for [c]ten thousand of the people, that should beset me round about.
7 O Lord, arise: help me, my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheekbone: thou hast broken the teeth of the wicked.
8 [d]Salvation belongeth unto the Lord, and thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.
4 When Saul persecuted him, he called upon God, trusting most assuredly in his promise, and therefore boldly reproveth his enemies, who willfully resisted his dominion, 7 and finally preferreth the favor of God before all worldly treasures.
[e]To him that excelleth on Neginoth. A Psalm of David.
1 Hear me when I call, [f]O God of my righteousness: thou hast set me at liberty, when I was in [g]distress: have mercy upon me, and hearken unto my prayer.
2 O ye [h]sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame, [i]loving vanity, and seeking lies? Selah.
3 For be ye sure that the Lord hath chosen to himself [j]a godly man, the Lord will hear when I call unto him.
4 [k]Tremble and sin not: examine your own heart upon your bed, and be [l]still. Selah.
5 [m]Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and trust in the Lord.
6 Many say, Who will show us any [n]good? but Lord, lift up the light of thy countenance upon us.
7 Thou hast given me more joy of heart, than they have had, when their wheat and their wine did abound.
8 I will lay me down, and also sleep in peace: for thou, [o]Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
12 1 The Prophet lamenting the miserable estate of the people, and the decay of all good order, desireth God speedily to send succor to his children. 7 Then comforting himself, and others with the assurance of God’s help, he commendeth the constant verity that God observeth in keeping his promises.
To him that excelleth upon the eight tune. A Psalm of David.
1 Help Lord, for there is not [a]a godly man left: for the faithful are failed from among the children of men.
2 They speak deceitfully every one with his neighbor, [b]flattering with their lips, and speak with a double heart.
3 The Lord cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:
4 Which have said, [c]With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own; who is Lord over us?
5 [d]Now for the oppression of the needy, and for the sighs of the poor, I will up, saith the Lord, and will [e]set at liberty him, whom the wicked hath [snared].
6 The words of the Lord are pure words, as the silver, tried in a furnace of earth, fined sevenfold.
7 Thou wilt keep [f]them, O Lord; thou wilt preserve him from this generation forever.
8 The wicked walk on every side; when they are exalted, [g]it is a shame for the sons of men.
13 1 David as it were overcome with sundry and new afflictions, fleeth to God as his only refuge, 3 and so at the length being encouraged through God’s promises, he conceiveth most sure confidence against the extreme horrors of death.
To him that excelleth. A Psalm of David.
1 How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord, [h]forever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
2 How long shall I take [i]counsel within myself having weariness daily in mine heart? how long shall mine enemy be exalted above me?
3 Behold, and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, that I sleep not in death.
4 Lest mine enemy say, I have [j]prevailed against him: and they that afflict me, rejoice, when I slide.
5 But I trust in thy [k]mercy: mine heart shall rejoice in thy salvation; I will sing to the Lord, because he hath [l]dealt lovingly with me.
28 1 Being in great fear and heaviness of heart to see God dishonored by the wicked, he desireth to be rid of them. 4 And crieth for vengeance against them: and at length assureth himself, that God hath heard his prayer, 9 Unto whose tuition he commendeth all the faithful.
A Psalm of David.
1 Unto thee, O Lord, do I cry: O my strength, be not deaf toward me, lest if thou answer me not, I be like [a]them that go down into the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my petitions, when I cry unto thee, when I hold up my hands toward thine [b]holy Oracle.
3 [c]Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity: which speak friendly to their neighbors, when malice is in their hearts.
4 [d]Reward them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their inventions: recompense them after the work of their hands: render them their reward.
5 For they reward not the works of the Lord, nor the operation of his hands: therefore [e]break them down, and build them not up.
6 [f]Praised be the Lord, for he hath heard the voice of my petitions.
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield: mine heart trusted in him, and I was helped: therefore mine heart shall rejoice, and with my song will I praise him.
8 The Lord is [g]their strength, and he is the strength of the deliverances of his anointed.
9 Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and exalt them forever.
55 1 David being in great heaviness and distress, complaineth of the cruelty of Saul, 13 and of the falsehood of his familiar acquaintance, 17 Uttering the most ardent affections to move the Lord to pity him. 22 After, being assured of deliverance, he setteth forth the grace of God, as though he had already obtained his request.
To him that excelleth on Neginoth. A Psalm of David to give instruction.
1 Hear [a]my prayer, O God, and hide not thyself from my supplication.
2 Hearken unto me, and answer me: I mourn in my prayer, and make a noise,
3 For the [b]voice of the enemy, and for the vexation of the wicked, because [c]they have brought iniquity upon me, and furiously hate me.
4 Mine heart trembleth within me, and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.
5 Fear and trembling are come upon me, and an horrible fear hath [d]covered me.
6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove: then would I [e]fly away and rest.
7 Behold I would take my flight far off, and lodge in the wilderness. Selah.
8 He would make haste for my deliverance [f]from the stormy wind and tempest.
9 Destroy, O Lord, and [g]divide their tongues: for I have seen cruelty and strife in the city.
10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof, both [h]iniquity and mischief are in the midst of it.
11 Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.
12 Surely mine [i]enemy did not defame me, for I could have borne it: neither did mine adversary exalt himself against me: for I would have hid me from him.
13 But it was thou, O man, even my [j]companion, my guide, and my familiar:
14 Which delighted in consulting together, and went into the house of God as companions.
15 Let death seize upon them: let them [k]go down quick into the grave: for wickedness is in their dwellings even in the midst of them.
16 But I will call unto God, and the Lord will save me.
17 Evening and morning, and at noon will I pray [l]and make a noise, and he will hear my voice.
18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for [m]many were with me.
19 God shall hear and afflict them, even he that reigneth of old, Selah: because they [n]have no changes, therefore they fear not God.
20 He [o]laid his hand upon such as be at peace with him, and he brake his covenant.
21 The words of his mouth were softer than butter, yet war was in his heart, his words were more gentle than oil, yet they were swords.
22 Cast thy [p]burden upon the Lord, and he shall nourish thee: he will not suffer the righteous to fall [q]forever.
23 And thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of corruption: the bloody, and deceitful men shall not live [r]half their days: but I will trust in thee.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.