Prologue

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. ² And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. ³ His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she-asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. ⁴ And his sons went and feasted in their houses, everyone his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. ⁵ And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

The Testing of Job

Job's First Testing

⁶ Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. ⁷ And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence come you? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going back and forth in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. ⁸ And the LORD said unto Satan, Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that fears God, and turns away from evil? ⁹ Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Does Job fear God for nothing? ¹⁰ Have not you made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he has on every side? you have blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. ¹¹ But put forth your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face. ¹² And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your power; only upon himself put not forth your hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. ¹³ And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: ¹⁴ And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the donkeys feeding beside them: ¹⁵ And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yes, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell you. ¹⁶ While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and has burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell you. ¹⁷ While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yes, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell you. ¹⁸ While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: ¹⁹ And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and stroke the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell you. ²⁰ Then Job arose, and ripped apart his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, ²¹ And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. ²² In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

Job's Second Testing

Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. ² And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence come you? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going back and forth in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. ³ And the LORD said unto Satan, Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that fears God, and turns away from evil? and still he holds fast his integrity, although you moved me against him, to destroy him without cause. ⁴ And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yes, all that a man has will he give for his life. ⁵ But put forth your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face. ⁶ And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in your hand; but save his life. ⁷ So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and stroke Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. ⁸ And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself likewise; and he sat down among the ashes. ⁹ Then said his wife unto him, Do you still retain your integrity? curse God, and die. ¹⁰ But he said unto her, You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

Job is Visited by Three Friends

¹¹ Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came everyone from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him. ¹² And when they lifted up their eyes far off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they ripped apart everyone his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven. ¹³ So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spoke a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.

Job Speaks and Complains to God

After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day. ² And Job spoke, and said, ³ Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a male child conceived. ⁴ Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it. ⁵ Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it. ⁶ As for that night, let darkness seize upon it; let it not be joined unto the days of the year, let it not come into the number of the months. ⁷ Lo, let that night be solitary, let no joyful voice come therein. ⁸ Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to raise up their mourning. ⁹ Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark; let it look for light, but have none; neither let it see the dawning of the day: ¹⁰ Because it shut not up the doors of my mother's womb, nor hid sorrow from mine eyes. ¹¹ Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the spirit when I came out of the belly? ¹² Why did the knees prevent me? or why the breasts that I should suck? ¹³ For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest, ¹⁴ With kings and counsellors of the earth, which build desolate places for themselves; ¹⁵ Or with princes that had gold, who filled their houses with silver: ¹⁶ Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants which never saw light. ¹⁷ There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest. ¹⁸ There the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the oppressor. ¹⁹ The small and great are there; and the servant is free from his master. ²⁰ Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul; ²¹ Which long for death, but it comes not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures; ²² Which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave? ²³ Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God has hedged in? ²⁴ For my sighing comes before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters. ²⁵ For the thing which I greatly feared has come upon me, and that which I was afraid of has come unto me. ²⁶ I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.

Eliphaz Speaks and Rebukes Job “Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent?” - Wrong!

Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said, ² If we analyse to commune with you, will you be grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking? ³ Behold, you have instructed many, and you have strengthened the weak hands. ⁴ Your words have raised up him that was falling, and you have strengthened the feeble knees. ⁵ But now it has come upon you, and you faint; it touches you, and you are troubled. ⁶ Is not this your fear, your confidence, your hope, and the uprightness of your ways? ⁷ Remember, I pray you, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off? ⁸ Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and plant wickedness, reap the same. ⁹ By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed. ¹⁰ The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken. ¹¹ The old lion perishes for lack of prey, and the stout lion's whelps are scattered abroad. ¹² Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof. ¹³ In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, ¹⁴ Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake. ¹⁵ Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up: ¹⁶ It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying, ¹⁷ Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker? ¹⁸ Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly: ¹⁹ How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth? ²⁰ They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish forever without any regarding it. ²¹ Does not their excellency which is in them go away? they die, even without wisdom.

Call now, if there be any that will answer you; and to which of the saints will you turn? ² For wrath kills the foolish man, and envy slays the silly one. ³ I have seen the foolish taking root: but suddenly I cursed his habitation. ⁴ His children are far from safety, and they are crushed in the gate, neither is there any to deliver them. ⁵ Whose harvest the hungry eats up, and takes it even out of the thorns, and the robber swallows up their substance. ⁶ Although affliction comes not out of the dust, neither does trouble spring out of the ground; ⁷ Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. ⁸ I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause: ⁹ Which does great things and unsearchable; marvelous things without number: ¹⁰ Who gives rain upon the earth, and sends waters upon the fields: ¹¹ To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety. ¹² He dissapoints the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise. ¹³ He takes the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the perverse is carried headlong. ¹⁴ They meet with darkness in the day time, and grope in the noonday as in the night. ¹⁵ But he saves the poor from the sword, from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty. ¹⁶ So the poor has hope, and iniquity stops her mouth. ¹⁷ Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects: therefore despise not you the chastening of the Almighty: ¹⁸ For he makes sore, and binds up: he wounds, and his hands make whole. ¹⁹ He shall deliver you in six troubles: yes, in seven there shall no evil touch you. ²⁰ In famine he shall redeem you from death: and in war from the power of the sword. ²¹ You shall be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shall you be afraid of destruction when it comes. ²² At destruction and famine you shall laugh: neither shall you be afraid of the beasts of the earth. ²³ For you shall be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with you. ²⁴ And you shall know that your tabernacle shall be in peace; and you shall visit your habitation, and shall not sin. ²⁵ You shall know also that your seed shall be great, and your offspring as the grass of the earth. ²⁶ You shall come to your grave in a full age, like a shock of corn comes in in his season. ²⁷ Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know you it for your good.

Job Responds

But Job answered and said, ² Oh that my grief were thoroughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together! ³ For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up. ⁴ For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinks up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me. ⁵ Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? or lows the ox over his fodder? ⁶ Can that which is unpleasing be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg? ⁷ The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful food. ⁸ Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for! ⁹ Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off! ¹⁰ Then should I yet have comfort; yes, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One. ¹¹ What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life? ¹² Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass? ¹³ Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me? ¹⁴ To him that is afflicted pity should be showed from his friend; but he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. ¹⁵ My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away; ¹⁶ Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid: ¹⁷ What time they grew warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place. ¹⁸ The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish. ¹⁹ The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them. ²⁰ They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed. ²¹ For now all of you are nothing; all of you see my casting down, and are afraid. ²² Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance? ²³ Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty? ²⁴ Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred. ²⁵ How forcible are right words! but what does your arguing reprove? ²⁶ Do all of you imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind? ²⁷ Yes, all of you overwhelm the fatherless, and all of you dig a pit for your friend. ²⁸ Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie. ²⁹ Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yes, return again, my righteousness is in it. ³⁰ Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?

Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of a worker? ² As a servant earnestly desires the shadow, and as a worker looks for the reward of his work: ³ So am I made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me. ⁴ When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone? and I am full of tossings back and forth unto the dawning of the day. ⁵ My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken, and become loathsome. ⁶ My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope. ⁷ O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good. ⁸ The eye of him that has seen me shall see me no more: your eyes are upon me, and I am not. ⁹ As the cloud is consumed and vanishes away: so he that goes down to the grave shall come up no more. ¹⁰ He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more. ¹¹ Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. ¹² Am I a sea, or a whale, that you set a watch over me? ¹³ When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaints; ¹⁴ Then you scare me with dreams, and terrify me through visions: ¹⁵ So that my soul chooses strangling, and death rather than my life. ¹⁶ I loathe it; I would not live always: let me alone; for my days are vanity. ¹⁷ What is man, that you should magnify him? and that you should set your heart upon him? ¹⁸ And that you should visit him every morning, and try him every moment? ¹⁹ How long will you not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle? ²⁰ I have sinned; what shall I do unto you, O you preserver of men? why have you set me as a mark against you, so that I am a burden to myself? ²¹ And why do you not pardon my transgression, and take away my iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and you shall seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.

Bildad Tries to Speak for God “If thou wert pure and upright; surely now He would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous” - Wrong!

Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, ² How long will you speak these things? and how long shall the words of your mouth be like a strong wind? ³ Does God pervert judgment? or does the Almighty pervert justice? ⁴ If your children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression; ⁵ If you would seek unto God early, and make your supplication to the Almighty; ⁶ If you were pure and upright; surely now he would awake for you, and make the habitation of your righteousness prosperous. ⁷ Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end should greatly increase. ⁸ For enquire, I pray you, of the former age, and prepare yourself to the search of their fathers: ⁹ For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow: ¹⁰ Shall not they teach you, and tell you, and utter words out of their heart? ¹¹ Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water? ¹² Whilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, it withers before any other herb. ¹³ So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish: ¹⁴ Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider's web. ¹⁵ He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure. ¹⁶ He is green before the sun, and his branch shoots forth in his garden. ¹⁷ His roots are wrapped about the heap, and sees the place of stones. ¹⁸ If he destroy him from his place, then it shall deny him, saying, I have not seen you. ¹⁹ Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others grow. ²⁰ Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers: ²¹ Till he fill your mouth with laughing, and your lips with rejoicing. ²² They that hate you shall be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nothing.

Job Replies “I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?”

Then Job answered and said, ² I know it is so truthfully: but how should man be just with God? ³ If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. ⁴ He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who has hardened himself against him, and has prospered? ⁵ Which removes the mountains, and they know not: which overturns them in his anger. ⁶ Which shakes the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble. ⁷ Which commands the sun, and it rises not; and seals up the stars. ⁸ Which alone spreads out the heavens, and treads upon the waves of the sea. ⁹ Which makes Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south. ¹⁰ Which does great things past finding out; yes, and wonders without number. ¹¹ Lo, he goes by me, and I see him not: he passes on also, but I perceive him not. ¹² Behold, he takes away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What do you? ¹³ If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him. ¹⁴ How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him? ¹⁵ Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge. ¹⁶ If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had listened unto my voice. ¹⁷ For he breaks me with a tempest, and multiplies my wounds without cause. ¹⁸ He will not suffer me to take my breath, but fills me with bitterness. ¹⁹ If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead? ²⁰ If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse. ²¹ Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life. ²² This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroys the perfect and the wicked. ²³ If the scourge slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent. ²⁴ The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covers the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he? ²⁵ Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good. ²⁶ They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hastes to the prey. ²⁷ If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself: ²⁸ I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that you will not hold me innocent. ²⁹ If I be wicked, why then labor I in vain? ³⁰ If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean; ³¹ Yet shall you plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall detest me. ³² For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. ³³ Neither is there any arbitrator between us, that might lay his hand upon us both. ³⁴ Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me: ³⁵ Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me.

My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. ² I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; show me wherefore you contend with me. ³ Is it good unto you that you should oppress, that you should despise the work of your hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked? ⁴ Have you eyes of flesh? or see you as man sees? ⁵ Are your days as the days of man? are your years as man's days, ⁶ That you enquire after mine iniquity, and search after my sin? ⁷ You know that I am not wicked; and there is none that can deliver out of your hand. ⁸ your hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet you do destroy me. ⁹ Remember, I plead to you, that you have made me as the clay; and will you bring me into dust again? ¹⁰ Have you not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese? ¹¹ You have clothed me with skin and flesh, and have fenced me with bones and sinews. ¹² You have granted me life and favor, and your visitation has preserved my spirit. ¹³ And these things have you hid in your heart: I know that this is with you. ¹⁴ If I sin, then you mark me, and you will not acquit me from mine iniquity. ¹⁵ If I be wicked, woe unto me; and if I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head. I am full of confusion; therefore see you mine affliction; ¹⁶ For it increases. You hunt me as a fierce lion: and again you show yourself marvelous upon me. ¹⁷ You renew your witnesses against me, and increase your indignation upon me; changes and war are against me. ¹⁸ Wherefore then have you brought me forth out of the womb? Oh that I had given up the spirit, and no eye had seen me! ¹⁹ I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave. ²⁰ Are not my days few? cease then, and let me alone, that I may take comfort a little, ²¹ Before I go whence I shall not return, even to the land of darkness and the shadow of death; ²² A land of darkness, as darkness itself; and of the shadow of death, without any order, and where the light is as darkness.

Zohar Speaks and Accuses Job of Having Hidden Sins

Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, ² Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified? ³ Should your lies make men hold their peace? and when you mock, shall no man make you ashamed? ⁴ For you have said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in your eyes. ⁵ But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you; ⁶ And that he would show you the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves. ⁷ Can you by searching find out God? can you find out the Almighty unto perfection? ⁸ It is as high as heaven; what can you do? deeper than hell; what can you know? ⁹ The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. ¹⁰ If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him? ¹¹ For he knows vain men: he sees wickedness also; will he not then consider it? ¹² For vain men would be wise, though man be born like a wild donkey's colt. ¹³ If you prepare your heart, and stretch out your hands toward him; ¹⁴ If iniquity be in your hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in your tabernacles. ¹⁵ For then shall you lift up your face without spot; yes, you shall be steadfast, and shall not fear: ¹⁶ Because you shall forget your misery, and remember it as waters that pass away: ¹⁷ And your age shall be clearer than the noonday: you shall shine forth, you shall be as the morning. ¹⁸ And you shall be secure, because there is hope; yes, you shall dig about you, and you shall take your rest in safety. ¹⁹ Also you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid; yes, many shall make suit unto you. ²⁰ But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the spirit.

Job Responds

And Job answered and said, ² No doubt but all of you are the people, and wisdom shall die with you. ³ But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yes, who knows not such things as these? ⁴ I am as one mocked of his neighbor, who calls upon God, and he answers him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn. ⁵ He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease. ⁶ The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God brings abundantly. ⁷ But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach you; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell you: ⁸ Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach you: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto you. ⁹ Who knows not in all these that the hand of the LORD has wrought this? ¹⁰ In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. ¹¹ Does not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his food? ¹² With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding. ¹³ With him is wisdom and strength, he has counsel and understanding. ¹⁴ Behold, he breaks down, and it cannot be built again: he shuts up a man, and there can be no opening. ¹⁵ Behold, he withholds the waters, and they dry up: also he sends them out, and they overturn the earth. ¹⁶ With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his. ¹⁷ He leads counsellors away spoiled, and makes the judges fools. ¹⁸ He looses the bond of kings, and girds their loins with a girdle. ¹⁹ He leads princes away spoiled, and overthrows the mighty. ²⁰ He removes away the speech of the trusty, and takes away the understanding of the aged. ²¹ He pours contempt upon princes, and weakens the strength of the mighty. ²² He discovers deep things out of darkness, and brings out to light the shadow of death. ²³ He increases the nations, and destroys them: he enlarges the nations, and straitens them again. ²⁴ He takes away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causes them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way. ²⁵ They grope in the dark without light, and he makes them to stagger like a drunken man.

Lo, mine eye has seen all this, mine ear has heard and understood it. ² What all of you know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you. ³ Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God. ⁴ But all of you are forgers of lies, all of you are all physicians of no value. ⁵ O that all of you would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom. ⁶ Hear now my reasoning, and listen to the pleadings of my lips. ⁷ Will all of you speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him? ⁸ Will all of you accept his person? will all of you contend for God? ⁹ Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocks another, do all of you so mock him? ¹⁰ He will surely reprove you, if all of you do secretly accept persons. ¹¹ Shall not his excellency make you afraid? and his dread fall upon you? ¹² Your remembrances are like unto ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay. ¹³ Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will. ¹⁴ Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand? ¹⁵ Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. ¹⁶ He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him. ¹⁷ Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears. ¹⁸ Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified. ¹⁹ Who is he that will plead with me? for now, if I hold my tongue, I shall give up the spirit. ²⁰ Only do not two things unto me: then will I not hide myself from you. ²¹ Withdraw your hand far from me: and let not your dread make me afraid. ²² Then call you, and I will answer: or let me speak, and answer you me. ²³ How many are mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin. ²⁴ Wherefore hide you your face, and hold me for your enemy? ²⁵ Will you break a leaf driven back and forth? and will you pursue the dry stubble? ²⁶ For you write bitter things against me, and make me to possess the iniquities of my youth. ²⁷ You put my feet also in the stocks, and look narrowly unto all my paths; you set a print upon the heels of my feet. ²⁸ And he, as a rotten thing, consumes, as a garment that is moth eaten.

Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble. ² He comes forth like a flower, and is cut down: he flees also as a shadow, and continues not. ³ And does you open your eyes upon such an one, and bring me into judgment with you? ⁴ Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one. ⁵ Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with you, you have appointed his bounds that he cannot pass; ⁶ Turn from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish, as a worker, his day. ⁷ For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. ⁸ Though the root thereof grew old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; ⁹ Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant. ¹⁰ But man dies, and wastes away: yes, man gives up the spirit, and where is he? ¹¹ As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decays and dries up: ¹² So man lies down, and rises not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep. ¹³ O that you would hide me in the grave, that you would keep me secret, until your wrath be past, that you would appoint me a set time, and remember me! ¹⁴ If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. ¹⁵ You shall call, and I will answer you: you will have a desire to the work of your hands. ¹⁶ For now you number my steps: do you not watch over my sin? ¹⁷ My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and you sew up mine iniquity. ¹⁸ And surely the mountains falling comes to nothing, and the rock is removed out of his place. ¹⁹ The waters wear the stones: you wash away the things which grow out of the dust of the earth; and you destroys the hope of man. ²⁰ You prevail forever against him, and he passes: you change his countenance, and send him away. ²¹ His sons come to honor, and he knows it not; and they are brought low, but he perceives it not of them. ²² But his flesh upon him shall have pain, and his soul within him shall mourn.

Eliphaz Responds and Reprimands Job For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity and their belly prepareth deceit

Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said, ² Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind? ³ Should he reason with useless talk? or with speeches wherewith he can do no good? ⁴ Yes, you cast off fear, and restrain prayer before God. ⁵ For your mouth utters your iniquity, and you choose the tongue of the crafty. ⁶ your own mouth condemns you, and not I: yes, your own lips testify against you. ⁷ Are you the first man that was born? or were you made before the hills? ⁸ Have you heard the secret of God? and do you restrain wisdom to yourself? ⁹ What know you, that we know not? what understand you, which is not in us? ¹⁰ With us are both the grayheaded and very aged men, much elder than your father. ¹¹ Are the consolations of God small with you? is there any secret thing with you? ¹² Why does your heart carry you away? and what do your eyes overlook, ¹³ That you turn your spirit against God, and let such words go out of your mouth? ¹⁴ What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous? ¹⁵ Behold, he puts no trust in his saints; yes, the heavens are not clean in his sight. ¹⁶ How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinks iniquity like water? ¹⁷ I will show you, hear me; and that which I have seen I will declare; ¹⁸ Which wise men have told from their fathers, and have not hid it: ¹⁹ Unto whom alone the earth was given, and no stranger passed among them. ²⁰ The wicked man labors with pain all his days, and the number of years is hidden to the oppressor. ²¹ A dreadful sound is in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him. ²² He believes not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited for of the sword. ²³ He wanders abroad for bread, saying, Where is it? he knows that the day of darkness is ready at his hand. ²⁴ Trouble and anguish shall make him afraid; they shall prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle. ²⁵ For he stretches out his hand against God, and strengthens himself against the Almighty. ²⁶ He runs upon him, even on his neck, upon the thick bosses of his bucklers: ²⁷ Because he covers his face with his fatness, and makes fatness on his flanks. ²⁸ And he dwells in desolate cities, and in houses which no man inhabits, which are ready to become heaps. ²⁹ He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue, neither shall he prolong the perfection thereof upon the earth. ³⁰ He shall not depart out of darkness; the flame shall dry up his branches, and by the breath of his mouth shall he go away. ³¹ Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity: for vanity shall be his recompence. ³² It shall be accomplished before his time, and his branch shall not be green. ³³ He shall shake off his unripe grape as the vine, and shall cast off his flower as the olive. ³⁴ For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery. ³⁵ They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly prepares deceit.

Job Complains Again

Then Job answered and said, ² I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are all of you all. ³ Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldens you that you answer? ⁴ I also could speak as all of you do: if your soul were in my soul's position, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you. ⁵ But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should subside your grief. ⁶ Though I speak, my grief is not subsided: and though I forbear, what am I eased? ⁷ But now he has made me weary: you have made desolate all my company. ⁸ And you have filled me with wrinkles, which is a witness against me: and my leanness rising up in me bears witness to my face. ⁹ He tears me in his wrath, who hates me: he gnashes upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpens his eyes upon me. ¹⁰ They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me. ¹¹ God has delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked. ¹² I was at ease, but he has broken me into pieces: he has also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark. ¹³ His archers compass me round about, he cuts my reins apart, and does not spare; he pours out my gall upon the ground. ¹⁴ He breaks me with breach upon breach, he runs upon me like a giant. ¹⁵ I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and defiled my horn in the dust. ¹⁶ My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death; ¹⁷ Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure. ¹⁸ O earth, cover not you my blood, and let my cry have no place. ¹⁹ Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high. ²⁰ My friends scorn me: but mine eye pours out tears unto God. ²¹ O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleads for his neighbor! ²² When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return.

My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me. ² Are there not mockers with me? and does not mine eye continue in their provocation? ³ Lay down now, put me in a guarantor with you; who is he that will shake hands with me? ⁴ For you have hid their heart from understanding: therefore shall you not exalt them. ⁵ He that speaks flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail. ⁶ He has made me also a byword of the people; and in old times I was as a timbrel. ⁷ Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow. ⁸ Upright men shall be astonished at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite. ⁹ The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that has clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. ¹⁰ But as for you all, do all of you return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise man among you. ¹¹ My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart. ¹² They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness. ¹³ If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness. ¹⁴ I have said to corruption, You are my father: to the worm, You are my mother, and my sister. ¹⁵ And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it? ¹⁶ They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust.

Bildad Preaches a Sermon

Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, ² How long will it be before all of you make an end of words? mark, and afterwards we will speak. ³ Wherefore are we counted as beasts, and reputed vile in your sight? ⁴ He tears himself in his anger: shall the earth be forsaken for you? and shall the rock be removed out of his place? ⁵ Yes, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine. ⁶ The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him. ⁷ The steps of his strength shall be straitened, and his own counsel shall cast him down. ⁸ For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walks upon a snare. ⁹ The animal trap shall take him by the heel, and the robber shall prevail against him. ¹⁰ The snare is laid for him in the ground, and a trap for him in the way. ¹¹ Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall drive him to his feet. ¹² His strength shall be famished, and destruction shall be ready at his side. ¹³ It shall devour the strength of his skin: even the firstborn of death shall devour his strength. ¹⁴ His confidence shall be rooted out of his tabernacle, and it shall bring him to the king of terrors. ¹⁵ It shall dwell in his tabernacle, because it is none of his: brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation. ¹⁶ His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut off. ¹⁷ His remembrance shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no name in the street. ¹⁸ He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world. ¹⁹ He shall neither have son nor nephew among his people, nor any remaining in his dwellings. ²⁰ They that come after him shall be astonished at his day, as they that went before were afraid. ²¹ Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him that knows not God.

Job Remains Confident that he is Innocent For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that He [Messiah] shall stand at the latter day upon the earth and though after [death] my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my [resurrection] flesh shall I see God Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins [determination] be consumed within me

Then Job answered and said, ² How long will all of you vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words? ³ These ten times have all of you reproached me: all of you are not ashamed that all of you make yourselves strange to me. ⁴ And be it indeed that I have erred, mine error remains with myself. ⁵ If indeed all of you will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach: ⁶ Know now that God has overthrown me, and has compassed me with his net. ⁷ Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there is no judgment. ⁸ He has fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and he has set darkness in my paths. ⁹ He has stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my head. ¹⁰ He has destroyed me on every side, and I am gone: and mine hope has he removed like a tree. ¹¹ He has also kindled his wrath against me, and he counts me unto him as one of his enemies. ¹² His troops come together, and raise up their way against me, and camp round about my tabernacle. ¹³ He has put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance are assuredly cut off from me. ¹⁴ My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me. ¹⁵ They that dwell in mine house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I am an foreigner in their sight. ¹⁶ I called my servant, and he gave me no answer; I implored him with my mouth. ¹⁷ My breath is strange to my wife, though I implored for the children's sake of mine own body. ¹⁸ Yes, young children despised me; I arose, and they spoke against me. ¹⁹ All my inward friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against me. ²⁰ My bone cleaves to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth. ²¹ Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O all of you my friends; for the hand of God has touched me. ²² Why do all of you persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh? ²³ Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! ²⁴ That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! ²⁵ For I know that my redeemer lives, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: ²⁶ And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: ²⁷ Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. ²⁸ But all of you should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me? ²⁹ Be all of you afraid of the sword: for wrath brings the punishments of the sword, that all of you may know there is a judgment.

Zophar Preaches A Sermon

Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, ² Therefore do my thoughts cause me to answer, and for this I make haste. ³ I have heard the check of my reproach, and the spirit of my understanding causes me to answer. ⁴ Know you not this of old, since man was placed upon earth, ⁵ That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment? ⁶ Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds; ⁷ Yet he shall perish forever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he? ⁸ He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: yes, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night. ⁹ The eye also which saw him shall see him no more; neither shall his place any more behold him. ¹⁰ His children shall seek to please the poor, and his hands shall restore their goods. ¹¹ His bones are full of the sin of his youth, which shall lie down with him in the dust. ¹² Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue; ¹³ Though he spare it, and forsake it not; but keep it still within his mouth: ¹⁴ Yet his food in his bowels is turned, it is the gall of asps within him. ¹⁵ He has swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: God shall cast them out of his belly. ¹⁶ He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper's tongue shall slay him. ¹⁷ He shall not see the rivers, the floods, the brooks of honey and butter. ¹⁸ That which he labored for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down: according to his substance shall the restitution be, and he shall not rejoice therein. ¹⁹ Because he has oppressed and has forsaken the poor; because he has violently taken away an house which he built not; ²⁰ Surely he shall not feel quietness in his belly, he shall not save of that which he desired. ²¹ There shall none of his food be left; therefore shall no man look for his goods. ²² In the fullness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits: every hand of the wicked shall come upon him. ²³ When he is about to fill his belly, God shall cast the fury of his wrath upon him, and shall rain it upon him while he is eating. ²⁴ He shall flee from the iron weapon, and the bow of steel shall strike him through. ²⁵ It is drawn, and comes out of the body; yes, the glittering sword comes out of his gall: terrors are upon him. ²⁶ All darkness shall be hid in his secret places: a fire not blown shall consume him; it shall go ill with him that is left in his tabernacle. ²⁷ The heaven shall reveal his iniquity; and the earth shall rise up against him. ²⁸ The increase of his house shall depart, and his goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath. ²⁹ This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed unto him by God.

Job Replies and begins to Preach his Sermon

But Job answered and said, ² Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations. ³ Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on. ⁴ As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled? ⁵ Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth. ⁶ Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling takes hold on my flesh. ⁷ Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yes, are mighty in power? ⁸ Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes. ⁹ Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them. ¹⁰ Their bull genders, and fails not; their cow calves, and casts not her calf. ¹¹ They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance. ¹² They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ. ¹³ They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. ¹⁴ Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of your ways. ¹⁵ What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? ¹⁶ Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me. ¹⁷ How often is the candle of the wicked put out! and how often comes their destruction upon them! God distributes sorrows in his anger. ¹⁸ They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carries away. ¹⁹ God lays up his iniquity for his children: he rewards him, and he shall know it. ²⁰ His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty. ²¹ For what pleasure has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst? ²² Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judges those that are high. ²³ One dies in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet. ²⁴ His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow. ²⁵ And another dies in the bitterness of his soul, and never eats with pleasure. ²⁶ They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them. ²⁷ Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which all of you wrongfully imagine against me. ²⁸ For all of you say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked? ²⁹ Have all of you not asked them that go by the way? and do all of you not know their tokens, ³⁰ That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath. ³¹ Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he has done? ³² Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb. ³³ The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him. ³⁴ How then comfort all of you me in vain, seeing in your answers there remains falsehood?

Job Dismisses his Friends Council and Claims to Want Direct Access to God

Eliphaz Now Also Accuses Job of Harboring Sins

Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said, ² Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself? ³ Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that you are righteous? or is it gain to him, that you make your ways perfect? ⁴ Will he reprove you for fear of you? will he enter with you into judgment? ⁵ Is not your wickedness great? and your iniquities infinite? ⁶ For you have taken a pledge from your brother for nothing, and stripped the naked of their clothing. ⁷ You have not given water to the weary to drink, and you have withheld bread from the hungry. ⁸ But as for the mighty man, he had the earth; and the honorable man dwelt in it. ⁹ You have sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken. ¹⁰ Therefore snares are round about you, and sudden fear troubles you; ¹¹ Or darkness, that you cannot see; and abundance of waters cover you. ¹² Is not God in the height of heaven? and behold the height of the stars, how high they are! ¹³ And you says, How does God know? can he judge through the dark cloud? ¹⁴ Thick clouds are a covering to him, that he sees not; and he walks in the circuit of heaven. ¹⁵ Have you marked the old way which wicked men have trodden? ¹⁶ Which were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflowed with a flood: ¹⁷ Which said unto God, Depart from us: and what can the Almighty do for them? ¹⁸ Yet he filled their houses with good things: but the counsel of the wicked is far from me. ¹⁹ The righteous see it, and are glad: and the innocent laugh them to scorn. ²⁰ Whereas our substance is not cut down, but the remnant of them the fire consumes. ²¹ Acquaint now yourself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto you. ²² Receive, I pray you, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in your heart. ²³ If you return to the Almighty, you shall be built up, you shall put away iniquity far from your tabernacles. ²⁴ Then shall you lay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks. ²⁵ Yes, the Almighty shall be your defense, and you shall have plenty of silver. ²⁶ For then shall you have your delight in the Almighty, and shall lift up your face unto God. ²⁷ You shall make your prayer unto him, and he shall hear you, and you shall pay your vows. ²⁸ You shall also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto you: and the light shall shine upon your ways. ²⁹ When men are cast down, then you shall say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person. ³⁰ He shall deliver the island of the innocent: and it is delivered by the pureness of your hands.

Then Job answered and said, ² Even today is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning. ³ Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! ⁴ I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. ⁵ I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me. ⁶ Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me. ⁷ There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered forever from my judge. ⁸ Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: ⁹ On the left hand, where he does work, but I cannot behold him: he hides himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: ¹⁰ But he knows the way that I take: when he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. ¹¹ My foot has held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. ¹² Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. ¹³ But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desires, even that he does. ¹⁴ For he performs the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him. ¹⁵ Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him. ¹⁶ For God makes my heart soft, and the Almighty troubles me: ¹⁷ Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither has he covered the darkness from my face.

Why, seeing times are not hidden from the Almighty, do they that know him not see his days? ² Some remove the landmarks; they violently take away flocks, and feed thereof. ³ They drive away the donkey of the fatherless, they take the widow's ox for a pledge. ⁴ They turn the needy out of the way: the poor of the earth hide themselves together. ⁵ Behold, as wild donkeys in the desert, go they forth to their work; rising early for a prey: the wilderness yields food for them and for their children. ⁶ They reap everyone his corn in the field: and they gather the vintage of the wicked. ⁷ They cause the naked to lodge without clothing, that they have no covering in the cold. ⁸ They are wet with the showers of the mountains, and embrace the rock for lack of a shelter. ⁹ They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor. ¹⁰ They cause him to go naked without clothing, and they take away the sheaf from the hungry; ¹¹ Which make oil within their walls, and tread their winepresses, and suffer thirst. ¹² Men groan from out of the city, and the soul of the wounded cries out: yet God lays not folly to them. ¹³ They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof. ¹⁴ The murderer rising with the light kills the poor and needy, and in the night is as a thief. ¹⁵ The eye also of the adulterer waits for the twilight, saying, No eye shall see me: and disguises his face. ¹⁶ In the dark they dig through houses, which they had marked for themselves in the daytime: they know not the light. ¹⁷ For the morning is to them even as the shadow of death: if one know them, they are in the terrors of the shadow of death. ¹⁸ He is swift as the waters; their portion is cursed in the earth: he beholds not the way of the vineyards. ¹⁹ Drought and heat consume the snow waters: so does the grave those which have sinned. ²⁰ The womb shall forget him; the worm shall feed sweetly on him; he shall be no more remembered; and wickedness shall be broken as a tree. ²¹ He evil entreats the barren that bears not: and does not good to the widow. ²² He draws also the mighty with his power: he rises up, and no man is sure of life. ²³ Though it be given him to be in safety, whereon he rests; yet his eyes are upon their ways. ²⁴ They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all other, and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn. ²⁵ And if it be not so now, who will make me a liar, and make my speech nothing worth?

Bildad Replies that People are Sinful and Separated from God

Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, ² Dominion and fear are with him, he makes peace in his high places. ³ Is there any number of his armies? and upon whom does not his light arise? ⁴ How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman? ⁵ Behold even to the moon, and it shines not; yes, the stars are not pure in his sight. ⁶ How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm?

Job's Rebuttal

But Job answered and said, ² How have you helped him that is without power? how save you the arm that has no strength? ³ How have you counselled him that has no wisdom? and how have you plentifully declared the thing as it is? ⁴ To whom have you uttered words? and whose spirit came from you? ⁵ Dead things are formed from under the waters, and the inhabitants thereof. ⁶ Hell is naked before him, and destruction has no covering. ⁷ He stretches out the north over the empty place, and hangs the earth upon nothing. ⁸ He binds up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not torn under them. ⁹ He holds back the face of his throne, and spreads his cloud upon it. ¹⁰ He has compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end. ¹¹ The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof. ¹² He divides the sea with his power, and by his understanding he strikes through the proud. ¹³ By his spirit he has garnished the heavens; his hand has formed the crooked serpent. ¹⁴ Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?

Job Replies and Preaches on the Fate of the Wicked

Moreover Job continued his parable, and said, ² As God lives, who has taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who has vexed my soul; ³ All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils; ⁴ My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit. ⁵ God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me. ⁶ My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live. ⁷ Let mine enemy be as the wicked, and he that rises up against me as the unrighteous. ⁸ For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he has gained, when God takes away his soul? ⁹ Will God hear his cry when trouble comes upon him? ¹⁰ Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon God? ¹¹ I will teach you by the hand of God: that which is with the Almighty will I not conceal. ¹² Behold, all you yourselves have seen it; why then are all of you thus altogether vain? ¹³ This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty. ¹⁴ If his children be multiplied, it is for the sword: and his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread. ¹⁵ Those that remain of him shall be buried in death: and his widows shall not weep. ¹⁶ Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay; ¹⁷ He may prepare it, but the just shall put it on, and the innocent shall divide the silver. ¹⁸ He builds his house as a moth, and as a booth that the keeper makes. ¹⁹ The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered: he opens his eyes, and he is not. ²⁰ Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest steals him away in the night. ²¹ The east wind carries him away, and he departs: and as a storm hurls him out of his place. ²² For God shall cast upon him, and not spare: he would fain flee out of his hand. ²³ Men shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place.

Job Continues with his Wisdom

Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where they fine it. ² Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass is molten out of the stone. ³ He sets an end to darkness, and searches out all perfection: the stones of darkness, and the shadow of death. ⁴ The flood breaks out from the inhabitant; even the waters forgotten of the foot: they are dried up, they are gone away from men. ⁵ As for the earth, out of it comes bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire. ⁶ The stones of it are the place of sapphires: and it has dust of gold. ⁷ There is a path which no fowl knows, and which the vulture's eye has not seen: ⁸ The lion's whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it. ⁹ He puts forth his hand upon the rock; he overturns the mountains by the roots. ¹⁰ He cuts out rivers among the rocks; and his eye sees every precious thing. ¹¹ He binds the floods from overflowing; and the thing that is hid brings he forth to light. ¹² But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? ¹³ Man knows not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living. ¹⁴ The depth says, It is not in me: and the sea says, It is not with me. ¹⁵ It cannot be got for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. ¹⁶ It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire. ¹⁷ The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold. ¹⁸ No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies. ¹⁹ The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold. ²⁰ Whence then comes wisdom? and where is the place of understanding? ²¹ Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air. ²² Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears. ²³ God understands the way thereof, and he knows the place thereof. ²⁴ For he looks to the ends of the earth, and sees under the whole heaven; ²⁵ To make the weight for the winds; and he weights the waters by measure. ²⁶ When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder: ²⁷ Then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yes, and searched it out. ²⁸ And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

Job Defends his Actions in Life as Righteousness

Moreover Job continued his parable, and said, ² Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me; ³ When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness; ⁴ As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle; ⁵ When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me; ⁶ When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil; ⁷ When I went out to the gate through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street! ⁸ The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up. ⁹ The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth. ¹⁰ The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth. ¹¹ When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me: ¹² Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. ¹³ The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. ¹⁴ I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem. ¹⁵ I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. ¹⁶ I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out. ¹⁷ And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth. ¹⁸ Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand. ¹⁹ My root was spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch. ²⁰ My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand. ²¹ Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel. ²² After my words they spoke not again; and my speech dropped upon them. ²³ And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain. ²⁴ If I laughed on them, they believed it not; and the light of my countenance they cast not down. ²⁵ I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforts the mourners.

But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock. ² Yes, whereto might the strength of their hands profit me, in whom old age was perished? ³ For lack and famine they were solitary; fleeing into the wilderness in former time desolate and waste. ⁴ Who cut up mallows by the bushes, and juniper roots for their food. ⁵ They were driven forth from among men, they cried after them as after a thief; ⁶ To dwell in the cliffs of the valleys, in caves of the earth, and in the rocks. ⁷ Among the bushes they brayed; under the nettles they were gathered together. ⁸ They were children of fools, yes, children of base men: they were viler than the earth. ⁹ And now am I their song, yes, I am their byword. ¹⁰ They detest me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face. ¹¹ Because he has loosed my cord, and afflicted me, they have also let loose the bridle before me. ¹² Upon my right hand rise the youth; they push away my feet, and they raise up against me the ways of their destruction. ¹³ They ruin my path, they set forward my calamity, they have no helper. ¹⁴ They came upon me as a wide breaking in of waters: in the desolation they rolled themselves upon me. ¹⁵ Terrors are turned upon me: they pursue my soul as the wind: and my welfare passes away as a cloud. ¹⁶ And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me. ¹⁷ My bones are pierced in me in the night season: and my sinews take no rest. ¹⁸ By the great force of my disease is my garment changed: it binds me about as the collar of my coat. ¹⁹ He has cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes. ²⁰ I cry unto you, and you do not hear me: I stand up, and you regard me not. ²¹ You are become cruel to me: with your strong hand you oppose yourself against me. ²² You lift me up to the wind; you cause me to ride upon it, and dissolve my substance. ²³ For I know that you will bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living. ²⁴ Nevertheless he will not stretch out his hand to the grave, though they cry in his destruction. ²⁵ Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? was not my soul grieved for the poor? ²⁶ When I looked for good, then evil came unto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkness. ²⁷ My bowels boiled, and rested not: the days of affliction prevented me. ²⁸ I went mourning without the sun: I stood up, and I cried in the congregation. ²⁹ I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls. ³⁰ My skin is black upon me, and my bones are burned with heat. ³¹ My harp also is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that weep.

I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? ² For what portion of God is there from above? and what inheritance of the Almighty from on high? ³ Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity? ⁴ Does not he see my ways, and count all my steps? ⁵ If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot has hasted to deceit; ⁶ Let me be weighed in an even balance that God may know mine integrity. ⁷ If my step has turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot has cleaved to mine hands; ⁸ Then let me plant, and let another eat; yes, let my offspring be rooted out. ⁹ If mine heart have been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my neighbor's door; ¹⁰ Then let my wife grind unto another, and let others bow down upon her. ¹¹ For this is an heinous crime; yes, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges. ¹² For it is a fire that consumes to destruction, and would root out all mine increase. ¹³ If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me; ¹⁴ What then shall I do when God rises up? and when he visits, what shall I answer him? ¹⁵ Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb? ¹⁶ If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail; ¹⁷ Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless has not eaten thereof; ¹⁸ For from my youth he was brought up with me, as with a father, and I have guided her from my mother's womb; ¹⁹ If I have seen any perish for lack of clothing, or any poor without covering; ²⁰ If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep; ²¹ If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate: ²² Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone. ²³ For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure. ²⁴ If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, You are my confidence; ²⁵ If I rejoice because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had got much; ²⁶ If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness; ²⁷ And my heart has been secretly enticed, or my mouth has kissed my hand: ²⁸ This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above. ²⁹ If I rejoice at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him: ³⁰ Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul. ³¹ If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied. ³² The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveler. ³³ If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom: ³⁴ Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door? ³⁵ Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book. ³⁶ Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me. ³⁷ I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near unto him. ³⁸ If my land cry against me, or that the furrows likewise thereof complain; ³⁹ If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life: ⁴⁰ Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.

Elihu an Unknown Bystander from the Crowd now Addresses Job and his Three Friends because he (Job) justified himself rather than God

So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. ² Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God. ³ Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. ⁴ Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he. ⁵ When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled. ⁶ And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and all of you are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not show you mine opinion. ⁷ I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. ⁸ But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty gives them understanding. ⁹ Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. ¹⁰ Therefore I said, Listen to me; I also will show mine opinion. ¹¹ Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst all of you searched out what to say. ¹² Yes, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words: ¹³ Lest all of you should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusts him down, not man. ¹⁴ Now he has not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches. ¹⁵ They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking. ¹⁶ When I had waited, for they spoke not, but stood still, and answered no more; ¹⁷ I said, I will answer also my part, I also will show mine opinion. ¹⁸ For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constrains me. ¹⁹ Behold, my belly is as wine which has no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles. ²⁰ I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer. ²¹ Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. ²² For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.

Elihu gives a Speech to End All Speeches

Wherefore, Job, I pray you, hear my speeches, and listen to all my words. ² Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue has spoken in my mouth. ³ My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly. ⁴ The spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty has given me life. ⁵ If you can answer me, set your words in order before me, stand up. ⁶ Behold, I am according to your wish in God's position: I also am formed out of the clay. ⁷ Behold, my terror shall not make you afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon you. ⁸ Surely you have spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of your words, saying, ⁹ I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me. ¹⁰ Behold, he finds occasions against me, he counts me for his enemy, ¹¹ He puts my feet in the stocks, he marks all my paths. ¹² Behold, in this you are not just: I will answer you, that God is greater than man. ¹³ Why do you strive against him? for he gives not account of any of his matters. ¹⁴ For God speaks once, yes twice, yet man perceives it not. ¹⁵ In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; ¹⁶ Then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction, ¹⁷ That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. ¹⁸ He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. ¹⁹ He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain: ²⁰ So that his life detests bread, and his soul dainty food. ²¹ His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out. ²² Yes, his soul draws near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers. ²³ If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show unto man his uprightness: ²⁴ Then he is gracious unto him, and says, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. ²⁵ His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth: ²⁶ He shall pray unto God, and he will be favorable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness. ²⁷ He looks upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; ²⁸ He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light. ²⁹ Lo, all these things works God oftentimes with man, ³⁰ To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living. ³¹ Mark well, O Job, listen unto me: hold your peace, and I will speak. ³² If you have anything to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify you. ³³ If not, listen unto me: hold your peace, and I shall teach you wisdom.

Furthermore Elihu answered and said, ² Hear my words, O all of you wise men; and give ear unto me, all of you that have knowledge. ³ For the ear tries words, as the mouth tastes food. ⁴ Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good. ⁵ For Job has said, I am righteous: and God has taken away my judgment. ⁶ Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression. ⁷ What man is like Job, who drinks up scorning like water? ⁸ Which goes in company with the workers of iniquity, and walks with wicked men. ⁹ For he has said, It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God. ¹⁰ Therefore listen unto me all of you men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity. ¹¹ For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways. ¹² Yes, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment. ¹³ Who has given him a charge over the earth? or who has disposed the whole world? ¹⁴ If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; ¹⁵ All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return unto dust. ¹⁶ If now you have understanding, hear this: listen to the voice of my words. ¹⁷ Shall even he that hates right govern? and will you condemn him that is most just? ¹⁸ Is it fit to say to a king, You are wicked? and to princes, All of you are ungodly? ¹⁹ How much less to him that accepts not the persons of princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands. ²⁰ In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand. ²¹ For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he sees all his activities. ²² There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. ²³ For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God. ²⁴ He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their position. ²⁵ Therefore he knows their works, and he overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed. ²⁶ He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others; ²⁷ Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways: ²⁸ So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he hears the cry of the afflicted. ²⁹ When he gives quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hides his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only: ³⁰ That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared. ³¹ Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more: ³² That which I see not teach you me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more. ³³ Should it be according to your mind? he will recompense it, whether you refuse, or whether you choose; and not I: therefore speak what you know. ³⁴ Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man listen unto me. ³⁵ Job has spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom. ³⁶ My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men. ³⁷ For he adds rebellion unto his sin, he claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God.

Elihu spoke moreover, and said, ² Think you this to be right, that you said, My righteousness is more than God's? ³ For you said, What advantage will it be unto you? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin? ⁴ I will answer you, and your companions with you. ⁵ Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than you. ⁶ If you sin, what do you against him? or if your transgressions be multiplied, what do you unto him? ⁷ If you be righteous, what give you him? or what receives he of your hand? ⁸ Your wickedness may hurt a man as you are; and your righteousness may profit the son of man. ⁹ By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty. ¹⁰ But none says, Where is God my maker, who gives songs in the night; ¹¹ Who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth, and makes us wiser than the fowls of heaven? ¹² There they cry, but none gives answer, because of the pride of evil men. ¹³ Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it. ¹⁴ Although you says you shall not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust you in him. ¹⁵ But now, because it is not so, he has visited in his anger; yet he knows it not in great extremity: ¹⁶ Therefore does Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplies words without knowledge.

Elihu also proceeded, and said, ² Suffer me a little, and I will show you that I have yet to speak on God's behalf. ³ I will fetch my knowledge from far, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker. ⁴ For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with you. ⁵ Behold, God is mighty, and despises not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom. ⁶ He perserves not the life of the wicked: but gives right to the poor. ⁷ He withdraws not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yes, he does establish them forever, and they are exalted. ⁸ And if they be bound in fetters, and be held in cords of affliction; ⁹ Then he shows them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded. ¹⁰ He opens also their ear to discipline, and commands that they return from iniquity. ¹¹ If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. ¹² But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge. ¹³ But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he binds them. ¹⁴ They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean. ¹⁵ He delivers the poor in his affliction, and opens their ears in oppression. ¹⁶ Even so would he have removed you out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no strictness; and that which should be set on your table should be full of fatness. ¹⁷ But you have fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on you. ¹⁸ Because there is wrath, beware lest he take you away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver you. ¹⁹ Will he esteem your riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength. ²⁰ Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place. ²¹ Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this have you chosen rather than affliction. ²² Behold, God exalts by his power: who teaches like him? ²³ Who has commanded with authority him his way? or who can say, You have wrought iniquity? ²⁴ Remember that you magnify his work, which men behold. ²⁵ Every man may see it; man may behold it far off. ²⁶ Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out. ²⁷ For he makes small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapor thereof: ²⁸ Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly. ²⁹ Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle? ³⁰ Behold, he spreads his light upon it, and covers the bottom of the sea. ³¹ For by them judges he the people; he gives food in abundance. ³² With clouds he covers the light; and commands it not to shine by the cloud that comes between. ³³ The noise thereof shows concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapor.

At this also my heart trembles, and is moved out of his place. ² Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goes out of his mouth. ³ He directs it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth. ⁴ After it a voice roars: he thunders with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard. ⁵ God thunders marvelously with his voice; great things does he, which we cannot comprehend. ⁶ For he says to the snow, Be you on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength. ⁷ He seals up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work. ⁸ Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places. ⁹ Out of the south comes the whirlwind: and cold out of the north. ¹⁰ By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened. ¹¹ Also by watering he wearies the thick cloud: he scatters his bright cloud: ¹² And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commands them upon the face of the world in the earth. ¹³ He causes it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy. ¹⁴ Listen unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God. ¹⁵ Do you know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine? ¹⁶ Do you know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge? ¹⁷ How your garments are warm, when he stills the earth by the south wind? ¹⁸ Have you with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass? ¹⁹ Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness. ²⁰ Shall it be told him that I speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up. ²¹ And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passes, and cleanses them. ²² Fair weather comes out of the north: with God is terrible majesty. ²³ Concerning the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict. ²⁴ Men do therefore fear him: he respects not any that are wise of heart.

Now The LORD Answers Job Job and his friends are speaking “words without knowledge”

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, ² Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? ³ Gird up now your loins like a man; for I will demand of you, and answer you me. ⁴ Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if you have understanding. ⁵ Who has laid the measures thereof, if you know? or who has stretched the line upon it? ⁶ Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; ⁷ When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? ⁸ Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb? ⁹ When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddling band for it, ¹⁰ And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors, ¹¹ And said, Until now shall you come, but no further: and here shall your proud waves be stayed? ¹² Have you commanded the morning since your days; and caused the dayspring to know his place; ¹³ That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it? ¹⁴ It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment. ¹⁵ And from the wicked their light is withheld, and the high arm shall be broken. ¹⁶ Have you entered into the springs of the sea? or have you walked in the search of the depth? ¹⁷ Have the gates of death been opened unto you? or have you seen the doors of the shadow of death? ¹⁸ Have you perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if you know it all. ¹⁹ Where is the way where light dwells? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof, ²⁰ That you should take it to the bound thereof, and that you should know the paths to the house thereof? ²¹ Know you it, because you were then born? or because the number of your days is great? ²² Have you entered into the treasures of the snow? or have you seen the treasures of the hail, ²³ Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war? ²⁴ By what way is the light parted, which scatters the east wind upon the earth? ²⁵ Who has divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder; ²⁶ To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man; ²⁷ To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth? ²⁸ Has the rain a father? or who has begotten the drops of dew? ²⁹ Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who has gendered it? ³⁰ The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen. ³¹ Can you bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? ³² Can you bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or can you guide Arcturus with his sons? ³³ Know you the ordinances of heaven? can you set the dominion thereof in the earth? ³⁴ Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover you? ³⁵ Can you send lightnings, that they may go and say unto you, Here we are? ³⁶ Who has put wisdom in the inward parts? or who has given understanding to the heart? ³⁷ Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven, ³⁸ When the dust grows into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together? ³⁹ Will you hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions, ⁴⁰ When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait? ⁴¹ Who provides for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of food.

Know you the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or can you mark when the hinds do calve? ² Can you number the months that they fulfill? or know you the time when they bring forth? ³ They bow themselves, they bring forth their young ones, they cast out their sorrows. ⁴ Their young ones are in good looking, they grow up with corn; they go forth, and return not unto them. ⁵ Who has sent out the wild donkey free? or who has loosed the bands of the wild donkey? ⁶ Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings. ⁷ He scorns the multitude of the city, neither regards he the crying of the driver. ⁸ The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searches after every green thing. ⁹ Will the unicorn p. ox be willing to serve you, or abide by your crib? ¹⁰ Can you bind the unicorn p. ox with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after you? ¹¹ Will you trust him, because his strength is great? or will you leave your labor to him? ¹² Will you believe him, that he will bring home your seed, and gather it into your barn? ¹³ Gave you the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich? ¹⁴ Which left her eggs in the earth, and warms them in dust, ¹⁵ And forgets that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them. ¹⁶ She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not her's: her labor is in vain without fear; ¹⁷ Because God has deprived her of wisdom, neither has he imparted to her understanding. ¹⁸ What time she lifts up herself on high, she scorns the horse and his rider. ¹⁹ Have you given the horse strength? have you clothed his neck with thunder? ²⁰ Can you make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible. ²¹ He paws in the valley, and rejoices in his strength: he goes on to meet the armed men. ²² He mocks at fear, and is not frightened; neither turns he back from the sword. ²³ The quiver rattles against him, the glittering spear and the shield. ²⁴ He swallows the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believes he that it is the sound of the trumpet. ²⁵ He says among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smells the battle far off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting. ²⁶ Does the hawk fly by your wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south? ²⁷ Does the eagle mount up at your command, and make her nest on high? ²⁸ She dwells and abides on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place. ²⁹ From thence she seeks the prey, and her eyes behold far off. ³⁰ Her young ones also suck up blood: and where the slain are, there is she.

Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said, ² Shall he that contends with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproves God, let him answer it. ³ Then Job answered the LORD, and said, ⁴ Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer you? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. ⁵ Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yes, twice; but I will proceed no further. ⁶ Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said, ⁷ Gird up your loins now like a man: I will demand of you, and declare you unto me. ⁸ Will you also nullify my judgment? will you condemn me, that you may be righteous? ⁹ Have you an arm like God? or can you thunder with a voice like him? ¹⁰ Deck yourself now with majesty and excellency; and array yourself with glory and beauty. ¹¹ Cast abroad the rage of your wrath: and behold everyone that is proud, and bring low him. ¹² Look on everyone that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place. ¹³ Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret. ¹⁴ Then will I also confess unto you that your own right hand can save you. ¹⁵ Behold now behemoth, which I made with you; he eats grass as an ox. ¹⁶ Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly. ¹⁷ He moves his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together. ¹⁸ His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron. ¹⁹ He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him. ²⁰ Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play. ²¹ He lies under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens. ²² The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about. ²³ Behold, he drinks up a river, and hastes not: he trusts that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth. ²⁴ He takes it with his eyes: his nose pierces through snares.

Can you draw out leviathan p. sea serpent with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which you let down? ² Can you put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn? ³ Will he make many supplications unto you? will he speak soft words unto you? ⁴ Will he make a covenant with you? will you take him for a servant forever? ⁵ Will you play with him as with a bird? or will you bind him for your maidens? ⁶ Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants? ⁷ Can you fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears? ⁸ Lay your hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more. ⁹ Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him? ¹⁰ None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me? ¹¹ Who has prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine. ¹² I will not conceal his parts, nor his power, nor his comely proportion. ¹³ Who can discover the face of his garment? or who can come to him with his double bridle? ¹⁴ Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about. ¹⁵ His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal. ¹⁶ One is so near to another, that no air can come between them. ¹⁷ They are joined one to another, they stick together, that they cannot be sundered. ¹⁸ By his exhaling a light does shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. ¹⁹ Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out. ²⁰ Out of his nostrils goes smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron. ²¹ His breath kindles coals, and a flame goes out of his mouth. ²² In his neck remains strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him. ²³ The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved. ²⁴ His heart is as firm as a stone; yes, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone. ²⁵ When he raises up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves. ²⁶ The sword of him that lays at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the armor of jacket. ²⁷ He esteems iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood. ²⁸ The arrow cannot make him flee: sling stones are turned with him into stubble. ²⁹ Darts are counted as stubble: he laughs at the shaking of a spear. ³⁰ Sharp stones are under him: he spreads sharp pointed things upon the mire. ³¹ He makes the deep to boil like a pot: he makes the sea like a pot of ointment. ³² He makes a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary. ³³ Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear. ³⁴ He beholds all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.

Job Responds and Humbly Repents to God I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear [from others] but now [my own experience] mine eye seeth [comprehend] Thee Wherefore I abhor [my sins] myself, and repent in dust and ashes

Then Job answered the LORD, and said, ² I know that you can do everything, and that no thought can be withheld from you. ³ Who is he that hides counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. ⁴ Hear, I plead to you, and I will speak: I will demand of you, and declare you unto me. ⁵ I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye sees you. ⁶ Wherefore I detest myself, and repent in dust and ashes. ⁷ And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against you, and against your two friends: for all of you have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job has. ⁸ Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that all of you have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job. ⁹ So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job.

God Restores a Repentant Job to More Than his Previous Status

¹⁰ And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. ¹¹ Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and everyone an earring of gold. ¹² So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she-asses. ¹³ He had also seven sons and three daughters. ¹⁴ And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Keren-happuch. ¹⁵ And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren. ¹⁶ After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four generations. ¹⁷ So Job died, being old and full of days.

Psalms - Introduction

The 5 Books of Psalms

Book 1: Psalms 1-41 Book 2: Psalms 42-72 Book 3: Psalms 73-89 Book 4: Psalms 90-106 Book 5: Psalms 107-150

Notes:

Psalm 136 is generally called “the great Hallel”, but the Talmud also includes Psalms 120-135. Psalms 113-118 constitute the Hallel, which is recited on the three great feasts, (Passover, Weeks, and Tabernacles); at the new moon; and on the eight days of Hanukkah. A version of Psalm 136 with slightly different wording appears in the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Psalms 120-134 are referred to as Songs of Ascents, and are thought to have been used as hymns of approach by pilgrims to the Temple in Jerusalem.

Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm. It is composed of 176 verses, in sets of eight verses, each set beginning with one of the 22 Hebrew letters.

Psalm 117 is the shortest Psalm, containing only two verses.

Psalm 23 “The Lord is my Shepherd” is the generally the most known psalm.

Categories:

Hymns in General: Psalms 8, 19, 29, 33, 65, 67, 68, 96, 98, 100, 103, 104, 105, 111, 113, 114, 117, 135, 136, 139, 145-150

Psalm Liturgies: Corporate Worship - Psalms 15, 20, 24, 14/53, 66, 81, 82, 85, 95, 107, 115, 118, 121, 126, 132, 134 Pilgrim Liturgies - Psalms 81, 21 Entrance Liturgies - Psalms 15, 24 Judgment Liturgies - Psalms 50, 82

Historical Litanies - Psalms 78, 105, 106, 135, 136 Future Restoration - Psalm 94, 126 Millennial Kingdom - Psalm 72

Thanksgiving Psalms: Community - Psalms 66:8-12, 67, 124, 129 Individual - Psalms 18, 30, 32, 34, 40:2-12, 41, 66:1-7, 92, 100, 107, 116, 118, 138 Thank Offering - Psalms 50:14, 22:22, 23, 26:12, (Jonah 2:9)

Pilgrimage - Psalms 32, 122 Songs of Zion - Psalms 48, 76, 84, 87, 122, 134

Royal Psalms - Psalms 2, 18, 20, 21, 45, 72, 101, 110, 132, 144:1-11, 89:47-52 Psalms of God's Enthronement - Psalms 47, 93, 96:10-13, 97, 99

Wisdom Psalms - Psalms 1, 37, 49, 73, 91, 112, 127, 128, 133 Psalms of Trust - Psalms 4, 11, 16, 23, 27:1-6, 62, 131 (Psalm 125 is a national song of trust)

Psalms of Confession - Psalms 51, 130 National penitence - Psalms 78, 81, 106, (Ezra 9:9-15), (Neh 9:9-38), (Dan 9:4-19)

Psalms Protecting Innocence - Psalms 5, 7, 17, 26 Psalms of Vengeance - Psalm 109

Complaint or Lament psalms: Communal - Psalms 44, 58, 60, 74, 79, 80, 83, 106, 125 Individual - Psalms 3, 5, 6, 7, 13, 17, 22, 25, 26, 27:7-14, 28, 31, 35, 38, 39, 42-43, 54-57, 59, 61, 63, 64, 69, 70, 71, 86, 88, 102, 109, 120, 130, 140, 141, 142, 143

Mixed - Psalms 9-10, 12, 77, 90, 94, 119, 123, 137 Mixed types - Psalms 36, 40, 41, 68 Miscellaneous - Psalms 36, 50, 52, 75, 82, 108

Generally these psalms consist of praise and can be subdivided into 1) Hymns of Divine Kingship (e.g. Psalm 29), 2) Creation Hymns (e.g. Psalm 104), and 3) Hymns celebrating divine action in Israel's history (e.g. Psalm 105 and 106). These psalms describe the relationship between the Israelite people and God and recognizes His power and majesty, a theme that is found in other wisdom literature. Gunkel also described a special subset of Eschatological Hymns which includes themes of future restoration (Psalm 126) or of judgment (Psalm 82).

by German biblical scholars Hermann Gunkel and Joachim Begrich

THE BOOK OF

Book 1: Psalms 1-41

Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. ² But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law does he meditate day and night. ³ And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper. ⁴ The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. ⁵ Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. ⁶ For the LORD knows the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? ² The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, ³ Let us break their bands into pieces, and cast away their cords from us. ⁴ He that sits in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision. ⁵ Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. ⁶ Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. ⁷ I will declare the decree: the LORD has said unto me, You are my Son; this day have I begotten you. ⁸ Ask of me, and I shall give you the heathen for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession. ⁹ You shall break them with a rod of iron; you shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. ¹⁰ Be wise now therefore, O all of you kings: be instructed, all of you judges of the earth. ¹¹ Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. ¹² Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and all of you perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.

Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. ² Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. ³ But you, O LORD, are a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. ⁴ I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. ⁵ I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. ⁶ I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. ⁷ Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for you have smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; you have broken the teeth of the ungodly. ⁸ Salvation belongs unto the LORD: your blessing is upon your people. Selah.

To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David.

Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: you have enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer. ² O all of you sons of men, how long will all of you turn my glory into shame? how long will all of you love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah. ³ But know that the LORD has set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him. ⁴ Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. ⁵ Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD. ⁶ There be many that say, Who will show us any good? LORD, lift you up the light of your countenance upon us. ⁷ You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. ⁸ I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for you, LORD, only make me dwell in safety.

To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David.

Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. ² Listen unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto you will I pray. ³ My voice shall you hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto you, and will look up. ⁴ For you are not a God that has pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with you. ⁵ The foolish shall not stand in your sight: you hate all workers of iniquity. ⁶ You shall destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will detest the bloody and deceitful man. ⁷ But as for me, I will come into your house in the multitude of your mercy: and in your fear will I worship toward your holy temple. ⁸ Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of mine enemies; make your way straight before my face. ⁹ For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open tomb; they flatter with their tongue. ¹⁰ Destroy you them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against you. ¹¹ But let all those that put their trust in you rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because you defend them: let them also that love your name be joyful in you. ¹² For you, LORD, will bless the righteous; with favor will you compass him as with a shield.

To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.

O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, neither chasten me in your hot displeasure. ² Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed. ³ My soul is also sore vexed: but you, O LORD, how long? ⁴ Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for your mercies' sake. ⁵ For in death there is no remembrance of you: in the grave who shall give you thanks? ⁶ I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. ⁷ Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it grows old because of all mine enemies. ⁸ Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity; for the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping. ⁹ The LORD has heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer. ¹⁰ Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly.

Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the Lord, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite.

O LORD my God, in you do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: ² Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver. ³ O LORD my God, If I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands; ⁴ If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; yes, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy: ⁵ Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yes, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honor in the dust. Selah. ⁶ Arise, O LORD, in your anger, lift up yourself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that you have commanded. ⁷ So shall the congregation of the people compass you about: for their sakes therefore return you on high. ⁸ The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me. ⁹ Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God tries the hearts and reins. ¹⁰ My defense is of God, which saves the upright in heart. ¹¹ God judges the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. ¹² If he turn not, he will sharpen his sword; he has bent his bow, and made it ready. ¹³ He has also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordains his arrows against the persecutors. ¹⁴ Behold, he labors with iniquity, and has conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. ¹⁵ He made a pit, and dug it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. ¹⁶ His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own crown of the head. ¹⁷ I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.

To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David.

O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth! who have set your glory above the heavens. ² Out of the mouth of babes and infants have you ordained strength because of your enemies, that you might still the enemy and the avenger. ³ When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained; ⁴ What is man, that you are mindful of him? and the son of man, that you visit him? ⁵ For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and have crowned him with glory and honor. ⁶ You made him to have dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet: ⁷ All sheep and oxen, yes, and the beasts of the field; ⁸ The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passes through the paths of the seas. ⁹ O LORD our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth!

To the chief Musician upon Muthlabben, A Psalm of David.

I will praise you, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will show forth all your marvelous works. ² I will be glad and rejoice in you: I will sing praise to your name, O you most High. ³ When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at your presence. ⁴ For you have maintained my right and my cause; you sat in the throne judging right. ⁵ You have rebuked the heathen, you have destroyed the wicked, you have put out their name forever and ever. ⁶ O you enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and you have destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them. ⁷ But the LORD shall endure forever: he has prepared his throne for judgment. ⁸ And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness. ⁹ The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. ¹⁰ And they that know your name will put their trust in you: for you, LORD, have not forsaken them that seek you. ¹¹ Sing praises to the LORD, which dwells in Zion: declare among the people his doings. ¹² When he makes inquisition for blood, he remembers them: he forgets not the cry of the humble. ¹³ Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, you that lift me up from the gates of death: ¹⁴ That I may show forth all your praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in your salvation. ¹⁵ The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken. ¹⁶ The LORD is known by the judgment which he executes: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah. ¹⁷ The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. ¹⁸ For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish forever. ¹⁹ Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in your sight. ²⁰ Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.

Why stand you far off, O LORD? why hide you yourself in times of trouble? ² The wicked in his pride does persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined. ³ For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire, and blesses the covetous, whom the LORD detests. ⁴ The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. ⁵ His ways are always grievous; your judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffs at them. ⁶ He has said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity. ⁷ His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. ⁸ He sits in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places does he murder the innocent: his eyes are privately set against the poor. ⁹ He lies in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lies in wait to catch the poor: he does catch the poor, when he draws him into his net. ¹⁰ He crouches, and humbles himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones. ¹¹ He has said in his heart, God has forgotten: he hides his face; he will never see it. ¹² Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand: forget not the humble. ¹³ Wherefore does the wicked contemn God? he has said in his heart, You will not require it. ¹⁴ You have seen it; for you behold mischief and spite, to requite it with your hand: the poor commits himself unto you; you are the helper of the fatherless. ¹⁵ Break you the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till you find none. ¹⁶ The LORD is King forever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land. ¹⁷ LORD, you have heard the desire of the humble: you will prepare their heart, you will cause your ear to hear: ¹⁸ To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

In the LORD put I my trust: how say all of you to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? ² For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privately shoot at the upright in heart. ³ If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? ⁴ The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. ⁵ The LORD tries the righteous: but the wicked and him that loves violence his soul hates. ⁶ Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. ⁷ For the righteous LORD loves righteousness; his countenance does behold the upright.

To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.

Help, LORD; for the godly man ceases; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. ² They speak vanity everyone with his neighbor: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. ³ The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things: ⁴ Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? ⁵ For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, says the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffs at him. ⁶ The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. ⁷ You shall keep them, O LORD, you shall preserve them from this generation forever. ⁸ The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

How long will you forget me, O LORD? forever? how long will you hide your face from me? ² How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? ³ Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; ⁴ Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved. ⁵ But I have trusted in your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. ⁶ I will sing unto the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that does good. ² The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. ³ They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that does good, no, not one. ⁴ Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD. ⁵ There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous. ⁶ All of you have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his refuge. ⁷ Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD brings back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

A Psalm of David.

LORD, who shall abide in your tabernacle? who shall dwell in your holy hill? ² He that walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart. ³ He that backbites not with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor. ⁴ In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honors them that fear the LORD. He that swears to his own hurt, and changes not. ⁵ He that puts not out his money to interest, nor takes reward against the innocent. He that does these things shall never be moved.

Michtam of David.

Preserve me, O God: for in you do I put my trust. ² O my soul, you have said unto the LORD, You are my Lord: my goodness extends not to you; ³ But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight. ⁴ Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips. ⁵ The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: you maintain my lot. ⁶ The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yes, I have a goodly heritage. ⁷ I will bless the LORD, who has given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. ⁸ I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. ⁹ Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices: my flesh also shall rest in hope. ¹⁰ For you will not leave my soul in hell; neither will you suffer your Holy One to see corruption. ¹¹ You will show me the path of life: in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

A Prayer of David.

Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goes not out of feigned lips. ² Let my sentence come forth from your presence; let your eyes behold the things that are equal. ³ You have proved mine heart; you have visited me in the night; you have tried me, and shall find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. ⁴ Concerning the works of men, by the word of your lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. ⁵ Hold up my activities in your paths, that my footsteps slip not. ⁶ I have called upon you, for you will hear me, O God: incline your ear unto me, and hear my speech. ⁷ Show your marvelous loving kindness, O you that save by your right hand them which put their trust in you from those that rise up against them. ⁸ Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of your wings, ⁹ From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about. ¹⁰ They are enclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly. ¹¹ They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth; ¹² Like a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places. ¹³ Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is your sword: ¹⁴ From men which are your hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly you fill with your hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes. ¹⁵ As for me, I will behold your face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with your likeness.

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the Lord, who spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: and he said,

I will love you, O LORD, my strength. ² The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. ³ I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. ⁴ The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. ⁵ The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. ⁶ In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. ⁷ Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was angry. ⁸ There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. ⁹ He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet. ¹⁰ And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yes, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. ¹¹ He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. ¹² At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire. ¹³ The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire. ¹⁴ Yes, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and humiliated them. ¹⁵ Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils. ¹⁶ He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. ¹⁷ He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. ¹⁸ They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay. ¹⁹ He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. ²⁰ The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands has he recompensed me. ²¹ For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. ²² For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me. ²³ I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity. ²⁴ Therefore has the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight. ²⁵ With the merciful you will show yourself merciful; with an upright man you will show yourself upright; ²⁶ With the pure you will show yourself pure; and with the perverse you will show yourself perverse. ²⁷ For you will save the afflicted people; but will bring down high looks. ²⁸ For you will light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. ²⁹ For by you I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall. ³⁰ As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. ³¹ For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? ³² It is God that girds me with strength, and makes my way perfect. ³³ He makes my feet like hinds' feet, and sets me upon my high places. ³⁴ He teaches my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. ³⁵ You have also given me the shield of your salvation: and your right hand has held me up, and your gentleness has made me great. ³⁶ You have enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip. ³⁷ I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I return till they were consumed. ³⁸ I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet. ³⁹ For you have girded me with strength unto the battle: you have subdued under me those that rose up against me. ⁴⁰ You have also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me. ⁴¹ They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he answered them not. ⁴² Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets. ⁴³ You have delivered me from the strivings of the people; and you have made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me. ⁴⁴ As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me. ⁴⁵ The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places. ⁴⁶ The LORD lives; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. ⁴⁷ It is God that avenges me, and subdues the people under me. ⁴⁸ He delivers me from mine enemies: yes, you lift me up above those that rise up against me: you have delivered me from the violent man. ⁴⁹ Therefore will I give thanks unto you, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto your name. ⁵⁰ Great deliverance gives he to his king; and shows mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork. ² Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night shows knowledge. ³ There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. ⁴ Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them has he set a tabernacle for the sun, ⁵ Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoices as a strong man to run a race. ⁶ His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. ⁷ The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. ⁸ The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. ⁹ The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. ¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. ¹¹ Moreover by them is your servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. ¹² Who can understand his errors? cleanse you me from secret faults. ¹³ Keep back your servant also from arrogant sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. ¹⁴ Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

The LORD hear you in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend you; ² Send you help from the sanctuary, and strengthen you out of Zion; ³ Remember all your offerings, and accept your burnt sacrifice; Selah. ⁴ Grant you according to your own heart, and fulfill all your counsel. ⁵ We will rejoice in your salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfill all your petitions. ⁶ Now know I that the LORD saves his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. ⁷ Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. ⁸ They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. ⁹ Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.

The Redemption and Salvation work (through the cross and resurrection) of the Messiah

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

The king shall joy in your strength, O LORD; and in your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! ² You have given him his heart's desire, and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah. ³ For you prevent him with the blessings of goodness: you set a crown of pure gold on his head. ⁴ He asked life of you, and you gave it him, even length of days forever and ever. ⁵ His glory is great in your salvation: honor and majesty have you laid upon him. ⁶ For you have made him most blessed forever: you have made him exceeding glad with your countenance. ⁷ For the king trusts in the LORD, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved. ⁸ your hand shall find out all of your enemies: your right hand shall find out those that hate you. ⁹ You shall make them as a fiery oven in the time of your anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them. ¹⁰ Their fruit shall you destroy from the earth, and their seed from among the children of men. ¹¹ For they intended evil against you: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform. ¹² Therefore shall you make them turn their back, when you shall make ready your arrows upon your strings against the face of them. ¹³ Be you exalted, LORD, in your own strength: so will we sing and praise your power.

King David's eyewitness description of the Messiah [Jesus Christ] upon the Cross

To the chief Musician upon Aijaleth Shahar, A Psalm of David.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? ² O my God, I cry in the day time, but you hear not; and in the night season, and am not silent. ³ But you are holy, O you that inhabit the praises of Israel. ⁴ Our fathers trusted in you: they trusted, and you did deliver them. ⁵ They cried unto you, and were delivered: they trusted in you, and were not confounded. ⁶ But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. ⁷ All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, ⁸ He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. ⁹ But you are he that took me out of the womb: you did make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts. ¹⁰ I was cast upon you from the womb: you are my God from my mother's belly. ¹¹ Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help. ¹² Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. ¹³ They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. ¹⁴ I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. ¹⁵ My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaves to my jaws; and you have brought me into the dust of death. ¹⁶ For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. ¹⁷ I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. ¹⁸ They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. ¹⁹ But be not you far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste you to help me. ²⁰ Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog. ²¹ Save me from the lion's mouth: for you have heard me from the horns of the unicorns. ²² I will declare your name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise you. ²³ All of you that fear the LORD, praise him; all you the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all you the seed of Israel. ²⁴ For he has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither has he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard. ²⁵ My praise shall be of you in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him. ²⁶ The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live forever. ²⁷ All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. ²⁸ For the kingdom is the LORD's: and he is the governor among the nations. ²⁹ All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul. ³⁰ A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. ³¹ They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he has done this.

The Resurrection and Shepherding of the Messiah [Shepherd] after the Cross

A Psalm of David.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not lack. ² He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters. ³ He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. ⁴ Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me. ⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. ⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

“The King of Glory”

A Psalm of David.

The earth is the LORD's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. ² For he has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. ³ Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? ⁴ He that has clean hands, and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. ⁵ He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. ⁶ This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek your face, O Jacob. Selah. ⁷ Lift up your heads, O all of you gates; and be all of you lift up, all of you everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. ⁸ Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. ⁹ Lift up your heads, O all of you gates; even lift them up, all of you everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. ¹⁰ Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.

A Psalm of David.

Unto you, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. ² O my God, I trust in you: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. ³ Yes, let none that wait on you be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. ⁴ Show me your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. ⁵ Lead me in your truth, and teach me: for you are the God of my salvation; on you do I wait all the day. ⁶ Remember, O LORD, your tender mercies and your loving kindnesses; for they have been ever of old. ⁷ Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to your mercy remember you me for your goodness' sake, O LORD. ⁸ Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. ⁹ The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. ¹⁰ All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. ¹¹ For your name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great. ¹² What man is he that fears the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. ¹³ His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. ¹⁴ The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant. ¹⁵ Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. ¹⁶ Turn you unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted. ¹⁷ The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring you me out of my distresses. ¹⁸ Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins. ¹⁹ Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred. ²⁰ O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in you. ²¹ Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on you. ²² Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.

A Psalm of David.

Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide. ² Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. ³ For your loving kindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in your truth. ⁴ I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. ⁵ I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked. ⁶ I will wash mine hands in innocence: so will I compass your altar, O LORD: ⁷ That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all your wondrous works. ⁸ LORD, I have loved the habitation of your house, and the place where your honor dwells. ⁹ Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: ¹⁰ In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. ¹¹ But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me. ¹² My foot stands in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.

A Psalm of David.

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? ² When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. ³ Though an host should camp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. ⁴ One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. ⁵ For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. ⁶ And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises unto the LORD. ⁷ Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. ⁸ When you said, Seek all of you my face; my heart said unto you, Your face, LORD, will I seek. ⁹ Hide not your face far from me; put not your servant away in anger: you have been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. ¹⁰ When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. ¹¹ Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. ¹² Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. ¹³ I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. ¹⁴ Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

A Psalm of David.

Unto you will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if you be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit. ² Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto you, when I lift up my hands toward your holy oracle. ³ Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbors, but mischief is in their hearts. ⁴ Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavors: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert. ⁵ Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up. ⁶ Blessed be the LORD, because he has heard the voice of my supplications. ⁷ The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoices; and with my song will I praise him. ⁸ The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed. ⁹ Save your people, and bless your inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up forever.

A Psalm of David.

Give unto the LORD, O all of you mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. ² Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. ³ The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thunders: the LORD is upon many waters. ⁴ The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. ⁵ The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; yes, the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon. ⁶ He makes them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn p. ox. ⁷ The voice of the LORD divides the flames of fire. ⁸ The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. ⁹ The voice of the LORD makes the hinds to calve, and discovers the forests: and in his temple does everyone speak of his glory. ¹⁰ The LORD sits upon the flood; yes, the LORD sits King forever. ¹¹ The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.

A Psalm and Song at the dedication of the House of David.

I will extol you, O LORD; for you have lifted me up, and have not made my foes to rejoice over me. ² O LORD my God, I cried unto you, and you have healed me. ³ O LORD, you have brought up my soul from the grave: you have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. ⁴ Sing unto the LORD, O all of you saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. ⁵ For his anger endures but a moment; in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. ⁶ And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved. ⁷ LORD, by your favor you have made my mountain to stand strong: you did hide your face, and I was troubled. ⁸ I cried to you, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication. ⁹ What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise you? shall it declare your truth? ¹⁰ Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be you my helper. ¹¹ You have turned for me my mourning into dancing: you have put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; ¹² To the end that my glory may sing praise to you, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto you forever.

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

In you, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in your righteousness. ² Bow down your ear to me; deliver me speedily: be you my strong rock, for an house of defense to save me. ³ For you are my rock and my fortress; therefore for your name's sake lead me, and guide me. ⁴ Pull me out of the net that they have laid privately for me: for you are my strength. ⁵ Into your hand I commit my spirit: you have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. ⁶ I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD. ⁷ I will be glad and rejoice in your mercy: for you have considered my trouble; you have known my soul in adversities; ⁸ And have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: you have set my feet in a large room. ⁹ Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yes, my soul and my belly. ¹⁰ For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength fails because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed. ¹¹ I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbors, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me outside fled from me. ¹² I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel. ¹³ For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life. ¹⁴ But I trusted in you, O LORD: I said, You are my God. ¹⁵ My times are in your hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. ¹⁶ Make your face to shine upon your servant: save me for your mercies' sake. ¹⁷ Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon you: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave. ¹⁸ Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous. ¹⁹ Oh how great is your goodness, which you have laid up for them that fear you; which you have wrought for them that trust in you before the sons of men! ²⁰ You shall hide them in the secret of your presence from the pride of man: you shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. ²¹ Blessed be the LORD: for he has showed me his marvelous kindness in a strong city. ²² For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before your eyes: nevertheless you heard the voice of my supplications when I cried unto you. ²³ O love the LORD, all you his saints: for the LORD perserves the faithful, and plentifully rewards the proud doer. ²⁴ Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all you that hope in the LORD.

A Psalm of David, Maschil.

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. ² Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputes not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. ³ When I kept silence, my bones grew old through my roaring all the day long. ⁴ For day and night your hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. ⁵ I acknowledge my sin unto you, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah. ⁶ For this shall everyone that is godly pray unto you in a time when you may be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. ⁷ You are my hiding place; you shall preserve me from trouble; you shall compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. ⁸ I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go: I will guide you with mine eye. ⁹ Be all of you not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto you. ¹⁰ Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusts in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about. ¹¹ Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, all of you righteous: and shout for joy, all you that are upright in heart.

Rejoice in the LORD, O all of you righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. ² Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. ³ Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise. ⁴ For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. ⁵ He loves righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. ⁶ By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. ⁷ He gathers the waters of the sea together as an heap: he lays up the depth in storehouses. ⁸ Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. ⁹ For he spoke, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. ¹⁰ The LORD brings the counsel of the heathen to nothing: he makes the devices of the people of no effect. ¹¹ The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. ¹² Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he has chosen for his own inheritance. ¹³ The LORD looks from heaven; he beholds all the sons of men. ¹⁴ From the place of his habitation he looks upon all the inhabitants of the earth. ¹⁵ He fashions their hearts alike; he considers all their works. ¹⁶ There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. ¹⁷ An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. ¹⁸ Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; ¹⁹ To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. ²⁰ Our soul waits for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. ²¹ For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. ²² Let your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in you.

A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.

I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. ² My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. ³ O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. ⁴ I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. ⁵ They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. ⁶ This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. ⁷ The angel of the LORD camps round about them that fear him, and delivers them. ⁸ O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusts in him. ⁹ O fear the LORD, all of you his saints: for there is no lack to them that fear him. ¹⁰ The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. ¹¹ Come, all of you children, listen unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. ¹² What man is he that desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good? ¹³ Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking guile. ¹⁴ Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. ¹⁵ The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. ¹⁶ The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. ¹⁷ The righteous cry, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. ¹⁸ The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit. ¹⁹ Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivers him out of them all. ²⁰ He keeps all his bones: not one of them is broken. ²¹ Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. ²² The LORD redeems the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

A Psalm of David.

Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me. ² Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help. ³ Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am your salvation. ⁴ Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt. ⁵ Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them. ⁶ Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them. ⁷ For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have dug for my soul. ⁸ Let destruction come upon him at unexpectedly; and let his net that he has hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall. ⁹ And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation. ¹⁰ All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto you, which deliver the poor from him that is too strong for him, yes, the poor and the needy from him that spoils him? ¹¹ False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not. ¹² They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul. ¹³ But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom. ¹⁴ I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourns for his mother. ¹⁵ But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yes, the outcasts gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not: ¹⁶ With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth. ¹⁷ Lord, how long will you look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions. ¹⁸ I will give you thanks in the great congregation: I will praise you among much people. ¹⁹ Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause. ²⁰ For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land. ²¹ Yes, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye has seen it. ²² This you have seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me. ²³ Stir up yourself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord. ²⁴ Judge me, O LORD my God, according to your righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me. ²⁵ Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up. ²⁶ Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonor that magnify themselves against me. ²⁷ Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favor my righteous cause: yes, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which has pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. ²⁸ And my tongue shall speak of your righteousness and of your praise all the day long.

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord.

The transgression of the wicked says within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes. ² For he flatters himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful. ³ The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he has left off to be wise, and to do good. ⁴ He devises mischief upon his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he detests not evil. ⁵ Your mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and your faithfulness reachs unto the clouds. ⁶ Your righteousness is like the great mountains; your judgments are a great deep: O LORD, you preserve man and beast. ⁷ How excellent is your loving kindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of your wings. ⁸ They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of your house; and you shall make them drink of the river of your pleasures. ⁹ For with you is the fountain of life: in your light shall we see light. ¹⁰ O continue your loving kindness unto them that know you; and your righteousness to the upright in heart. ¹¹ Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me. ¹² There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.

A Psalm of David.

Fret not yourself because of evildoers, neither be you envious against the workers of iniquity. ² For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. ³ Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shall you dwell in the land, and assuredly you shall be fed. ⁴ Delight yourself also in the LORD: and he shall give you the desires of your heart. ⁵ Commit your way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. ⁶ And he shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your judgment as the noonday. ⁷ Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass. ⁸ Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not yourself in any way to do evil. ⁹ For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. ¹⁰ For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yes, you shall diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. ¹¹ But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. ¹² The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes upon him with his teeth. ¹³ The LORD shall laugh at him: for he sees that his day is coming. ¹⁴ The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. ¹⁵ Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. ¹⁶ A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked. ¹⁷ For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholds the righteous. ¹⁸ The LORD knows the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be forever. ¹⁹ They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. ²⁰ But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away. ²¹ The wicked borrows, and pays not again: but the righteous shows mercy, and gives. ²² For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off. ²³ The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delights in his way. ²⁴ Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholds him with his hand. ²⁵ I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. ²⁶ He is ever merciful, and lends; and his seed is blessed. ²⁷ Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. ²⁸ For the LORD loves judgment, and forsakes not his saints; they are preserved forever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. ²⁹ The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever. ³⁰ The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, and his tongue talks of judgment. ³¹ The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. ³² The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to slay him. ³³ The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged. ³⁴ Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt you to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it. ³⁵ I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. ³⁶ Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yes, I sought him, but he could not be found. ³⁷ Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. ³⁸ But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. ³⁹ But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. ⁴⁰ And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance.

O lord, rebuke me not in your wrath: neither chasten me in your hot displeasure. ² For your arrows stick fast in me, and your hand presses me sore. ³ There is no soundness in my flesh because of your anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. ⁴ For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. ⁵ My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness. ⁶ I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. ⁷ For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh. ⁸ I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the chaos of my heart. ⁹ Lord, all my desire is before you; and my groaning is not hid from you. ¹⁰ My heart pants, my strength fails me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me. ¹¹ My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand far off. ¹² They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long. ¹³ But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that opens not his mouth. ¹⁴ Thus I was as a man that hears not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs. ¹⁵ For in you, O LORD, do I hope: you will hear, O Lord my God. ¹⁶ For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slips, they magnify themselves against me. ¹⁷ For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me. ¹⁸ For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin. ¹⁹ But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied. ²⁰ They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is. ²¹ Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me. ²² Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.

To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.

I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. ² I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. ³ My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spoke I with my tongue, ⁴ LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am. ⁵ Behold, you have made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before you: assuredly every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. ⁶ Surely every man walks in a vain show: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heaps up riches, and knows not who shall gather them. ⁷ And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in you. ⁸ Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish. ⁹ I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because you did it. ¹⁰ Remove your stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of your hand. ¹¹ When you with rebukes do correct man for iniquity, you make his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah. ¹² Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not your peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with you, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. ¹³ O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go behind, and be no more.

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. ² He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my activities. ³ And he has put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. ⁴ Blessed is that man that makes the LORD his trust, and respects not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. ⁵ Many, O LORD my God, are your wonderful works which you have done, and your thoughts which are toward us: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto you: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. ⁶ Sacrifice and offering you did not desire; mine ears have you opened: burnt offering and sin offering have you not required. ⁷ Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, ⁸ I delight to do your will, O my God: yes, your law is within my heart. ⁹ I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, you know. ¹⁰ I have not hid your righteousness within my heart; I have declared your faithfulness and your salvation: I have not concealed your loving kindness and your truth from the great congregation. ¹¹ Withhold not you your tender mercies from me, O LORD: let your loving kindness and your truth continually preserve me. ¹² For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart fails me. ¹³ Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me. ¹⁴ Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil. ¹⁵ Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha. ¹⁶ Let all those that seek you rejoice and be glad in you: let such as love your salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified. ¹⁷ But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinks upon me: you are my help and my deliverer; make no waiting, O my God.

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

Blessed is he that considers the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. ² The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and you will not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. ³ The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: you will make all his bed in his sickness. ⁴ I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against you. ⁵ Mine enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish? ⁶ And if he comes to see me, he speaks vanity: his heart gathers iniquity to itself; when he goes abroad, he tells it. ⁷ All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt. ⁸ An evil disease, say they, cleaves fast unto him: and now that he lies he shall rise up no more. ⁹ Yes, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. ¹⁰ But you, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them. ¹¹ By this I know that you favor me, because mine enemy does not triumph over me. ¹² And as for me, you uphold me in mine integrity, and set me before your face forever. ¹³ Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.

Book 2: Psalms 42-72

To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.

As the hart pants after the water brooks, so pants my soul after you, O God. ² My soul thirsts for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? ³ My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is your God? ⁴ When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. ⁵ Why are you cast down, O my soul? and why are you disquieted in me? hope you in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. ⁶ O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember you from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar. ⁷ Deep calls unto deep at the noise of your waterspouts: all your waves and your billows are gone over me. ⁸ Yet the LORD will command his loving kindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life. ⁹ I will say unto God my rock, Why have you forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? ¹⁰ As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is your God? ¹¹ Why are you cast down, O my soul? and why are you disquieted within me? hope you in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. ² For you are the God of my strength: why do you cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? ³ O send out your light and your truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto your holy hill, and to your tabernacles. ⁴ Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yes, upon the harp will I praise you, O God my God. ⁵ Why are you cast down, O my soul? and why are you disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil.

We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work you did in their days, in the times of old. ² How you did drive out the heathen with your hand, and planted them; how you did afflict the people, and cast them out. ³ For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but your right hand, and your arm, and the light of your countenance, because you had a favor unto them. ⁴ You are my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob. ⁵ Through you will we push down our enemies: through your name will we tread them under that rise up against us. ⁶ For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. ⁷ But you have saved us from our enemies, and have put them to shame that hated us. ⁸ In God we boast all the day long, and praise your name forever. Selah. ⁹ But you have cast off, and put us to shame; and go not forth with our armies. ¹⁰ You make us to turn back from the enemy: and they which hate us spoil for themselves. ¹¹ You have given us like sheep appointed for food; and have scattered us among the heathen. ¹² You sell your people for nothing, and do not increase your wealth by their price. ¹³ You make us a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us. ¹⁴ You make us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people. ¹⁵ My confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face has covered me, ¹⁶ For the voice of him that reproaches and blasphemes; by reason of the enemy and avenger. ¹⁷ All this has come upon us; yet have we not forgotten you, neither have we dealt falsely in your covenant. ¹⁸ Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from your way; ¹⁹ Though you have sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death. ²⁰ If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god; ²¹ Shall not God search this out? for he knows the secrets of the heart. ²² Yes, for your sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter. ²³ Awake, why sleep you, O Lord? arise, cast us not off forever. ²⁴ Wherefore hide you your face, and forget our affliction and our oppression? ²⁵ For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaves unto the earth. ²⁶ Arise for our help, and redeem us for your mercies' sake.

To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves.

My heart is composing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made concerning the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. ² You are fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into your lips: therefore God has blessed you forever. ³ Gird your sword upon your thigh, O most mighty, with your glory and your majesty. ⁴ And in your majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and your right hand shall teach you terrible things. ⁵ your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under you. ⁶ Your throne, O God, is forever and ever: the sceptre of your kingdom is a right sceptre. ⁷ You love righteousness, and hate wickedness: therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows. ⁸ All your garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made you glad. ⁹ Kings' daughters were among your honorable women: upon your right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir. ¹⁰ Listen, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear; forget also your own people, and your father's house; ¹¹ So shall the king greatly desire your beauty: for he is your Lord; and worship you him. ¹² And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall implore your favor. ¹³ The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold. ¹⁴ She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto you. ¹⁵ With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace. ¹⁶ Instead of your fathers shall be your children, whom you may make princes in all the earth. ¹⁷ I will make your name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise you forever and ever.

To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. ² Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; ³ Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. ⁴ There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. ⁵ God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. ⁶ The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. ⁷ The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. ⁸ Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he has made in the earth. ⁹ He makes wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and cuts the spear in two; he burns the chariot in the fire. ¹⁰ Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. ¹¹ The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.

O clap your hands, all you people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. ² For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth. ³ He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet. ⁴ He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah. ⁵ God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet. ⁶ Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. ⁷ For God is the King of all the earth: sing all of you praises with understanding. ⁸ God reigns over the heathen: God sits upon the throne of his holiness. ⁹ The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.

A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah.

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. ² Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. ³ God is known in her palaces for a refuge. ⁴ For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together. ⁵ They saw it, and so they marveled; they were troubled, and hasted away. ⁶ Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail. ⁷ You break the ships of Tarshish with an east wind. ⁸ As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it forever. Selah. ⁹ We have thought of your loving kindness, O God, in the midst of your temple. ¹⁰ According to your name, O God, so is your praise unto the ends of the earth: your right hand is full of righteousness. ¹¹ Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of your judgments. ¹² Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof. ¹³ Mark all of you well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that all of you may tell it to the generation following. ¹⁴ For this God is our God forever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.

Hear this, all you people; give ear, all you inhabitants of the world: ² Both low and high, rich and poor, together. ³ My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding. ⁴ I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp. ⁵ Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about? ⁶ They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; ⁷ None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: ⁸ For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceases for ever: ⁹ That he should still live forever, and not see corruption. ¹⁰ For he sees that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others. ¹¹ Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. ¹² Nevertheless man being in honor abides not: he is like the beasts that perish. ¹³ This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah. ¹⁴ Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling. ¹⁵ But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah. ¹⁶ Be not you afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; ¹⁷ For when he dies he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him. ¹⁸ Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise you, when you do well to yourself. ¹⁹ He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light. ²⁰ Man that is in honor, and understands not, is like the beasts that perish.

A Psalm of Asaph.

The mighty God, even the LORD, has spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. ² Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God has shined. ³ Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. ⁴ He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. ⁵ Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. ⁶ And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah. ⁷ Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against you: I am God, even your God. ⁸ I will not reprove you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, to have been continually before me. ⁹ I will take no bullock out of your house, nor he goats out of your folds. ¹⁰ For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. ¹¹ I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. ¹² If I were hungry, I would not tell you: for the world is mine, and the fullness thereof. ¹³ Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? ¹⁴ Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay your vows unto the most High: ¹⁵ And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me. ¹⁶ But unto the wicked God says, What have you to do to declare my statutes, or that you should take my covenant in your mouth? ¹⁷ Seeing you hate instruction, and casts my words behind you. ¹⁸ When you saw a thief, then you consented with him, and have been partaker with adulterers. ¹⁹ You give your mouth to evil, and your tongue frames deceit. ²⁰ You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son. ²¹ These things have you done, and I kept silence; you thought that I was altogether such an one as yourself: but I will reprove you, and set them in order before your eyes. ²² Now consider this, all of you that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. ²³ Whoso offers praise glorifies me: and to him that orders his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God.

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba .

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your loving kindness: according unto the multitude of your tender mercies blot out my transgressions. ² Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. ³ For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. ⁴ Against you, you only, have I sinned, and done this evil in your sight: that you might be justified when you speak, and be clear when you judge. ⁵ Behold, I was formed in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. ⁶ Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part you shall make me to know wisdom. ⁷ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. ⁸ Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which you have broken may rejoice. ⁹ Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. ¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. ¹¹ Cast me not away from your presence; and take not your holy spirit from me. ¹² Restore unto me the joy of your salvation; and uphold me with your free spirit. ¹³ Then will I teach transgressors your ways; and sinners shall be converted unto you. ¹⁴ Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, you God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of your righteousness. ¹⁵ O Lord, open you my lips; and my mouth shall show forth your praise. ¹⁶ For you desire not sacrifice; else would I give it: you delight not in burnt offering. ¹⁷ The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. ¹⁸ Do good in your good pleasure unto Zion: build you the walls of Jerusalem. ¹⁹ Then shall you be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon your altar.

To the chief Musician, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech.

Why boast you yourself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endures continually. ² The tongue devises evil; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. ³ You love evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah. ⁴ You love all devouring words, O you deceitful tongue. ⁵ God shall likewise destroy you forever, he shall take you away, and pluck you out of your dwelling place, and root you out of the land of the living. Selah. ⁶ The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him: ⁷ Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness. ⁸ But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. ⁹ I will praise you forever, because you have done it: and I will wait on your name; for it is good before your saints.

To the chief Musician, upon Mahalath, Maschil, A Psalm of David.

The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that does good. ² God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. ³ Everyone of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that does good, no, not one. ⁴ Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God. ⁵ There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God has scattered the bones of him that camps against you: you have put them to shame, because God has despised them. ⁶ Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God brings back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when the Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with us?

Save me, O God, by your name, and judge me by your strength. ² Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth. ³ For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah. ⁴ Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul. ⁵ He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in your truth. ⁶ I will freely sacrifice unto you: I will praise your name, O LORD; for it is good. ⁷ For he has delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye has seen his desire upon mine enemies.

To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David.

Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not yourself from my supplication. ² Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise; ³ Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me. ⁴ My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. ⁵ Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror has overwhelmed me. ⁶ And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. ⁷ Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah. ⁸ I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest. ⁹ Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city. ¹⁰ Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it. ¹¹ Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets. ¹² For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: ¹³ But it was you, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. ¹⁴ We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. ¹⁵ Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them. ¹⁶ As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. ¹⁷ Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. ¹⁸ He has delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me. ¹⁹ God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abides of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God. ²⁰ He has put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he has broken his covenant. ²¹ The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. ²² Cast your burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain you: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. ²³ But you, O God, shall bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in you.

To the chief Musician, upon Jonath-elem-rechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath.

Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresses me. ² Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O you most High. ³ What time I am afraid, I will trust in you. ⁴ In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. ⁵ Every day they shift my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil. ⁶ They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul. ⁷ Shall they escape by iniquity? in your anger cast down the people, O God. ⁸ You tell my wanderings: put you my tears into your bottle: are they not in your book? ⁹ When I cry unto you, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me. ¹⁰ In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word. ¹¹ In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. ¹² Your vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto you. ¹³ For you have delivered my soul from death: will not you deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave.

Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusts in you: yes, in the shadow of your wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities pass over. ² I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performs all things for me. ³ He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth. ⁴ My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. ⁵ Be you exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be above all the earth. ⁶ They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have dug a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah. ⁷ My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. ⁸ Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. ⁹ I will praise you, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto you among the nations. ¹⁰ For your mercy is great unto the heavens, and your truth unto the clouds. ¹¹ Be you exalted, O God, above the heavens: let your glory be above all the earth.

To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David.

Do all of you indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do all of you judge uprightly, O all of you sons of men? ² Yes, in heart all of you work wickedness; all of you weigh the violence of your hands in the earth. ³ The wicked are cut off from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. ⁴ Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stops her ear; ⁵ Which will not listen to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely. ⁶ Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD. ⁷ Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bends his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces. ⁸ As a snail which melts, let everyone of them pass away: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun. ⁹ Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath. ¹⁰ The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. ¹¹ So that a man shall say, Assuredly there is a reward for the righteous: assuredly he is a God that judges in the earth.

To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him.

Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me. ² Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men. ³ For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD. ⁴ They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold. ⁵ You therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah. ⁶ They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city. ⁷ Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, does hear? ⁸ But you, O LORD, shall laugh at them; you shall have all the heathen in derision. ⁹ Because of his strength will I wait upon you: for God is my defense. ¹⁰ The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies. ¹¹ Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by your power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield. ¹² For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak. ¹³ Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God rules in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah. ¹⁴ And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city. ¹⁵ Let them wander up and down for food, and grudge if they be not satisfied. ¹⁶ But I will sing of your power; yes, I will sing aloud of your mercy in the morning: for you have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble. ¹⁷ Unto you, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defense, and the God of my mercy.

To the chief Musician upon Shushan-eduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand.

O God, you have cast us off, you have scattered us, you have been displeased; O turn yourself to us again. ² You have made the earth to tremble; you have broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shakes. ³ You have showed your people hard things: you have made us to drink the wine of astonishment. ⁴ You have given a banner to them that fear you, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah. ⁵ That your beloved may be delivered; save with your right hand, and hear me. ⁶ God has spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth. ⁷ Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver; ⁸ Moab is my pot for washing; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph you because of me. ⁹ Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom? ¹⁰ Will not you, O God, which had cast us off? and you, O God, which did not go out with our armies? ¹¹ Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. ¹² Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

To the chief Musician upon Neginah, A Psalm of David.

Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. ² From the end of the earth will I cry unto you, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. ³ For you have been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. ⁴ I will abide in your tabernacle forever: I will trust in the covert of your wings. Selah. ⁵ For you, O God, have heard my vows: you have given me the heritage of those that fear your name. ⁶ You will prolong the king's life: and his years as many generations. ⁷ He shall abide before God forever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him. ⁸ So will I sing praise unto your name forever, that I may daily perform my vows.

To the chief Musician, to Jeduthan, A Psalm of David.

Truly my soul waits upon God: from him comes my salvation. ² He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved. ³ How long will all of you imagine mischief against a man? all of you shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall all of you be, and as a tottering fence. ⁴ They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah. ⁵ My soul, wait you only upon God; for my expectation is from him. ⁶ He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved. ⁷ In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. ⁸ Trust in him at all times; all of you people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. ⁹ Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity. ¹⁰ Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them. ¹¹ God has spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongs unto God. ¹² Also unto you, O Lord, belongs mercy: for you render to every man according to his work.

A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

O God, you are my God; early will I seek you: my soul thirsts for you, my flesh longs for you in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; ² To see your power and your glory, so as I have seen you in the sanctuary. ³ Because your loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you. ⁴ Thus will I bless you while I live: I will lift up my hands in your name. ⁵ My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise you with joyful lips: ⁶ When I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the night watches. ⁷ Because you have been my help, therefore in the shadow of your wings will I rejoice. ⁸ My soul follows hard after you: your right hand upholds me. ⁹ But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth. ¹⁰ They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes. ¹¹ But the king shall rejoice in God; everyone that swears by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy. ² Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity: ³ Who sharpen their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words: ⁴ That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not. ⁵ They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privately; they say, Who shall see them? ⁶ They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of everyone of them, and the heart, is deep. ⁷ But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded. ⁸ So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away. ⁹ And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing. ¹⁰ The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.

To the chief Musician, A Psalm and Song of David.

Praise waits for you, O God, in Sion: and unto you shall the vow be performed. ² O you that hear prayer, unto you shall all flesh come. ³ Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, you shall purge them away. ⁴ Blessed is the man whom you choose, and cause to approach unto you, that he may dwell in your courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, even of your holy temple. ⁵ By terrible things in righteousness will you answer us, O God of our salvation; who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are far off upon the sea: ⁶ Which by his strength sets fast the mountains; being girded with power: ⁷ Which stills the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people. ⁸ They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at your tokens: you make the utmost limit of the morning and evening to rejoice. ⁹ You visit the earth, and water it: you greatly enrich it with the river of God, which is full of water: you prepare them corn, when you have so provided for it. ¹⁰ You water the ridges thereof abundantly: you settle the furrows thereof: you make it soft with showers: you bless the springing thereof. ¹¹ You crown the year with your goodness; and your paths drop fatness. ¹² They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side. ¹³ The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.

To the chief Musician, A Song or Psalm.

Make a joyful noise unto God, all you lands: ² Sing forth the honor of his name: make his praise glorious. ³ Say unto God, How terrible are you in your works! through the greatness of your power shall your enemies submit themselves unto you. ⁴ All the earth shall worship you, and shall sing unto you; they shall sing to your name. Selah. ⁵ Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men. ⁶ He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him. ⁷ He rules by his power forever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah. ⁸ O bless our God, all of you people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard: ⁹ Which holds our soul in life, and suffers not our feet to be moved. ¹⁰ For you, O God, have proved us: you have tried us, as silver is tried. ¹¹ You brought us into the net; you laid affliction upon our loins. ¹² You have caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but you brought us out into a wealthy place. ¹³ I will go into your house with burnt offerings: I will pay you my vows, ¹⁴ Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth has spoken, when I was in trouble. ¹⁵ I will offer unto you burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah. ¹⁶ Come and hear, all you that fear God, and I will declare what he has done for my soul. ¹⁷ I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue. ¹⁸ If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: ¹⁹ But assuredly God has heard me; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. ²⁰ Blessed be God, which has not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song.

God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. ² That your way may be known upon earth, your saving health among all nations. ³ Let the people praise you, O God; let all the people praise you. ⁴ O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for you shall judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah. ⁵ Let the people praise you, O God; let all the people praise you. ⁶ Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. ⁷ God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

To the chief Musician, A Psalm or Song of David.

Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. ² As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. ³ But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yes, let them exceedingly rejoice. ⁴ Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rides upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him. ⁵ A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. ⁶ God sets the solitary in families: he brings out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land. ⁷ O God, when you went forth before your people, when you did march through the wilderness; Selah: ⁸ The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel. ⁹ You, O God, did send a plentiful rain, whereby you did confirm your inheritance, when it was weary. ¹⁰ Your congregation has dwelt therein: you, O God, have prepared of your goodness for the poor. ¹¹ The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it. ¹² Kings of armies did flee swiftly: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil. ¹³ Though all of you have lien among the pots, yet shall all of you be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold. ¹⁴ When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon. ¹⁵ The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan. ¹⁶ Why leap all of you, all of you high hills? this is the hill which God desires to dwell in; yes, the LORD will dwell in it forever. ¹⁷ The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. ¹⁸ You have ascended on high, you have led captivity captive: you have received gifts for men; yes, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them. ¹⁹ Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. ²⁰ He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death. ²¹ But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goes on still in his trespasses. ²² The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea: ²³ That your foot may be dipped in the blood of your enemies, and the tongue of your dogs in the same. ²⁴ They have seen your activities, O God; even the activities of my God, my King, in the sanctuary. ²⁵ The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels. ²⁶ Bless all of you God in the congregations, even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel. ²⁷ There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali. ²⁸ Your God has commanded your strength: strengthen, O God, that which you have wrought for us. ²⁹ Because of your temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto you. ³⁰ Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till everyone submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter you the people that delight in war. ³¹ Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God. ³² Sing unto God, all of you kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah: ³³ To him that rides upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he does send out his voice, and that a mighty voice. ³⁴ Ascribe all of you strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds. ³⁵ O God, you are terrible out of your holy places: the God of Israel is he that gives strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.

To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, A Psalm of David.

Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. ² I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. ³ I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. ⁴ They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away. ⁵ O God, you know my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from you. ⁶ Let not them that wait on you, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek you be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel. ⁷ Because for your sake I have borne reproach; shame has covered my face. ⁸ I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an foreigner unto my mother's children. ⁹ For the zeal of your house has eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached you are fallen upon me. ¹⁰ When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach. ¹¹ I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them. ¹² They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards. ¹³ But as for me, my prayer is unto you, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of your mercy hear me, in the truth of your salvation. ¹⁴ Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters. ¹⁵ Let not the flood of waters overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me. ¹⁶ Hear me, O LORD; for your loving kindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of your tender mercies. ¹⁷ And hide not your face from your servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily. ¹⁸ Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies. ¹⁹ You have known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonor: mine adversaries are all before you. ²⁰ Reproach has broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. ²¹ They gave me also gall for my food; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. ²² Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap. ²³ Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake. ²⁴ Pour out your indignation upon them, and let your wrathful anger take hold of them. ²⁵ Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents. ²⁶ For they persecute him whom you have smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom you have wounded. ²⁷ Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into your righteousness. ²⁸ Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous. ²⁹ But I am poor and sorrowful: let your salvation, O God, set me up on high. ³⁰ I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. ³¹ This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that has horns and hoofs. ³² The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God. ³³ For the LORD hears the poor, and despises not his prisoners. ³⁴ Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and everything that moves therein. ³⁵ For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession. ³⁶ The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein.

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance.

MAKE HASTE, O GOD, TO DELIVER ME; MAKE HASTE TO HELP ME, O LORD. ² Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt. ³ Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha. ⁴ Let all those that seek you rejoice and be glad in you: and let such as love your salvation say continually, Let God be magnified. ⁵ But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: you are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no waiting.

In you, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion. ² Deliver me in your righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline your ear unto me, and save me. ³ Be you my strong habitation, unto which I may continually resort: you have given commandment to save me; for you are my rock and my fortress. ⁴ Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. ⁵ For you are my hope, O Lord GOD: you are my trust from my youth. ⁶ By you have I been held up from the womb: you are he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of you. ⁷ I am as a wonder unto many; but you are my strong refuge. ⁸ Let my mouth be filled with your praise and with your honor all the day. ⁹ Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength fails. ¹⁰ For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together, ¹¹ Saying, God has forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him. ¹² O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help. ¹³ Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonor that seek my hurt. ¹⁴ But I will hope continually, and will yet praise you more and more. ¹⁵ My mouth shall show forth your righteousness and your salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof. ¹⁶ I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of your righteousness, even of your only. ¹⁷ O God, you have taught me from my youth: and until now have I declared your wondrous works. ¹⁸ Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have showed your strength unto this generation, and your power to everyone that is to come. ¹⁹ Your righteousness also, O God, is very high, who have done great things: O God, who is like unto you! ²⁰ You, which have showed me great and sore troubles, shall restore life in me again, and shall bring me up again from the depths of the earth. ²¹ You shall increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side. ²² I will also praise you with the psaltery, even your truth, O my God: unto you will I sing with the harp, O you Holy One of Israel. ²³ My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto you; and my soul, which you have redeemed. ²⁴ My tongue also shall talk of your righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.

A Psalm for Solomon.

Give the king your judgments, O God, and your righteousness unto the king's son. ² He shall judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with judgment. ³ The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness. ⁴ He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor. ⁵ They shall fear you as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations. ⁶ He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth. ⁷ In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endures. ⁸ He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. ⁹ They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust. ¹⁰ The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. ¹¹ Yes, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him. ¹² For he shall deliver the needy when he cries; the poor also, and him that has no helper. ¹³ He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy. ¹⁴ He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight. ¹⁵ And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised. ¹⁶ There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth. ¹⁷ His name shall endure forever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed. ¹⁸ Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only does wondrous things. ¹⁹ And blessed be his glorious name forever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen. ²⁰ The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.

Book 3: Psalms 73-89

A Psalm of Asaph.

Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. ² But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. ³ For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. ⁴ For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. ⁵ They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. ⁶ Therefore pride compasses them about as a chain; violence covers them as a garment. ⁷ Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. ⁸ They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. ⁹ They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walks through the earth. ¹⁰ Therefore his people return here: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. ¹¹ And they say, How does God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? ¹² Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. ¹³ Assuredly I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence. ¹⁴ For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. ¹⁵ If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of your children. ¹⁶ When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; ¹⁷ Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. ¹⁸ Surely you did set them in slippery places: you casted them down into destruction. ¹⁹ How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. ²⁰ As a dream when one awakes; so, O Lord, when you awake, you shall despise their image. ²¹ Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. ²² So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before you. ²³ Nevertheless I am continually with you: you have held me by my right hand. ²⁴ You shall guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. ²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but you? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside you. ²⁶ My flesh and my heart fails: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever. ²⁷ For, lo, they that are far from you shall perish: you have destroyed all them that go a whoring from you. ²⁸ But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all your works.

Maschil of Asaph.

O God, why have you cast us off forever? why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture? ² Remember your congregation, which you have purchased of old; the rod of your inheritance, which you have redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein you have dwelt. ³ Lift up your feet unto the perpetual desolations; even all that the enemy has done wickedly in the sanctuary. ⁴ your enemies roar in the midst of your congregations; they set up their ensigns for signs. ⁵ A man was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees. ⁶ But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers. ⁷ They have cast fire into your sanctuary, they have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of your name to the ground. ⁸ They said in their hearts, Let us destroy them together: they have burned up all the synagogues of God in the land. ⁹ We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knows how long. ¹⁰ O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme your name forever? ¹¹ Why withdraw you your hand, even your right hand? pluck it out of your bosom. ¹² For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth. ¹³ You did divide the sea by your strength: you brake the heads of the dragons in the waters. ¹⁴ You brake the heads of leviathan p. sea serpent in pieces, and gave him to be food to the people inhabiting the wilderness. ¹⁵ You did cleave the fountain and the flood: you dried up mighty rivers. ¹⁶ The day is yours, the night also is yours: you have prepared the light and the sun. ¹⁷ You have set all the borders of the earth: you have made summer and winter. ¹⁸ Remember this, that the enemy has reproached, O LORD, and that the foolish people have blasphemed your name. ¹⁹ O deliver not the soul of your turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of your poor forever. ²⁰ Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty. ²¹ O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise your name. ²² Arise, O God, plead your own cause: remember how the foolish man reproaches you daily. ²³ Forget not the voice of your enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against you increases continually.

To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, A Psalm or Song of Asaph.

Unto you, O God, do we give thanks, unto you do we give thanks: for that your name is near your wondrous works declare. ² When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly. ³ The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the pillars of it. Selah. ⁴ I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn: ⁵ Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck. ⁶ For promotion comes neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. ⁷ But God is the judge: he puts down one, and sets up another. ⁸ For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he pours out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them. ⁹ But I will declare forever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. ¹⁰ All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.

To the chief Musician on Neg inoth, A Psalm or Song of Asaph.

In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel. ² In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion. ³ There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah. ⁴ You are more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey. ⁵ The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands. ⁶ At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep. ⁷ You, even you, are to be feared: and who may stand in your sight when once you are angry? ⁸ You did cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still, ⁹ When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah. ¹⁰ Surely the wrath of man shall praise you: the remainder of wrath shall you restrain. ¹¹ Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that should be feared. ¹² He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.

To the chief Musician, to Jeduthan, A Psalm of Asaph.

I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. ² In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. ³ I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. ⁴ You hold mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak. ⁵ I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. ⁶ I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. ⁷ Will the Lord cast off forever? and will he be favorable no more? ⁸ Is his mercy clean gone forever? does his promise fail for evermore? ⁹ Has God forgotten to be gracious? has he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. ¹⁰ And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. ¹¹ I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember your wonders of old. ¹² I will meditate also of all your work, and talk of your doings. ¹³ Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? ¹⁴ You are the God that do wonders: you have declared your strength among the people. ¹⁵ You have with your arm redeemed your people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. ¹⁶ The waters saw you, O God, the waters saw you; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled. ¹⁷ The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: your arrows also went abroad. ¹⁸ The voice of your thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook. ¹⁹ Your way is in the sea, and your path in the great waters, and your footsteps are not known. ²⁰ You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Maschil of Asaph.

Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. ² I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: ³ Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. ⁴ We will not hide them from their children, showing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he has done. ⁵ For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: ⁶ That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: ⁷ That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: ⁸ And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God. ⁹ The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle. ¹⁰ They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law; ¹¹ And forgotten about his works, and his wonders that he had showed them. ¹² marvelous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan. ¹³ He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap. ¹⁴ In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire. ¹⁵ He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths. ¹⁶ He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers. ¹⁷ And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness. ¹⁸ And they tempted God in their heart by asking food for their lust. ¹⁹ Yes, they spoke against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? ²⁰ Behold, he stroke the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people? ²¹ Therefore the LORD heard this, and was angry: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel; ²² Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation: ²³ Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven, ²⁴ And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven. ²⁵ Man did eat angels' food: he sent them food to the full. ²⁶ He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind. ²⁷ He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like the sand of the sea: ²⁸ And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations. ²⁹ So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire; ³⁰ They were not cut off from their lust. But while their food was yet in their mouths, ³¹ The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and stroke down the chosen men of Israel. ³² For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works. ³³ Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble. ³⁴ When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God. ³⁵ And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer. ³⁶ Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. ³⁷ For their heart was not right with him, neither were they steadfast in his covenant. ³⁸ But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yes, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath. ³⁹ For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passes away, and comes not again. ⁴⁰ How often did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert! ⁴¹ Yes, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. ⁴² They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy. ⁴³ How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan. ⁴⁴ And had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they could not drink. ⁴⁵ He sent various sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them. ⁴⁶ He gave also their increase unto the caterpillar, and their labor unto the locust. ⁴⁷ He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycamore trees with frost. ⁴⁸ He gave up their cattle also to the hail, and their flocks to hot thunderbolts. ⁴⁹ He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them. ⁵⁰ He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence; ⁵¹ And stroke all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham: ⁵² But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. ⁵³ And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies. ⁵⁴ And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, even to this mountain, which his right hand had purchased. ⁵⁵ He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents. ⁵⁶ Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies: ⁵⁷ But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow. ⁵⁸ For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images. ⁵⁹ When God heard this, he was angry, and greatly abhorred Israel: ⁶⁰ So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men; ⁶¹ And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy's hand. ⁶² He gave his people over also unto the sword; and was angry with his inheritance. ⁶³ The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage. ⁶⁴ Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation. ⁶⁵ Then the LORD awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouts by reason of wine. ⁶⁶ And he stroke his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach. ⁶⁷ Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim: ⁶⁸ But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved. ⁶⁹ And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he has established forever. ⁷⁰ He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: ⁷¹ From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. ⁷² So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.

A Psalm of Asaph.

O God, the heathen are come into your inheritance; your holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps. ² The dead bodies of your servants have they given to be food unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of your saints unto the beasts of the earth. ³ Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them. ⁴ We are become a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us. ⁵ How long, LORD? will you be angry forever? shall your jealousy burn like fire? ⁶ Pour out your wrath upon the heathen that have not known you, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon your name. ⁷ For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place. ⁸ O remember not against us former iniquities: let your tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low. ⁹ Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for your name's sake. ¹⁰ Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of your servants which is shed. ¹¹ Let the sighing of the prisoner come before you; according to the greatness of your power preserve you those that are appointed to die; ¹² And render unto our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached you, O Lord. ¹³ So we your people and sheep of your pasture will give you thanks forever: we will show forth your praise to all generations.

To the chief Musician upon Shoshanim-eduth, A Psalm of Asaph.

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you that lead Joseph like a flock; you that dwell between the cherubims, shine forth. ² Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up your strength, and come and save us. ³ Turn us again, O God, and cause your face to shine; and we shall be saved. ⁴ O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angry against the prayer of your people? ⁵ You feed them with the bread of tears; and give them tears to drink in great measure. ⁶ You make us a strife unto our neighbors: and our enemies laugh among themselves. ⁷ Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause your face to shine; and we shall be saved. ⁸ You have brought a vine out of Egypt: you have cast out the heathen, and planted it. ⁹ You prepared room before it, and did cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land. ¹⁰ The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars. ¹¹ She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river. ¹² Why have you then broken down her hedges, so that all they which pass by the way do pluck her? ¹³ The boar out of the wood does waste it, and the wild beast of the field does devour it. ¹⁴ Return, we plead to you, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine; ¹⁵ And the vineyard which your right hand has planted, and the branch that you made strong for yourself. ¹⁶ It is burned with fire, it is cut down: they perish at the rebuke of your countenance. ¹⁷ Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand, upon the son of man whom you made strong for yourself. ¹⁸ So will not we go back from you: quicken us, and we will call upon your name. ¹⁹ Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, cause your face to shine; and we shall be saved.

To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of Asaph.

Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob. ² Take a psalm, and bring here the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery. ³ Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day. ⁴ For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob. ⁵ This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not. ⁶ I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots. ⁷ You called in trouble, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder: I proved you at the waters of Meribah. Selah. ⁸ Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto you: O Israel, if you will listen unto me; ⁹ There shall no strange god be in you; neither shall you worship any strange god. ¹⁰ I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt: open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. ¹¹ But my people would not listen to my voice; and Israel refused me. ¹² So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels. ¹³ Oh that my people had listened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! ¹⁴ I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries. ¹⁵ The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured forever. ¹⁶ He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied you.

A Psalm of Asaph.

God stands in the congregation of the mighty; he judges among the gods. ² How long will all of you judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. ³ Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. ⁴ Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. ⁵ They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. ⁶ I have said, All of you are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. ⁷ But all of you shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. ⁸ Arise, O God, judge the earth: for you shall inherit all nations.

A Song or Psalm of Asaph.

Keep not you silence, O God: hold not your peace, and be not still, O God. ² For, lo, your enemies make a tumult: and they that hate you have lifted up the head. ³ They have taken crafty counsel against your people, and consulted against your hidden ones. ⁴ They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. ⁵ For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against you: ⁶ The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; ⁷ Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; ⁸ Assur also is joined with them: they have helped the children of Lot. Selah. ⁹ Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison: ¹⁰ Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth. ¹¹ Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yes, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna: ¹² Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession. ¹³ O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind. ¹⁴ As the fire burns a wood, and as the flame sets the mountains on fire; ¹⁵ So persecute them with your tempest, and make them afraid with your storm. ¹⁶ Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek your name, O LORD. ¹⁷ Let them be confounded and troubled forever; yes, let them be put to shame, and perish: ¹⁸ That men may know that you, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, are the most high over all the earth.

To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.

How lovely are your tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! ² My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh cries out for the living God. ³ Yes, the sparrow has found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. ⁴ Blessed are they that dwell in your house: they will be still praising you. Selah. ⁵ Blessed is the man whose strength is in you; in whose heart are the ways of them. ⁶ Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also fills the pools. ⁷ They go from strength to strength, everyone of them in Zion appears before God. ⁸ O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah. ⁹ Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of your anointed. ¹⁰ For a day in your courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. ¹¹ For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. ¹² O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusts in you.

To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.

LORD, you have been favorable unto your land: you have brought back the captivity of Jacob. ² You have forgiven the iniquity of your people, you have covered all their sin. Selah. ³ You have taken away all your wrath: you have turned yourself from the fierceness of your anger. ⁴ Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause your anger toward us to cease. ⁵ Will you be angry with us forever? will you draw out your anger to all generations? ⁶ Will you not revive us again: that your people may rejoice in you? ⁷ Show us your mercy, O LORD, and grant us your salvation. ⁸ I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not return to folly. ⁹ Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. ¹⁰ Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. ¹¹ Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. ¹² Yes, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. ¹³ Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.

A Prayer of David.

Bow down your ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy. ² Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O you my God, save your servant that trusts in you. ³ Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto you daily. ⁴ Rejoice the soul of your servant: for unto you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. ⁵ For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive; and abundant in mercy unto all them that call upon you. ⁶ Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. ⁷ In the day of my trouble I will call upon you: for you will answer me. ⁸ Among the gods there is none like unto you, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto your works. ⁹ All nations whom you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord; and shall glorify your name. ¹⁰ For you are great, and do wondrous things: you are God alone. ¹¹ Teach me your way, O LORD; I will walk in your truth: unite my heart to fear your name. ¹² I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify your name for evermore. ¹³ For great is your mercy toward me: and you have delivered my soul from the low hell. ¹⁴ O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set you before them. ¹⁵ But you, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and abundant in mercy and truth. ¹⁶ O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give your strength unto your servant, and save the son of your handmaid. ¹⁷ Show me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because you, LORD, have helped me, and comforted me.

A Psalm or Song for the sons of Korah.

His foundation is in the holy mountains. ² The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. ³ Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God. Selah. ⁴ I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there. ⁵ And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her. ⁶ The LORD shall count, when he writes up the people, that this man was born there. Selah. ⁷ As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in you.

A Song or Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite.

O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before you: ² Let my prayer come before you: incline your ear unto my cry; ³ For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draws nigh unto the grave. ⁴ I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that has no strength: ⁵ Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom you remember no more: and they are cut off from your hand. ⁶ You have laid me in the low pit, in darkness, in the deeps. ⁷ Your wrath lies hard upon me, and you have afflicted me with all your waves. Selah. ⁸ You have put away mine acquaintance far from me; you have made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth. ⁹ Mine eye mourns by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon you, I have stretched out my hands unto you. ¹⁰ Will you show wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise and praise you? Selah. ¹¹ Shall your loving kindness be declared in the grave? or your faithfulness in destruction? ¹² Shall your wonders be known in the dark? and your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? ¹³ But unto you have I cried, O LORD; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent you. ¹⁴ LORD, why cast you off my soul? why hide you your face from me? ¹⁵ I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up: while I suffer your terrors I am distracted. ¹⁶ Your fierce wrath goes over me; your terrors have cut me off. ¹⁷ They came round about me daily like water; they compassed me about together. ¹⁸ Lover and friend have you put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness.

Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite.

I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever: with my mouth will I make known your faithfulness to all generations. ² For I have said, Mercy shall be built up forever: your faithfulness shall you establish in the very heavens. ³ I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, ⁴ Your seed will I establish forever, and build up your throne to all generations. Selah. ⁵ And the heavens shall praise your wonders, O LORD: your faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints. ⁶ For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD? ⁷ God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. ⁸ O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto you? or to your faithfulness round about you? ⁹ You rule the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, you still them. ¹⁰ You have broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; you have scattered your enemies with your strong arm. ¹¹ The heavens are yours, the earth also is yours: as for the world and the fullness thereof, you have founded them. ¹² The north and the south you have created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in your name. ¹³ You have a mighty arm: strong is your hand, and high is your right hand. ¹⁴ Justice and judgment are the habitation of your throne: mercy and truth shall go before your face. ¹⁵ Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of your countenance. ¹⁶ In your name shall they rejoice all the day: and in your righteousness shall they be exalted. ¹⁷ For you are the glory of their strength: and in your favor our horn shall be exalted. ¹⁸ For the LORD is our defense; and the Holy One of Israel is our king. ¹⁹ Then you spoke in vision to your holy one, and said, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people. ²⁰ I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him: ²¹ With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him. ²² The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wickedness afflict him. ²³ And I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him. ²⁴ But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted. ²⁵ I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers. ²⁶ He shall cry unto me, You are my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation. ²⁷ Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth. ²⁸ My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him. ²⁹ His seed also will I make to endure forever, and his throne as the days of heaven. ³⁰ If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; ³¹ If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; ³² Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. ³³ Nevertheless my loving kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. ³⁴ My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. ³⁵ Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. ³⁶ His seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before me. ³⁷ It shall be established forever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah. ³⁸ But you have cast off and abhorred, you have been angry with your anointed. ³⁹ You have made void the covenant of your servant: you have profaned his crown by casting it to the ground. ⁴⁰ You have broken down all his hedges; you have brought his strong holds to ruin. ⁴¹ All that pass by the way spoil him: he is a reproach to his neighbors. ⁴² You have set up the right hand of his adversaries; you have made all his enemies to rejoice. ⁴³ You have also turned the edge of his sword, and have not made him to stand in the battle. ⁴⁴ You have made his glory to cease, and cast his throne down to the ground. ⁴⁵ The days of his youth have you shortened: you have covered him with shame. Selah. ⁴⁶ How long, LORD? will you hide yourself forever? shall your wrath burn like fire? ⁴⁷ Remember how short my time is: wherefore have you made all men in vain? ⁴⁸ What man is he that lives, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah. ⁴⁹ Lord, where are your former loving kindnesses, which you sware unto David in your truth? ⁵⁰ Remember, Lord, the reproach of your servants; how I do bear in my bosom the reproach of all the mighty people; ⁵¹ Wherewith your enemies have reproached, O LORD; wherewith they have reproached the footsteps of your anointed. ⁵² Blessed be the LORD for evermore. Amen, and Amen.

Book 4: Psalms 90-106

A Prayer of Moses the man of God.

LORD, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. ² Before the mountains were brought forth, before even you had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God. ³ You turn man to destruction; and says, Return, all of you children of men. ⁴ For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. ⁵ You carry them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which grows up. ⁶ In the morning it flourishes, and grows up; in the evening it is cut down, and withers. ⁷ For we are consumed by your anger, and by your wrath are we troubled. ⁸ You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your countenance. ⁹ For all our days are passed away in your wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. ¹⁰ The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. ¹¹ Who knows the power of your anger? even according to your fear, so is your wrath. ¹² So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. ¹³ Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent you concerning your servants. ¹⁴ O satisfy us early with your mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. ¹⁵ Make us glad according to the days wherein you have afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil. ¹⁶ Let your work appear unto your servants, and your glory unto their children. ¹⁷ And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish you the work of our hands upon us; yes, the work of our hands establish you it.

He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. ² I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. ³ Surely he shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the dangerous pestilence. ⁴ He shall cover you with his feathers, and under his wings shall you trust: his truth shall be your shield and buckler. ⁵ You shall not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flies by day; ⁶ Nor for the pestilence that walks in darkness; nor for the destruction that wastes at noonday. ⁷ A thousand shall fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come nigh you. ⁸ Only with your eyes shall you behold and see the reward of the wicked. ⁹ Because you have made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, your habitation; ¹⁰ There shall no evil befall you, neither shall any plague come nigh your dwelling. ¹¹ For he shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. ¹² They shall bear you up in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone. ¹³ You shall tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shall you trample under feet. ¹⁴ Because he has set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he has known my name. ¹⁵ He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. ¹⁶ With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.

A Psalm or Song for the Sabbath day.

IT IS A GOOD THING TO GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, AND TO SING PRAISES UNTO Your NAME, O MOST HIGH: ² To show forth your loving kindness in the morning, and your faithfulness every night, ³ Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound. ⁴ For you, LORD, have made me glad through your work: I will triumph in the works of your hands. ⁵ O LORD, how great are your works! and your thoughts are very deep. ⁶ A brutish man knows not; neither does a fool understand this. ⁷ When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed forever: ⁸ But you, LORD, are most high for evermore. ⁹ For, lo, your enemies, O LORD, for, lo, your enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered. ¹⁰ But my horn shall you exalt like the horn of an unicorn p. ox: I shall be anointed with fresh oil. ¹¹ Mine eye also shall see my desire on mine enemies, and mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me. ¹² The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. ¹³ Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. ¹⁴ They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; ¹⁵ To show that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

The LORD reigns, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he has girded himself: the world also is established, that it cannot be moved. ² Your throne is established of old: you are from everlasting. ³ The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves. ⁴ The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yes, than the mighty waves of the sea. ⁵ Your testimonies are very sure: holiness becomes your house, O LORD, forever.

O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongs; O God, to whom vengeance belongs, show yourself. ² Lift up yourself, you judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud. ³ LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? ⁴ How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves? ⁵ They break in pieces your people, O LORD, and afflict your heritage. ⁶ They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless. ⁷ Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it. ⁸ Understand, all of you brutish among the people: and all of you fools, when will all of you be wise? ⁹ He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see? ¹⁰ He that chastises the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teaches man knowledge, shall not he know? ¹¹ The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. ¹² Blessed is the man whom you chasten, O LORD, and teach him out of your law; ¹³ That you may give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be dug for the wicked. ¹⁴ For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance. ¹⁵ But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it. ¹⁶ Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity? ¹⁷ Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence. ¹⁸ When I said, My foot slips; your mercy, O LORD, held me up. ¹⁹ In the multitude of my thoughts within me your comforts delight my soul. ²⁰ Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with you, which frames mischief by a law? ²¹ They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood. ²² But the LORD is my defense; and my God is the rock of my refuge. ²³ And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yes, the LORD our God shall cut them off.

O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. ² Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. ³ For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. ⁴ In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. ⁵ The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. ⁶ O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. ⁷ For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today if all of you will hear his voice, ⁸ Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: ⁹ When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. ¹⁰ Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways: ¹¹ Unto whom I swore in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth. ² Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; show forth his salvation from day to day. ³ Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. ⁴ For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. ⁵ For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. ⁶ Honor and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. ⁷ Give unto the LORD, O all of you families of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. ⁸ Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts. ⁹ O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. ¹⁰ Say among the heathen that the LORD reigns: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously. ¹¹ Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof. ¹² Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice ¹³ Before the LORD: for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

The LORD reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. ² Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. ³ A fire goes before him, and burns up his enemies round about. ⁴ His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. ⁵ The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. ⁶ The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory. ⁷ Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all you gods. ⁸ Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of your judgments, O LORD. ⁹ For you, LORD, are high above all the earth: you are exalted far above all gods. ¹⁰ All of you that love the LORD, hate evil: he perserves the souls of his saints; he delivers them out of the hand of the wicked. ¹¹ Light is planted for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. ¹² Rejoice in the LORD, all of you righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

A Psalm.

O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he has done marvelous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, has got him the victory. ² The LORD has made known his salvation: his righteousness has he openly showed in the sight of the heathen. ³ He has remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. ⁴ Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. ⁵ Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. ⁶ With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King. ⁷ Let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. ⁸ Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together ⁹ Before the LORD; for he comes to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.

The LORD reigns; let the people tremble: he sits between the cherubims; let the earth be moved. ² The LORD is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people. ³ Let them praise your great and terrible name; for it is holy. ⁴ The king's strength also loves judgment; you do establish equity, you execute judgment and righteousness in Jacob. ⁵ Exalt all of you the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy. ⁶ Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them. ⁷ He spoke unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them. ⁸ You answered them, O LORD our God: you were a God that forgave them, though you took vengeance of their inventions. ⁹ Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.

A Psalm of praise.

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all you lands. ² Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. ³ Know all of you that the LORD he is God: it is he that has made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. ⁴ Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. ⁵ For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endures to all generations.

A Psalm of David.

I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto you, O LORD, will I sing. ² I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when will you come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. ³ I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. ⁴ A perverse heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person. ⁵ Whoso privately slanders his neighbor, him will I cut off: him that has an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. ⁶ Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walks in a perfect way, he shall serve me. ⁷ He that works deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that tells lies shall not remain in my sight. ⁸ I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.

A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the Lord.

Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto you. ² Hide not your face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline your ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily. ³ For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth. ⁴ My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread. ⁵ By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin. ⁶ I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. ⁷ I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top. ⁸ Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me. ⁹ For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping. ¹⁰ Because of your indignation and your wrath: for you have lifted me up, and cast me down. ¹¹ My days are like a shadow that declines; and I am withered like grass. ¹² But you, O LORD, shall endure forever; and your remembrance unto all generations. ¹³ You shall arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favor her, yes, the set time, has come. ¹⁴ For your servants take pleasure in her stones, and favor the dust thereof. ¹⁵ So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth your glory. ¹⁶ When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory. ¹⁷ He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer. ¹⁸ This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD. ¹⁹ For he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth; ²⁰ To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; ²¹ To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem; ²² When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD. ²³ He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days. ²⁴ I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: your years are throughout all generations. ²⁵ Of old have you laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of your hands. ²⁶ They shall perish, but you shall endure: yes, all of them shall grew old like a garment; as a vesture shall you change them, and they shall be changed: ²⁷ But you are the same, and your years shall have no end. ²⁸ The children of your servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before you.

A Psalm of David.

Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. ² Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: ³ Who forgives all of your iniquities; who heals all your diseases; ⁴ Who redeems your life from destruction; who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies; ⁵ Who satisfies your mouth with good things; so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. ⁶ The LORD executes righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. ⁷ He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. ⁸ The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in mercy. ⁹ He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. ¹⁰ He has not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. ¹¹ For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. ¹² As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. ¹³ Like a father pities his children, so the LORD pities them that fear him. ¹⁴ For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. ¹⁵ As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. ¹⁶ For the wind passes over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. ¹⁷ But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; ¹⁸ To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. ¹⁹ The LORD has prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom rules over all. ²⁰ Bless the LORD, all of you his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, listening unto the voice of his word. ²¹ Bless all of you the LORD, all you his hosts; all of you ministers of his, that do his pleasure. ²² Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with honor and majesty. ² Who cover yourself with light as with a garment: who stretch out the heavens like a curtain: ³ Who lays the beams of his chambers in the waters: who makes the clouds his chariot: who walks upon the wings of the wind: ⁴ Who makes his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: ⁵ Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed forever. ⁶ You covered it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains. ⁷ At your rebuke they fled; at the voice of your thunder they hasted away. ⁸ They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which you have founded for them. ⁹ You have set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth. ¹⁰ He sends the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills. ¹¹ They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild donkeys quench their thirst. ¹² By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches. ¹³ He waters the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your works. ¹⁴ He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; ¹⁵ And wine that makes glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengthens man's heart. ¹⁶ The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he has planted; ¹⁷ Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. ¹⁸ The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies. ¹⁹ He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knows his going down. ²⁰ You make darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. ²¹ The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their food from God. ²² The sun arises, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens. ²³ Man goes forth unto his work and to his labor until the evening. ²⁴ O LORD, how manifold are your works! in wisdom have you made them all: the earth is full of your riches. ²⁵ So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. ²⁶ There go the ships: there is that leviathan p. sea serpent, whom you have made to play therein. ²⁷ These wait all upon you; that you may give them their food in due season. ²⁸ That you give them they gather: you open your hand, they are filled with good. ²⁹ You hide your face, they are troubled: you take away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. ³⁰ You send forth your spirit, they are created: and you renew the face of the earth. ³¹ The glory of the LORD shall endure forever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works. ³² He looks on the earth, and it trembles: he touches the hills, and they smoke. ³³ I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. ³⁴ My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD. ³⁵ Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless you the LORD, O my soul. Praise all of you the LORD.

O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. ² Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk all of you of all his wondrous works. ³ Glory all of you in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. ⁴ Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore. ⁵ Remember his marvelous works that he has done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; ⁶ O all of you seed of Abraham his servant, all of you children of Jacob his chosen. ⁷ He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth. ⁸ He has remembered his covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations. ⁹ Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; ¹⁰ And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant: ¹¹ Saying, Unto you will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance: ¹² When they were but a few men in number; yes, very few, and strangers in it. ¹³ When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people; ¹⁴ He suffered no man to do them wrong: yes, he reproved kings for their sakes; ¹⁵ Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. ¹⁶ Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread. ¹⁷ He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: ¹⁸ Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: ¹⁹ Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him. ²⁰ The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. ²¹ He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: ²² To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom. ²³ Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham. ²⁴ And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies. ²⁵ He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtlely with his servants. ²⁶ He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen. ²⁷ They showed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham. ²⁸ He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word. ²⁹ He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish. ³⁰ Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings. ³¹ He spoke, and there came various sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts. ³² He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land. ³³ He stroke their vines also and their fig trees; and brake the trees of their coasts. ³⁴ He spoke, and the locusts came, and caterpillars, and that without number, ³⁵ And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground. ³⁶ He stroke also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength. ³⁷ He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes. ³⁸ Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them. ³⁹ He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night. ⁴⁰ The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven. ⁴¹ He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river. ⁴² For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant. ⁴³ And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness: ⁴⁴ And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labor of the people; ⁴⁵ That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise all of you the LORD.

Praise all of you the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endures forever. ² Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? who can show forth all his praise? ³ Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that does righteousness at all times. ⁴ Remember me, O LORD, with the favor that you bear unto your people: O visit me with your salvation; ⁵ That I may see the good of your chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, that I may glory with your inheritance. ⁶ We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly. ⁷ Our fathers understood not your wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of your mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea. ⁸ Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known. ⁹ He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness. ¹⁰ And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. ¹¹ And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left. ¹² Then believed they his words; they sang his praise. ¹³ They soon forgotten about his works; they waited not for his counsel: ¹⁴ But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. ¹⁵ And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul. ¹⁶ They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron the saint of the LORD. ¹⁷ The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan and covered the company of Abiram. ¹⁸ And a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the wicked. ¹⁹ They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image. ²⁰ Thus they changed their glory into the embodiment of an ox that eats grass. ²¹ They forgotten about God their savior, which had done great things in Egypt; ²² Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red sea. ²³ Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them. ²⁴ Yes, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word: ²⁵ But murmured in their tents, and listened not unto the voice of the LORD. ²⁶ Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness: ²⁷ To overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in the lands. ²⁸ They joined themselves also unto Baal-peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead. ²⁹ Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them. ³⁰ Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed. ³¹ And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore. ³² They angered him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes: ³³ Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spoke without due consideration with his lips. ³⁴ They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them: ³⁵ But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works. ³⁶ And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them. ³⁷ Yes, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils, ³⁸ And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood. ³⁹ Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions. ⁴⁰ Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance. ⁴¹ And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them. ⁴² Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand. ⁴³ Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. ⁴⁴ Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry: ⁴⁵ And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies. ⁴⁶ He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives. ⁴⁷ Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto your holy name, and to triumph in your praise. ⁴⁸ Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise all of you the LORD.

Book 5: Psalms 107-150

O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endures forever. ² Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from the hand of the enemy; ³ And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south. ⁴ They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. ⁵ Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. ⁶ Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. ⁷ And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. ⁸ Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! ⁹ For he satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness. ¹⁰ Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; ¹¹ Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: ¹² Therefore he brought down their heart with labor; they fell down, and there was none to help. ¹³ Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. ¹⁴ He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in two. ¹⁵ Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! ¹⁶ For he has broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in two. ¹⁷ Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. ¹⁸ Their soul detests all manner of food; and they draw near unto the gates of death. ¹⁹ Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saves them out of their distresses. ²⁰ He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. ²¹ Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! ²² And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing. ²³ They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; ²⁴ These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. ²⁵ For he commands, and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up the waves thereof. ²⁶ They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. ²⁷ They reel back and forth, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their know's end. ²⁸ Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he brings them out of their distresses. ²⁹ He makes the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. ³⁰ Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he brings them unto their desired haven. ³¹ Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! ³² Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. ³³ He turns rivers into a wilderness, and the fountains into dry ground; ³⁴ A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein. ³⁵ He turns the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into fountains. ³⁶ And there he makes the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation; ³⁷ And plant the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase. ³⁸ He blesses them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffers not their cattle to decrease. ³⁹ Again, they are diminished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow. ⁴⁰ He pours contempt upon princes, and causes them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way. ⁴¹ Yet sets he the poor on high from affliction, and makes him families like a flock. ⁴² The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth. ⁴³ Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the loving kindness of the LORD.

A Song or Psalm of David.

O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. ² Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. ³ I will praise you, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto you among the nations. ⁴ For your mercy is great above the heavens: and your truth reachs unto the clouds. ⁵ Be you exalted, O God, above the heavens: and your glory above all the earth; ⁶ That your beloved may be delivered: save with your right hand, and answer me. ⁷ God has spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth. ⁸ Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver; ⁹ Moab is my pot for washing; over Edom will I cast out my shoe; over Philistia will I triumph. ¹⁰ Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom? ¹¹ Will not you, O God, who have cast us off? and will not you, O God, go forth with our hosts? ¹² Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. ¹³ Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

Hold not your peace, O God of my praise; ² For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. ³ They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause. ⁴ For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer. ⁵ And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love. ⁶ Set you a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand. ⁷ When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin. ⁸ Let his days be few; and let another take his office. ⁹ Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow. ¹⁰ Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places. ¹¹ Let the extortionist catch all that he has; and let the strangers spoil his labor. ¹² Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favor his fatherless children. ¹³ Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out. ¹⁴ Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the LORD; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out. ¹⁵ Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth. ¹⁶ Because that he remembered not to show mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart. ¹⁷ As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him. ¹⁸ As he clothed himself with cursing like with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones. ¹⁹ Let it be unto him as the garment which covers him, and for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually. ²⁰ Let this be the reward of mine adversaries from the LORD, and of them that speak evil against my soul. ²¹ But do you for me, O GOD the Lord, for your name's sake: because your mercy is good, deliver you me. ²² For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me. ²³ I am gone like the shadow when it declines: I am tossed up and down as the locust. ²⁴ My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh fails of fatness. ²⁵ I became also a reproach unto them: when they looked upon me they shook their heads. ²⁶ Help me, O LORD my God: O save me according to your mercy: ²⁷ That they may know that this is your hand; that you, LORD, have done it. ²⁸ Let them curse, but bless you: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let your servant rejoice. ²⁹ Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle. ³⁰ I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yes, I will praise him among the multitude. ³¹ For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.

A Psalm of David.

The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit you at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool. ² The LORD shall send the rod of your strength out of Zion: rule you in the midst of your enemies. ³ Your people shall be willing in the day of your power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: you have the dew of your youth. ⁴ The LORD has sworn, and will not repent, You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. ⁵ The Lord at your right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath. ⁶ He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries. ⁷ He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.

Praise all of you the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. ² The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. ³ His work is honorable and glorious: and his righteousness endures forever. ⁴ He has made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion. ⁵ He has given food unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant. ⁶ He has showed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen. ⁷ The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. ⁸ They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. ⁹ He sent redemption unto his people: he has commanded his covenant forever: holy and reverend is his name. ¹⁰ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endures forever.

Praise all of you the LORD. Blessed is the man that fears the LORD, that delights greatly in his commandments. ² His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. ³ Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endures forever. ⁴ Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. ⁵ A good man shows favor, and lends: he will guide his affairs with discretion. ⁶ Surely he shall not be moved forever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. ⁷ He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. ⁸ His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies. ⁹ He has dispersed, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn shall be exalted with honor. ¹⁰ The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

Praise all of you the LORD. Praise, O all of you servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. ² Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. ³ From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised. ⁴ The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. ⁵ Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwells on high, ⁶ Who humbles himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth! ⁷ He raises up the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the dunghill; ⁸ That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people. ⁹ He makes the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise all of you the LORD.

When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language; ² Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion. ³ The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back. ⁴ The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs. ⁵ What ailed you, O you sea, that you fled? you Jordan, that you were driven back? ⁶ All of you mountains, that all of you skipped like rams; and all of you little hills, like lambs? ⁷ Tremble, you earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob; ⁸ Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.

Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto your name give glory, for your mercy, and for your truth's sake. ² Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? ³ But our God is in the heavens: he has done whatsoever he has pleased. ⁴ Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. ⁵ They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: ⁶ They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: ⁷ They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. ⁸ They that make them are like unto them; so is everyone that trusts in them. ⁹ O Israel, trust you in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. ¹⁰ O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. ¹¹ All of you that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. ¹² The LORD has been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron. ¹³ He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great. ¹⁴ The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children. ¹⁵ All of you are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth. ¹⁶ The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's: but the earth has he given to the children of men. ¹⁷ The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence. ¹⁸ But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.

I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my supplications. ² Because he has inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. ³ The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell got hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. ⁴ Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I plead to you, deliver my soul. ⁵ Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yes, our God is merciful. ⁶ The LORD perserves the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me. ⁷ Return unto your rest, O my soul; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. ⁸ For you have delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. ⁹ I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living. ¹⁰ I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted: ¹¹ I said in my haste, All men are liars. ¹² What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? ¹³ I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. ¹⁴ I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people. ¹⁵ Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. ¹⁶ O LORD, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, and the son of your handmaid: you have loosed my bonds. ¹⁷ I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD. ¹⁸ I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people. ¹⁹ In the courts of the LORD's house, in the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Praise all of you the LORD.

O praise the LORD, all you nations: praise him, all you people. ² For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endures forever. Praise all of you the LORD.

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endures forever. ² Let Israel now say, that his mercy endures forever. ³ Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endures forever. ⁴ Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endures for ever. ⁵ I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. ⁶ The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? ⁷ The LORD takes my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. ⁸ It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. ⁹ It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes. ¹⁰ All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them. ¹¹ They compassed me about; yes, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. ¹² They compassed me about like bees: they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. ¹³ You have thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me. ¹⁴ The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation. ¹⁵ The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD does valiantly. ¹⁶ The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD does valiantly. ¹⁷ I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. ¹⁸ The LORD has chastened me sore: but he has not given me over unto death. ¹⁹ Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: ²⁰ This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter. ²¹ I will praise you: for you have heard me, and are become my salvation. ²² The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. ²³ This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. ²⁴ This is the day which the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. ²⁵ Save now, I plead to you, O LORD: O LORD, I plead to you, send now prosperity. ²⁶ Blessed be he that comes in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD. ²⁷ God is the LORD, which has showed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. ²⁸ You are my God, and I will praise you: you are my God, I will exalt you. ²⁹ O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endures forever.

ALEPH

Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. ² Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. ³ They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. ⁴ You have commanded us to keep your precepts diligently. ⁵ O that my ways were directed to keep your statutes! ⁶ Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all your commandments. ⁷ I will praise you with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned your righteous judgments. ⁸ I will keep your statutes: O forsake me not utterly. ⁹ Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to your word. ¹⁰ With my whole heart have I sought you: O let me not wander from your commandments. ¹¹ Your word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against you. ¹² Blessed are you, O LORD: teach me your statutes. ¹³ With my lips have I declared all the judgments of your mouth. ¹⁴ I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches. ¹⁵ I will meditate in your precepts, and have respect unto your ways. ¹⁶ I will delight myself in your statutes: I will not forget your word. ¹⁷ Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live, and keep your word. ¹⁸ Open you mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. ¹⁹ I am a stranger in the earth: hide not your commandments from me. ²⁰ My soul breaks for the longing that it has unto your judgments at all times. ²¹ You have rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do go astray from your commandments. ²² Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept your testimonies. ²³ Princes also did sit and speak against me: but your servant did meditate in your statutes. ²⁴ Your testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors. ²⁵ My soul cleaves unto the dust: you restore life in me according to your word. ²⁶ I have declared my ways, and you heard me: teach me your statutes. ²⁷ Make me to understand the way of your precepts: so shall I talk of your wondrous works. ²⁸ My soul melts for heaviness: strengthen you me according unto your word. ²⁹ Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me your law graciously. ³⁰ I have chosen the way of truth: your judgments have I laid before me. ³¹ I have stuck unto your testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame. ³² I will run the way of your commandments, when you shall enlarge my heart. ³³ Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. ³⁴ Give me understanding, and I shall keep your law; yes, I shall observe it with my whole heart. ³⁵ Make me to go in the path of your commandments; for therein do I delight. ³⁶ Incline my heart unto your testimonies, and not to covetousness. ³⁷ Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and you restore life in me in your way. ³⁸ Establish your word unto your servant, who is devoted to your fear. ³⁹ Turn away my reproach which I fear: for your judgments are good. ⁴⁰ Behold, I have longed after your precepts: restore life in me in your righteousness. ⁴¹ Let your mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even your salvation, according to your word. ⁴² So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproaches me: for I trust in your word. ⁴³ And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in your judgments. ⁴⁴ So shall I keep your law continually forever and ever. ⁴⁵ And I will walk at liberty: for I seek your precepts. ⁴⁶ I will speak of your testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. ⁴⁷ And I will delight myself in your commandments, which I have loved. ⁴⁸ My hands also will I lift up unto your commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in your statutes. ⁴⁹ Remember the word unto your servant, upon which you have caused me to hope. ⁵⁰ This is my comfort in my affliction: for your word has quickened me. ⁵¹ The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from your law. ⁵² I remembered your judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself. ⁵³ Horror has taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake your law. ⁵⁴ Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage. ⁵⁵ I have remembered your name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept your law. ⁵⁶ This I had, because I kept your precepts. ⁵⁷ You are my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep your words. ⁵⁸ I implored your favor with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to your word. ⁵⁹ I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto your testimonies. ⁶⁰ I made haste, and delayed not to keep your commandments. ⁶¹ The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten your law. ⁶² At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto you because of your righteous judgments. ⁶³ I am a companion of all them that fear you, and of them that keep your precepts. ⁶⁴ The earth, O LORD, is full of your mercy: teach me your statutes. ⁶⁵ You have dealt well with your servant, O LORD, according unto your word. ⁶⁶ Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed your commandments. ⁶⁷ Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept your word. ⁶⁸ You are good, and do good; teach me your statutes. ⁶⁹ The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep your precepts with my whole heart. ⁷⁰ Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in your law. ⁷¹ It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn your statutes. ⁷² The law of your mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver. ⁷³ Your hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments. ⁷⁴ They that fear you will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in your word. ⁷⁵ I know, O LORD, that your judgments are right, and that you in faithfulness have afflicted me. ⁷⁶ Let, I pray you, your merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to your word unto your servant. ⁷⁷ Let your tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for your law is my delight. ⁷⁸ Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in your precepts. ⁷⁹ Let those that fear you turn unto me, and those that have known your testimonies. ⁸⁰ Let my heart be sound in your statutes; that I be not ashamed. ⁸¹ My soul faints for your salvation: but I hope in your word. ⁸² Mine eyes fail for your word, saying, When will you comfort me? ⁸³ For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget your statutes. ⁸⁴ How many are the days of your servant? when will you execute judgment on them that persecute me? ⁸⁵ The proud have dug pits for me, which are not after your law. ⁸⁶ All your commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help you me. ⁸⁷ They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not your precepts. ⁸⁸ Restore life in me after your loving kindness; so shall I keep the testimony of your mouth. ⁸⁹ Forever, O LORD, your word is settled in heaven. ⁹⁰ Your faithfulness is unto all generations: you have established the earth, and it abides. ⁹¹ They continue this day according to your ordinances: for all are your servants. ⁹² Unless your law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. ⁹³ I will never forget your precepts: for with them you have quickened me. ⁹⁴ I am yours, save me: for I have sought your precepts. ⁹⁵ The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider your testimonies. ⁹⁶ I have seen an end of all perfection: but your commandment is exceeding broad. ⁹⁷ O how I love your law! it is my meditation all the day. ⁹⁸ You through your commandments have made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. ⁹⁹ I have more understanding than all my teachers: for your testimonies are my meditation. ¹⁰⁰ I understand more than the ancients, because I keep your precepts. ¹⁰¹ I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep your word. ¹⁰² I have not departed from your judgments: for you have taught me. ¹⁰³ How sweet are your words unto my taste! yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! ¹⁰⁴ Through your precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. ¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. ¹⁰⁶ I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep your righteous judgments. ¹⁰⁷ I am afflicted very much: restore life in me, O LORD, according unto your word. ¹⁰⁸ Accept, I plead to you, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me your judgments. ¹⁰⁹ My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget your law. ¹¹⁰ The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from your precepts. ¹¹¹ Your testimonies have I taken as an heritage forever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. ¹¹² I have inclined mine heart to perform your statutes always, even unto the end. ¹¹³ I hate vain thoughts: but your law do I love. ¹¹⁴ You are my hiding place and my shield: I hope in your word. ¹¹⁵ Depart from me, all of you evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God. ¹¹⁶ Uphold me according unto your word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. ¹¹⁷ Hold you me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto your statutes continually. ¹¹⁸ You have trodden down all them that go astray from your statutes: for their deceit is falsehood. ¹¹⁹ You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love your testimonies. ¹²⁰ My flesh trembles for fear of you; and I am afraid of your judgments. ¹²¹ I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors. ¹²² Be guarantor for your servant for good: let not the proud oppress me. ¹²³ Mine eyes fail for your salvation, and for the word of your righteousness. ¹²⁴ Deal with your servant according unto your mercy, and teach me your statutes. ¹²⁵ I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies. ¹²⁶ It is time for you, LORD, to work: for they have made void your law. ¹²⁷ Therefore I love your commandments above gold; yes, above fine gold. ¹²⁸ Therefore I esteem all your precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way. ¹²⁹ Your testimonies are wonderful: therefore does my soul keep them. ¹³⁰ The entrance of your words gives light; it gives understanding unto the simple. ¹³¹ I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for your commandments. ¹³² Look you upon me, and be merciful unto me, as you use to do unto those that love your name. ¹³³ Order my steps in your word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. ¹³⁴ Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep your precepts. ¹³⁵ Make your face to shine upon your servant; and teach me your statutes. ¹³⁶ Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not your law. ¹³⁷ Righteous are you, O LORD, and upright are your judgments. ¹³⁸ Your testimonies that you have commanded are righteous and very faithful. ¹³⁹ My zeal has consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten your words. ¹⁴⁰ Your word is very pure: therefore your servant loves it. ¹⁴¹ I am small and despised: yet do not I forget your precepts. ¹⁴² Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and your law is the truth. ¹⁴³ Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet your commandments are my delights. ¹⁴⁴ The righteousness of your testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live. ¹⁴⁵ I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep your statutes. ¹⁴⁶ I cried unto you; save me, and I shall keep your testimonies. ¹⁴⁷ I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in your word. ¹⁴⁸ Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in your word. ¹⁴⁹ Hear my voice according unto your loving kindness: O LORD, restore life in me according to your judgment. ¹⁵⁰ They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from your law. ¹⁵¹ You are near, O LORD; and all your commandments are truth. ¹⁵² Concerning your testimonies, I have known of old that you have founded them forever. ¹⁵³ Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget your law. ¹⁵⁴ Plead my cause, and deliver me: restore life in me according to your word. ¹⁵⁵ Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not your statutes. ¹⁵⁶ Great are your tender mercies, O LORD: restore life in me according to your judgments. ¹⁵⁷ Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from your testimonies. ¹⁵⁸ I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not your word. ¹⁵⁹ Consider how I love your precepts: restore life in me, O LORD, according to your loving kindness. ¹⁶⁰ Your word is true from the beginning: and everyone of your righteous judgments endures forever. ¹⁶¹ Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart stands in awe of your word. ¹⁶² I rejoice at your word, as one that finds great spoil. ¹⁶³ I hate and detest lying: but your law do I love. ¹⁶⁴ Seven times a day do I praise you because of your righteous judgments. ¹⁶⁵ Great peace have they which love your law: and nothing shall offend them. ¹⁶⁶ LORD, I have hoped for your salvation, and done your commandments. ¹⁶⁷ My soul has kept your testimonies; and I love them exceedingly. ¹⁶⁸ I have kept your precepts and your testimonies: for all my ways are before you. ¹⁶⁹ Let my cry come near before you, O LORD: give me understanding according to your word. ¹⁷⁰ Let my supplication come before you: deliver me according to your word. ¹⁷¹ My lips shall utter praise, when you have taught me your statutes. ¹⁷² My tongue shall speak of your word: for all your commandments are righteousness. ¹⁷³ Let your hand help me; for I have chosen your precepts. ¹⁷⁴ I have longed for your salvation, O LORD; and your law is my delight. ¹⁷⁵ Let my soul live, and it shall praise you; and let your judgments help me. ¹⁷⁶ I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant; for I do not forget your commandments.

A Song of degrees.

In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me. ² Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. ³ What shall be given unto you? or what shall be done unto you, you false tongue? ⁴ Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper. ⁵ Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar! ⁶ My soul has long dwelt with him that hates peace. ⁷ I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.

A Song of degrees.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence comes my help. ² My help comes from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. ³ He will not suffer your foot to be moved: he that keeps you will not slumber. ⁴ Behold, he that keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. ⁵ The LORD is your keeper: the LORD is your shade upon your right hand. ⁶ The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. ⁷ The LORD shall preserve you from all evil: he shall preserve your soul. ⁸ The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

A Song of degrees of David.

I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. ² Our feet shall stand within your gates, O Jerusalem. ³ Jerusalem is built as a city that is compact together: ⁴ Where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD. ⁵ For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. ⁶ Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love you. ⁷ Peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces. ⁸ For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within you. ⁹ Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek your good.

A Song of degrees.

Unto you lift I up mine eyes, O you that dwell in the heavens. ² Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us. ³ Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt. ⁴ Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.

A Song of degrees of David.

If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say; ² If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us: ³ Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us: ⁴ Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul: ⁵ Then the proud waters had gone over our soul. ⁶ Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as a prey to their teeth. ⁷ Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. ⁸ Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

A Song of degrees.

They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abides forever. ² As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even forever. ³ For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity. ⁴ Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts. ⁵ As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.

A Song of degrees.

When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. ² Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD has done great things for them. ³ The LORD has done great things for us; whereof we are glad. ⁴ Return our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. ⁵ They that plant in tears shall reap in joy. ⁶ He that goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

A Song of degrees for Solomon.

Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman wakes but in vain. ² It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he gives his beloved sleep. ³ Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. ⁴ As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. ⁵ Happy is the man that has his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

A Song of degrees.

Blessed is everyone that fears the LORD; that walks in his ways. ² For you shall eat the labor of your hands: happy shall you be, and it shall be well with you. ³ Your wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of your house: your children like olive plants round about your table. ⁴ Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that fears the LORD. ⁵ The LORD shall bless you out of Zion: and you shall see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life. ⁶ Yes, you shall see your children's children, and peace upon Israel.

A Song of degrees.

Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say: ² Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me. ³ The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows. ⁴ The LORD is righteous: he has cut into pieces the cords of the wicked. ⁵ Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion. ⁶ Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withers before it grows up: ⁷ Wherewith the mower fills not his hand; nor he that binds sheaves his bosom. ⁸ Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the LORD be upon you: we bless you in the name of the LORD.

A Song of degrees.

Out of the depths have I cried unto you, O LORD. ² Lord, hear my voice: let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. ³ If you, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? ⁴ But there is forgiveness with you, that you may be feared. ⁵ I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, and in his word do I hope. ⁶ My soul waits for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. ⁷ Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is abundant redemption. ⁸ And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

A Song of degrees of David.

LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. ² Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child. ³ Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and forever.

A Song of degrees.

LORD, remember David, and all his afflictions: ² How he swore unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob; ³ Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed; ⁴ I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, ⁵ Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob. ⁶ Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood. ⁷ We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool. ⁸ Arise, O LORD, into your rest; you, and the ark of your strength. ⁹ Let your priests be clothed with righteousness; and let your saints shout for joy. ¹⁰ For your servant David's sake turn not away the face of your anointed. ¹¹ The LORD has sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of your body will I set upon your throne. ¹² If your children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon your throne for evermore. ¹³ For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his habitation. ¹⁴ This is my rest forever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. ¹⁵ I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. ¹⁶ I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. ¹⁷ There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. ¹⁸ His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.

A Song of degrees of David.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! ² It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; ³ As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

A Song of degrees.

Behold, bless all of you the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD. ² Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD. ³ The LORD that made heaven and earth bless you out of Zion.

Praise all of you the LORD. Praise all of you the name of the LORD; praise him, O all of you servants of the LORD. ² All of you that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God. ³ Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant. ⁴ For the LORD has chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his exclusive treasure. ⁵ For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. ⁶ Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. ⁷ He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; he makes lightnings for the rain; he brings the wind out of his treasuries. ⁸ Who stroke the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast. ⁹ Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of you, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants. ¹⁰ Who stroke great nations, and slew mighty kings; ¹¹ Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan: ¹² And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people. ¹³ Your name, O LORD, endures forever; and your memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations. ¹⁴ For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants. ¹⁵ The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. ¹⁶ They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; ¹⁷ They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths. ¹⁸ They that make them are like unto them: so is everyone that trusts in them. ¹⁹ Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron: ²⁰ Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: all of you that fear the LORD, bless the LORD. ²¹ Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwells at Jerusalem. Praise all of you the LORD.

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endures forever. ² O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endures for ever. ³ O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endures for ever. ⁴ To him who alone does great wonders: for his mercy endures for ever. ⁵ To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endures forever. ⁶ To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endures forever. ⁷ To him that made great lights: for his mercy endures forever: ⁸ The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endures forever: ⁹ The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endures for ever. ¹⁰ To him that stroke Egypt in 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 with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endures forever. ¹³ To him which divided the Red sea into parts: 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 which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endures forever. ¹⁷ To him which stroke great kings: for his mercy endures forever: ¹⁸ And slew famous kings: for his mercy endures forever: ¹⁹ Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endures forever: ²⁰ And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endures forever: ²¹ And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endures for ever: ²² Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endures forever. ²³ Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endures for ever: ²⁴ And has redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endures forever. ²⁵ Who gives food to all flesh: for his mercy endures forever. ²⁶ O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endures forever.

By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion. ² We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. ³ For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us delight, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. ⁴ How shall we sing the LORD's song in a strange land? ⁵ If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. ⁶ If I do not remember you, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. ⁷ Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Demolish it, demolish it, even to the foundation thereof. ⁸ O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewards you as you have served us. ⁹ Happy shall he be, that takes and dashes your little ones against the stones.

A Psalm of David.

I will praise you with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto you. ² I will worship toward your holy temple, and praise your name for your loving kindness and for your truth: for you have magnified your word above all your name. ³ In the day when I cried you answered me, and strengthened me with strength in my soul. ⁴ All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O LORD, when they hear the words of your mouth. ⁵ Yes, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD. ⁶ Though the LORD be high, yet has he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knows far off. ⁷ Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you will revive me: you shall stretch forth your hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and your right hand shall save me. ⁸ The LORD will perfect that which concerns me: your mercy, O LORD, endures forever: forsake not the works of your own hands.

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

O LORD, you have searched me, and known me. ² You know my sitting down and mine rising up, you understand my thought far off. ³ You compass my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. ⁴ For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, you know it altogether. ⁵ You have beset me behind and before, and laid your hand upon me. ⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. ⁷ Where shall I go from your spirit? or where shall I flee from your presence? ⁸ If I ascend up into heaven, you are there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, you are there. ⁹ If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; ¹⁰ Even there shall your hand lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. ¹¹ If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. ¹² Yes, the darkness hides not from you; but the night shines as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to you. ¹³ For you have possessed my reins: you have covered me in my mother's womb. ¹⁴ I will praise you; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are your works; and that my soul knows right well. ¹⁵ My substance was not hid from you, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the low parts of the earth. ¹⁶ your eyes did see my substance, yet being imperfect; and in your book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. ¹⁷ How precious also are your thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! ¹⁸ If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with you. ¹⁹ Surely you will slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, all of you bloody men. ²⁰ For they speak against you wickedly, and your enemies take your name in vain. ²¹ Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate you? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against you? ²² I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies. ²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: ²⁴ And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man; ² Which imagine evil in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war. ³ They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah. ⁴ Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my activities. ⁵ The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah. ⁶ I said unto the LORD, You are my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD. ⁷ O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle. ⁸ Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah. ⁹ As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them. ¹⁰ Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again. ¹¹ Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him. ¹² I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor. ¹³ Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto your name: the upright shall dwell in your presence.

A Psalm of David.

LORD, I cry unto you: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto you. ² Let my prayer be set forth before you as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. ³ Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. ⁴ Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties. ⁵ Let the righteous strike me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities. ⁶ When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet. ⁷ Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, as when one cuts and cleaves wood upon the earth. ⁸ But mine eyes are unto you, O GOD the Lord: in you is my trust; leave not my soul destitute. ⁹ Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity. ¹⁰ Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I likewise escape.

Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave.

I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication. ² I poured out my complaint before him; I showed before him my trouble. ³ When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then you knew my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privately laid a snare for me. ⁴ I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. ⁵ I cried unto you, O LORD: I said, You are my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. ⁶ Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. ⁷ Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise your name: the righteous shall compass me about; for you shall deal bountifully with me.

A Psalm of David.

Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in your faithfulness answer me, and in your righteousness. ² And enter not into judgment with your servant: for in your sight shall no man living be justified. ³ For the enemy has persecuted my soul; he has smitten my life down to the ground; he has made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead. ⁴ Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. ⁵ I remember the days of old; I meditate on all your works; I meditate on the work of your hands. ⁶ I stretch forth my hands unto you: my soul thirsts after you, as a thirsty land. Selah. ⁷ Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit fails: hide not your face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. ⁸ Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning; for in you do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto you. ⁹ Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto you to hide me. ¹⁰ Teach me to do your will; for you are my God: your spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. ¹¹ Restore life in me, O LORD, for your name's sake: for your righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble. ¹² And of your mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am your servant.

A Psalm of David.

Blessed be the LORD my strength which teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: ² My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdues my people under me. ³ LORD, what is man, that you take knowledge of him! or the son of man, that you make account of him! ⁴ Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passes away. ⁵ Bow your heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke. ⁶ Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out your arrows, and destroy them. ⁷ Send your hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children; ⁸ Whose mouth speaks vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood. ⁹ I will sing a new song unto you, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto you. ¹⁰ It is he that gives salvation unto kings: who delivers David his servant from the hurtful sword. ¹¹ Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaks vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood: ¹² That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the embodiment of a palace: ¹³ That our barns may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets: ¹⁴ That our oxen may be strong to labor; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets. ¹⁵ Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yes, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.

David's Psalm of praise.

I will extol you, my God, O king; and I will bless your name for ever and ever. ² Every day will I bless you; and I will praise your name forever and ever. ³ Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. ⁴ One generation shall praise your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. ⁵ I will speak of the glorious honor of your majesty, and of your wondrous works. ⁶ And men shall speak of the might of your terrible acts: and I will declare your greatness. ⁷ They shall abundantly utter the memory of your great goodness, and shall sing of your righteousness. ⁸ The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. ⁹ The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. ¹⁰ All your works shall praise you, O LORD; and your saints shall bless you. ¹¹ They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom, and talk of your power; ¹² To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. ¹³ Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. ¹⁴ The LORD upholds all that fall, and raises up all those that be bowed down. ¹⁵ The eyes of all wait upon you; and you give them their food in due season. ¹⁶ You open your hand, and satisfy the desire of every living thing. ¹⁷ The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. ¹⁸ The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. ¹⁹ He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. ²⁰ The LORD perserves all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. ²¹ My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.

Praise all of you the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. ² While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being. ³ Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. ⁴ His breath goes forth, he returns to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. ⁵ Happy is he that has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God: ⁶ Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keeps truth forever: ⁷ Which executes judgment for the oppressed: which gives food to the hungry. The LORD looses the prisoners: ⁸ The LORD opens the eyes of the blind: the LORD raises them that are bowed down: the LORD loves the righteous: ⁹ The LORD perserves the strangers; he relieves the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turns upside down. ¹⁰ The LORD shall reign forever, even your God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise all of you the LORD.

Praise all of you the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely. ² The LORD does build up Jerusalem: he gathers together the outcasts of Israel. ³ He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds. ⁴ He tells the number of the stars; he calls them all by their names. ⁵ Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. ⁶ The LORD lifts up the meek: he casts the wicked down to the ground. ⁷ Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God: ⁸ Who covers the heaven with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass to grow upon the mountains. ⁹ He gives to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. ¹⁰ He delights not in the strength of the horse: he takes not pleasure in the legs of a man. ¹¹ The LORD takes pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. ¹² Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion. ¹³ For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; he has blessed your children within you. ¹⁴ He makes peace in your borders, and fills you with the finest of the wheat. ¹⁵ He sends forth his commandment upon earth: his word runs very swiftly. ¹⁶ He gives snow like wool: he scatters the hoarfrost like ashes. ¹⁷ He casts forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold? ¹⁸ He sends out his word, and melts them: he causes his wind to blow, and the waters flow. ¹⁹ He shows his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. ²⁰ He has not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise all of you the LORD.

Praise all of you the LORD. Praise all of you the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights. ² Praise all of you him, all his angels: praise all of you him, all his hosts. ³ Praise all of you him, sun and moon: praise him, all you stars of light. ⁴ Praise him, all of you heavens of heavens, and all of you waters that be above the heavens. ⁵ Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created. ⁶ He has also established them forever and ever: he has made a decree which shall not pass. ⁷ Praise the LORD from the earth, all of you dragons, and all deeps: ⁸ Fire, and hail; snow, and vapors; stormy wind fulfilling his word: ⁹ Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: ¹⁰ Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl: ¹¹ Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: ¹² Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: ¹³ Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. ¹⁴ He also exalts the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise all of you the LORD.

Praise all of you the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. ² Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. ³ Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. ⁴ For the LORD takes pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. ⁵ Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. ⁶ Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand; ⁷ To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; ⁸ To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; ⁹ To execute upon them the judgment written: this honor have all his saints. Praise all of you the LORD.

Praise all of you the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. ² Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. ³ Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. ⁴ Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. ⁵ Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. ⁶ Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise all of you the LORD.

THE

Prologue: Purpose and Theme

The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; ² To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; ³ To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; ⁴ To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. ⁵ A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: ⁶ To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. ⁷ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Warning Against Enticement

⁸ My son, hear the instruction of your father, and forsake not the law of your mother: ⁹ For they shall be an ornament of grace unto your head, and chains about your neck. ¹⁰ My son, if sinners entice you, consent you not. ¹¹ If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privately for the innocent without cause: ¹² Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: ¹³ We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: ¹⁴ Cast in your lot among us; let us all have one purse: ¹⁵ My son, walk not you in the way with them; refrain your foot from their path: ¹⁶ For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. ¹⁷ Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. ¹⁸ And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privately for their own lives. ¹⁹ So are the ways of everyone that is greedy of gain; which takes away the life of the owners thereof.

Warning Against Rejecting Wisdom

²⁰ Wisdom cries outside; she utters her voice in the streets: ²¹ She cries in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she utters her words, saying, ²² How long, all of you simple ones, will all of you love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? ²³ Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. ²⁴ Because I have called, and all of you refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; ²⁵ But all of you have set at nothing all my counsel, and refused my reproof: ²⁶ I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear comes; ²⁷ When your fear comes as desolation, and your destruction comes as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish comes upon you. ²⁸ Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: ²⁹ For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: ³⁰ They refused my counsel: they despised all my reproof. ³¹ Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. ³² For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. ³³ But whoso listens unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

The Moral Benefits of Wisdom

My son, if you will receive my words, and hide my commandments with you; ² So that you incline your ear unto wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; ³ Yes, if you cry after knowledge, and lift up your voice for understanding; ⁴ If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hid treasures; ⁵ Then shall you understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. ⁶ For the LORD gives wisdom: out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. ⁷ He lays up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. ⁸ He keeps the paths of judgment, and perserves the way of his saints. ⁹ Then shall you understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yes, every good path. ¹⁰ When wisdom enters into your heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto your soul; ¹¹ Discretion shall preserve you, understanding shall keep you: ¹² To deliver you from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaks perverse things; ¹³ Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; ¹⁴ Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the perverseness of the wicked; ¹⁵ Whose ways are crooked, and they perverse in their paths: ¹⁶ To deliver you from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flatters with her words; ¹⁷ Which forsakes the guide of her youth, and forgets the covenant of her God. ¹⁸ For her house inclines unto death, and her paths unto the dead. ¹⁹ None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. ²⁰ That you may walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous. ²¹ For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. ²² But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

Further Benefits of Wisdom

My son, forget not my law; but let your heart keep my commandments: ² For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to you. ³ Let not mercy and truth forsake you: bind them about your neck; write them upon the table of your heart: ⁴ So shall you find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man. ⁵ Trust in the LORD with all of your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths. ⁷ Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. ⁸ It shall be health to your navel, and marrow to your bones. ⁹ Honor the LORD with your substance, and with the first-fruits of all of your increase: ¹⁰ So shall your barns be filled with plenty, and your presses shall burst out with new wine. ¹¹ My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: ¹² For whom the LORD loves he corrects; even as a father the son in whom he delights. ¹³ Happy is the man that finds wisdom, and the man that gets understanding. ¹⁴ For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. ¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies: and all the things you can desire are not to be compared unto her. ¹⁶ Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor. ¹⁷ Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. ¹⁸ She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is everyone that retains her. ¹⁹ The LORD by wisdom has founded the earth; by understanding has he established the heavens. ²⁰ By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. ²¹ My son, let not them depart from your eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: ²² So shall they be life unto your soul, and grace to your neck. ²³ Then shall you walk in your way safely, and your foot shall not stumble. ²⁴ When you lie down, you shall not be afraid: yes, you shall lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet. ²⁵ Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes. ²⁶ For the LORD shall be your confidence, and shall keep your foot from being taken. ²⁷ Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it. ²⁸ Say not unto your neighbor, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when you have it by you. ²⁹ Devise not evil against your neighbor, seeing he dwells securely by you. ³⁰ Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done you no harm. ³¹ Envy you not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. ³² For the perverse is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous. ³³ The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesses the habitation of the just. ³⁴ Surely he scorns the scorners: but he gives grace unto the lowly. ³⁵ The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

Wisdom is Supreme

Hear, all of you children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. ² For I give you good doctrine, forsake all of you not my law. ³ For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. ⁴ He taught me also, and said unto me, Let your heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. ⁵ Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. ⁶ Forsake her not, and she shall preserve you: love her, and she shall keep you. ⁷ Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all your getting get understanding. ⁸ Exalt her, and she shall promote you: she shall bring you to honor, when you do embrace her. ⁹ She shall give to your head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to you. ¹⁰ Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of your life shall be many. ¹¹ I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. ¹² When you go, your steps shall not be straitened; and when you run, you shall not stumble. ¹³ Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is your life. ¹⁴ Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. ¹⁵ Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. ¹⁶ For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. ¹⁷ For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. ¹⁸ But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day. ¹⁹ The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. ²⁰ My son, attend to my words; incline your ear unto my sayings. ²¹ Let them not depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart. ²² For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. ²³ Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. ²⁴ Put away from you a perverse mouth, and perverse lips put far from you. ²⁵ Let your eyes look right on, and let your eyelids look straight before you. ²⁶ Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. ²⁷ Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove your foot from evil.

Warning Against Adultery

My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow your ear to my understanding: ² That you may regard discretion, and that your lips may keep knowledge. ³ For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: ⁴ But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. ⁵ Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell. ⁶ Lest you should ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that you cannot know them. ⁷ Hear me now therefore, O all of you children, and depart not from the words of my mouth. ⁸ Remove your way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house: ⁹ Lest you give your honor unto others, and your years unto the cruel: ¹⁰ Lest strangers be filled with your wealth; and your labors be in the house of a stranger; ¹¹ And you mourn at the last, when your flesh and your body are consumed, ¹² And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; ¹³ And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me! ¹⁴ I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly. ¹⁵ Drink waters out of your own cistern, and running waters out of your own well. ¹⁶ Let your fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets. ¹⁷ Let them be only your own, and not strangers' with you. ¹⁸ Let your fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of your youth. ¹⁹ Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy you at all times; and be you ravished always with her love. ²⁰ And why will you, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger? ²¹ For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his activities. ²² His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be held with the cords of his sins. ²³ He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

Warnings Against Folly

My son, if you be guarantor for your friend, if you have stricken your hand with a stranger, ² You are snared with the words of your mouth, you are taken with the words of your mouth. ³ Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself, when you are come into the hand of your friend; go, humble yourself, and make sure your friend. ⁴ Give not sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids. ⁵ Deliver yourself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler. ⁶ Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: ⁷ Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, ⁸ Provides her food in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. ⁹ How long will you sleep, O sluggard? when will you arise out of your sleep? ¹⁰ Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: ¹¹ So shall your poverty come as one that travels, and your lack as an armed man. ¹² A naughty person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth. ¹³ He winks with his eyes, he speaks with his feet, he teaches with his fingers; ¹⁴ Perverseness is in his heart, he devises mischief continually; he plants discord. ¹⁵ Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. ¹⁶ These six things does the LORD hate: yes, seven are an abomination unto him: ¹⁷ A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, ¹⁸ An heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, ¹⁹ A false witness that speaks lies, and he that plants discord among brethren.

Warning Against Lust

²⁰ My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not the law of your mother: ²¹ Bind them continually upon your heart, and tie them about your neck. ²² When you go, it shall lead you; when you sleep, it shall keep you; and when you awake, it shall talk with you. ²³ For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: ²⁴ To keep you from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. ²⁵ Lust not after her beauty in your heart; neither let her take you with her eyelids. ²⁶ For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adultress will hunt for the precious life. ²⁷ Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? ²⁸ Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? ²⁹ So he that goes in to his neighbor's wife; whosoever touches her shall not be innocent. ³⁰ Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry; ³¹ But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house. ³² But whoso commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding: he that does it destroys his own soul. ³³ A wound and dishonor shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away. ³⁴ For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. ³⁵ He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though you give many gifts.

Warning Against Adulteress

My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with you. ² Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of your eye. ³ Bind them upon your fingers, write them upon the table of your heart. ⁴ Say unto wisdom, You are my sister; and call understanding your kinswoman: ⁵ That they may keep you from the strange woman, from the stranger which flatters with her words. ⁶ For at the window of my house I looked through my casement, ⁷ And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, ⁸ Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house, ⁹ In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night: ¹⁰ And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtle of heart. ¹¹ She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: ¹² Now is she outside, now in the streets, and lies in wait at every corner. ¹³ So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an shameless face said unto him, ¹⁴ I have peace offerings with me; this day have I paid my vows. ¹⁵ Therefore came I forth to meet you, diligently to seek your face, and I have found you. ¹⁶ I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. ¹⁷ I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. ¹⁸ Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves. ¹⁹ For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey: ²⁰ He has taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed. ²¹ With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. ²² He goes after her immediately, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; ²³ Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hastes to the snare, and knows not that it is for his life. ²⁴ Listen unto me now therefore, O all of you children, and attend to the words of my mouth. ²⁵ Let not your heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. ²⁶ For she has cast down many wounded: yes, many strong men have been slain by her. ²⁷ Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.

Wisdom's Call

Does not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? ² She stands in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. ³ She cries at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. ⁴ Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. ⁵ O all of you simple, understand wisdom: and, all of you fools, be all of you of an understanding heart. ⁶ Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. ⁷ For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. ⁸ All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing perverse or perverse in them. ⁹ They are all plain to him that understands, and right to them that find knowledge. ¹⁰ Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. ¹¹ For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. ¹² I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. ¹³ The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the perverse mouth, do I hate. ¹⁴ Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. ¹⁵ By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. ¹⁶ By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. ¹⁷ I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. ¹⁸ Riches and honor are with me; yes, durable riches and righteousness. ¹⁹ My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. ²⁰ I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: ²¹ That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures. ²² The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. ²³ I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before even the earth was. ²⁴ When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. ²⁵ Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: ²⁶ While yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. ²⁷ When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: ²⁸ When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: ²⁹ When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: ³⁰ Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; ³¹ Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. ³² Now therefore listen unto me, O all of you children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. ³³ Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. ³⁴ Blessed is the man that hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. ³⁵ For whoso finds me finds life, and shall obtain favor of the LORD. ³⁶ But he that sins against me wrongs his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

Invitations of Wisdom and of Folly

Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars: ² She has killed her beasts; she has mingled her wine; she has also furnished her table. ³ She has sent forth her maidens: she cries upon the highest places of the city, ⁴ Whoso is simple, let him turn in here: as for him that wants understanding, she says to him, ⁵ Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. ⁶ Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. ⁷ He that reproves a scorner gets to himself shame: and he that rebukes a wicked man gets himself a blot. ⁸ Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate you: rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. ⁹ Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. ¹⁰ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. ¹¹ For by me your days shall be multiplied, and the years of your life shall be increased. ¹² If you be wise, you shall be wise for yourself: but if you scorn, you alone shall bear it. ¹³ A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knows nothing. ¹⁴ For she sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, ¹⁵ To call passengers who go right on their ways: ¹⁶ Whoso is simple, let him turn in here: and as for him that wants understanding, she says to him, ¹⁷ Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. ¹⁸ But he knows not that the dead are there; and that her guest are in the depths of hell.

The proverbs of Solomon Proverbs 10-22

The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. ² Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivers from death. ³ The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casts away the substance of the wicked. ⁴ He becomes poor that deals with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent makes rich. ⁵ He that gathers in summer is a wise son: but he that sleeps in harvest is a son that causes shame. ⁶ Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. ⁷ The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot. ⁸ The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a babbling fool shall fall. ⁹ He that walks uprightly walks surely: but he that perverts his ways shall be known. ¹⁰ He that winks with the eye causes sorrow: but a babbling fool shall fall. ¹¹ The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. ¹² Hatred stirs up strifes: but love covers all sins. ¹³ In the lips of him that has understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding. ¹⁴ Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction. ¹⁵ The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty. ¹⁶ The labor of the righteous tends to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin. ¹⁷ He is in the way of life that keeps instruction: but he that refuses reproof errs. ¹⁸ He that hides hatred with lying lips, and he that utters a slander, is a fool. ¹⁹ In the multitude of words there wants not sin: but he that refrains his lips is wise. ²⁰ The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. ²¹ The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for lack of wisdom. ²² The blessing of the LORD, it makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. ²³ It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding has wisdom. ²⁴ The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted. ²⁵ As the whirlwind passes, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation. ²⁶ As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him. ²⁷ The fear of the LORD prolongs days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. ²⁸ The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish. ²⁹ The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. ³⁰ The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth. ³¹ The mouth of the just brings forth wisdom: but the perverse tongue shall be cut out. ³² The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverseness.

A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight. ² When pride comes, then comes shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. ³ The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. ⁴ Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivers from death. ⁵ The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. ⁶ The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. ⁷ When a wicked man dies, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perishes. ⁸ The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked comes in his position. ⁹ An hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered. ¹⁰ When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting. ¹¹ By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. ¹² He that is void of wisdom despises his neighbor: but a man of understanding holds his peace. ¹³ A talebearer reveals secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit conceals the matter. ¹⁴ Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. ¹⁵ He that is guarantor for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hates standing for surety is sure. ¹⁶ A gracious woman retains honor: and strong men retain riches. ¹⁷ The merciful man does good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubles his own flesh. ¹⁸ The wicked works a deceitful work: but to him that plants righteousness shall be a sure reward. ¹⁹ As righteousness tends to life: so he that pursues evil pursues it to his own death. ²⁰ They that are of a perverse heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight. ²¹ Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. ²² As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion. ²³ The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath. ²⁴ There is that scatters, and yet increases; and there is that withholds more than is meet, but it tends to poverty. ²⁵ The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that waters shall be watered also himself. ²⁶ He that withholds corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that sells it. ²⁷ He that diligently seeks good procures favor: but he that seeks mischief, it shall come unto him. ²⁸ He that trusts in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. ²⁹ He that troubles his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart. ³⁰ The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that wins souls is wise. ³¹ Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

Whoso loves instruction loves knowledge: but he that hates reproof is brutish. ² A good man obtains favor of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. ³ A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. ⁴ A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that makes ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. ⁵ The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. ⁶ The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. ⁷ The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand. ⁸ A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised. ⁹ He that is despised, and has a servant, is better than he that honors himself, and lacks bread. ¹⁰ A righteous man regards the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. ¹¹ He that tills his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that follows vain persons is void of understanding. ¹² The wicked desires the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yields fruit. ¹³ The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. ¹⁴ A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him. ¹⁵ The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that listens unto counsel is wise. ¹⁶ A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covers shame. ¹⁷ He that speaks truth shows forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. ¹⁸ There is that speaks like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. ¹⁹ The lip of truth shall be established forever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. ²⁰ Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy. ²¹ There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. ²² Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. ²³ A prudent man conceals knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness. ²⁴ The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. ²⁵ Heaviness in the heart of man makes it stoop: but a good word makes it glad. ²⁶ The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor: but the way of the wicked seduces them. ²⁷ The slothful man roasts not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. ²⁸ In the way of righteousness is life: and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

A wise son hears his father's instruction: but a scorner hears not rebuke. ² A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. ³ He that keeps his mouth keeps his life: but he that opens wide his lips shall have destruction. ⁴ The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. ⁵ A righteous man hates lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and comes to shame. ⁶ Righteousness keeps him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthrows the sinner. ⁷ There is that makes himself rich, yet has nothing: there is that makes himself poor, yet has great riches. ⁸ The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor hears not rebuke. ⁹ The light of the righteous rejoices: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. ¹⁰ Only by pride comes contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. ¹¹ Wealth got by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathers by labor shall increase. ¹² Hope deferred makes the heart sick: but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. ¹³ Whoso despises the word shall be destroyed: but he that fears the commandment shall be rewarded. ¹⁴ The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. ¹⁵ Good understanding gives favor: but the way of transgressors is hard. ¹⁶ Every prudent man deals with knowledge: but a fool lays open his folly. ¹⁷ A wicked messenger falls into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. ¹⁸ Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuses instruction: but he that regards reproof shall be honored. ¹⁹ The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil. ²⁰ He that walks with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. ²¹ Evil pursues sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repaid. ²² A good man left an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. ²³ Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for lack of judgment. ²⁴ He that spares his rod hates his son: but he that loves him chastens him early. ²⁵ The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall lack.

Every wise woman builds her house: but the foolish plucks it down with her hands. ² He that walks in his uprightness fears the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despises him. ³ In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them. ⁴ Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. ⁵ A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. ⁶ A scorner seeks wisdom, and finds it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understands. ⁷ Go from the presence of a foolish man, when you perceive not in him the lips of knowledge. ⁸ The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. ⁹ Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favor. ¹⁰ The heart knows his own bitterness; and a stranger does not intermeddle with his joy. ¹¹ The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish. ¹² There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. ¹³ Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that delight is heaviness. ¹⁴ The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. ¹⁵ The simple believes every word: but the prudent man looks well to his going. ¹⁶ A wise man fears, and departs from evil: but the fool rages, and is confident. ¹⁷ He that is soon angry deals foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated. ¹⁸ The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. ¹⁹ The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. ²⁰ The poor is hated even of his own neighbor: but the rich has many friends. ²¹ He that despises his neighbor sins: but he that has mercy on the poor, happy is he. ²² Do they not go astray that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good. ²³ In all labor there is profit: but the talk of the lips tends only to destitution. ²⁴ The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly. ²⁵ A true witness delivers souls: but a deceitful witness speaks lies. ²⁶ In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. ²⁷ The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. ²⁸ In the multitude of people is the king's honor: but in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince. ²⁹ He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalts folly. ³⁰ A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. ³¹ He that oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker: but he that honors him has mercy on the poor. ³² The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous has hope in his death. ³³ Wisdom rests in the heart of him that has understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known. ³⁴ Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. ³⁵ The king's favor is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causes shame.

A soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. ² The tongue of the wise uses knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness. ³ The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. ⁴ A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. ⁵ A fool despises his father's instruction: but he that regards reproof is prudent. ⁶ In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. ⁷ The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish does not so. ⁸ The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. ⁹ The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loves him that follows after righteousness. ¹⁰ Correction is grievous unto him that forsakes the way: and he that hates reproof shall die. ¹¹ Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? ¹² A scorner loves not one that reproves him: neither will he go unto the wise. ¹³ A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. ¹⁴ The heart of him that has understanding seeks knowledge: but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. ¹⁵ All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart has a continual feast. ¹⁶ Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. ¹⁷ Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. ¹⁸ A wrathful man stirs up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeases strife. ¹⁹ The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain. ²⁰ A wise son makes a glad father: but a foolish man despises his mother. ²¹ Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walks uprightly. ²² Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. ²³ A man has joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! ²⁴ The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. ²⁵ The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. ²⁶ The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. ²⁷ He that is greedy of gain troubles his own house; but he that hates gifts shall live. ²⁸ The heart of the righteous studies to answer: but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. ²⁹ The LORD is far from the wicked: but he hears the prayer of the righteous. ³⁰ The light of the eyes rejoices the heart: and a good report makes the bones fat. ³¹ The ear that hears the reproof of life abides among the wise. ³² He that refuses instruction despises his own soul: but he that hears reproof gets understanding. ³³ The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility.

The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. ² All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weights the spirits. ³ Commit your works unto the LORD, and your thoughts shall be established. ⁴ The LORD has made all things for himself: yes, even the wicked for the day of evil. ⁵ Everyone that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. ⁶ By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. ⁷ When a man's ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. ⁸ Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. ⁹ A man's heart devises his way: but the LORD directs his steps. ¹⁰ A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresses not in judgment. ¹¹ A just weight and balance are the LORD's: all the weights of the bag are his work. ¹² It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. ¹³ Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaks right. ¹⁴ The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it. ¹⁵ In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain. ¹⁶ How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! ¹⁷ The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keeps his way perserves his soul. ¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. ¹⁹ Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. ²⁰ He that handles a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusts in the LORD, happy is he. ²¹ The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increases learning. ²² Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that has it: but the instruction of fools is folly. ²³ The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips. ²⁴ Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. ²⁵ There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. ²⁶ He that labors labors for himself; for his mouth craves it of him. ²⁷ An ungodly man digs up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. ²⁸ A perverse man plants strife: and a whisperer separates chief friends. ²⁹ A violent man entices his neighbor, and leads him into the way that is not good. ³⁰ He shuts his eyes to devise perverse things: moving his lips he brings evil to pass. ³¹ The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. ³² He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that rules his spirit than he that takes a city. ³³ The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife. ² A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causes shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren. ³ The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD tries the hearts. ⁴ A wicked doer gives heed to false lips; and a liar gives ear to a naughty tongue. ⁵ Whoso mocks the poor reproaches his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished. ⁶ Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. ⁷ Excellent speech becomes not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince. ⁸ A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that has it: anywhere it turns, it prospers. ⁹ He that covers a transgression seeks love; but he that repeats a matter separates very friends. ¹⁰ A reproof enters more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool. ¹¹ An evil man seeks only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. ¹² Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly. ¹³ Whoso rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. ¹⁴ The beginning of strife is as when one lets out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. ¹⁵ He that justifies the wicked, and he that condemns the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD. ¹⁶ Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he has no heart to it? ¹⁷ A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. ¹⁸ A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes guarantor in the presence of his friend. ¹⁹ He loves transgression that loves strife: and he that exalts his gate seeks destruction. ²⁰ He that has a perverse heart finds no good: and he that has a perverse tongue falls into mischief. ²¹ He that bring forths a fool does it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool has no joy. ²² A merry heart does good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones. ²³ A wicked man takes a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment. ²⁴ Wisdom is before him that has understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth. ²⁵ A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him. ²⁶ Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity. ²⁷ He that has knowledge spares his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. ²⁸ Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise: and he that shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeks and intermeddles with all wisdom. ² A fool has no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. ³ When the wicked comes, then comes also contempt, and with dishonor reproach. ⁴ The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. ⁵ It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment. ⁶ A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for strokes. ⁷ A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. ⁸ The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. ⁹ He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great destroyer. ¹⁰ The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runs into it, and is safe. ¹¹ The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. ¹² Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility. ¹³ He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame unto him. ¹⁴ The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? ¹⁵ The heart of the prudent gets knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. ¹⁶ A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men. ¹⁷ He that is first in his own cause seems just; but his neighbor comes and searches him. ¹⁸ The lot causes contentions to cease, and parts between the mighty. ¹⁹ A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. ²⁰ A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. ²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. ²² Whoso finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the LORD. ²³ The poor uses entreaties; but the rich answers roughly. ²⁴ A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

Better is the poor that walks in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. ² Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hastes with his feet sins. ³ The foolishness of man perverts his way: and his heart frets against the LORD. ⁴ Wealth makes many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbor. ⁵ A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaks lies shall not escape. ⁶ Many will implore the favor of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that gives gifts. ⁷ All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursues them with words, yet they are lacking to him. ⁸ He that gets wisdom loves his own soul: he that keeps understanding shall find good. ⁹ A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaks lies shall perish. ¹⁰ Delight is not suitable for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes. ¹¹ The discretion of a man defers his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. ¹² The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favor is as dew upon the grass. ¹³ A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. ¹⁴ House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD. ¹⁵ Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. ¹⁶ He that keeps the commandment keeps his own soul; but he that despises his ways shall die. ¹⁷ He that has pity upon the poor lends unto the LORD; and that which he has given will he pay him again. ¹⁸ Chasten your son while there is hope, and let not your soul spare for his crying. ¹⁹ A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if you deliver him, yet you must do it again. ²⁰ Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end. ²¹ There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. ²² The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. ²³ The fear of the LORD tends to life: and he that has it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. ²⁴ A slothful man hides his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. ²⁵ Strike a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that has understanding, and he will understand knowledge. ²⁶ He that wastes his father, and chases away his mother, is a son that causes shame, and brings reproach. ²⁷ Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causes to go astray from the words of knowledge. ²⁸ An ungodly witness scorns judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity. ²⁹ Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.

Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. ² The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provokes him to anger sins against his own soul. ³ It is an honor for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. ⁴ The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing. ⁵ Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out. ⁶ Most men will proclaim everyone his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? ⁷ The just man walks in his integrity: his children are blessed after him. ⁸ A king that sits in the throne of judgment scatters away all evil with his eyes. ⁹ Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? ¹⁰ Various weights, and various measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD. ¹¹ Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. ¹² The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD has made even both of them. ¹³ Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread. ¹⁴ It is nil, it is nil, says the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasts. ¹⁵ There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. ¹⁶ Take his garment that is guarantor for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman. ¹⁷ Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel. ¹⁸ Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war. ¹⁹ He that goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flatters with his lips. ²⁰ Whoso curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. ²¹ An inheritance may be got hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed. ²² Say not you, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save you. ²³ Various weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good. ²⁴ Man's activities are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way? ²⁵ It is a snare to the man who devours that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry. ²⁶ A wise king scatters the wicked, and brings the wheel over them. ²⁷ The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly. ²⁸ Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne supported by mercy. ²⁹ The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head. ³⁰ The blueness of a wound cleanses away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.

The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turns it anywhere he will. ² Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD ponders the hearts. ³ To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. ⁴ An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin. ⁵ The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of everyone that is hasty only to lack. ⁶ The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed back and forth of them that seek death. ⁷ The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment. ⁸ The way of man is perverse and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right. ⁹ It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. ¹⁰ The soul of the wicked desires evil: his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. ¹¹ When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge. ¹² The righteous man wisely considers the house of the wicked: but God overthrows the wicked for their wickedness. ¹³ Whoso stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. ¹⁴ A gift in secret pacifies anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath. ¹⁵ It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. ¹⁶ The man that wanders out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead. ¹⁷ He that loves pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loves wine and oil shall not be rich. ¹⁸ The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright. ¹⁹ It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. ²⁰ There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spends it up. ²¹ He that follows after righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honor. ²² A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and casts down the strength of the confidence thereof. ²³ Whoso keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles. ²⁴ Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who deals in proud wrath. ²⁵ The desire of the slothful kills him; for his hands refuse to labor. ²⁶ He covets greedily all the day long: but the righteous gives and spares not. ²⁷ The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind? ²⁸ A false witness shall perish: but the man that hears speaks constantly. ²⁹ A wicked man hardens his face: but as for the upright, he directs his way. ³⁰ There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. ³¹ The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.

A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold. ² The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all. ³ A prudent man forsees the evil, and hides himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. ⁴ By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honor, and life. ⁵ Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse: he that does keep his soul shall be far from them. ⁶ Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. ⁷ The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. ⁸ He that plants iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail. ⁹ He that has a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he gives of his bread to the poor. ¹⁰ Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yes, strife and reproach shall cease. ¹¹ He that loves pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend. ¹² The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthrows the words of the transgressor. ¹³ The slothful man says, There is a lion outside, I shall be slain in the streets. ¹⁴ The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein. ¹⁵ Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. ¹⁶ He that oppresses the poor to increase his riches, and he that gives to the rich, shall surely come to lack.

Sayings of the Wise

¹⁷ Bow down your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart unto my knowledge. ¹⁸ For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; they shall likewise be fitted in your lips. ¹⁹ That your trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to you this day, even to you. ²⁰ Have not I written to you excellent things in counsels and knowledge, ²¹ That I might make you know the certainty of the words of truth; that you might answer the words of truth to them that send unto you? ²² Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: ²³ For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them. ²⁴ Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man you shall not go: ²⁵ Lest you learn his ways, and get a snare to your soul. ²⁶ Be not you one of them that shake hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. ²⁷ If you have nothing to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you? ²⁸ Remove not the ancient landmark, which your fathers have set. ²⁹ See you a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.

When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you: ² And put a knife to your throat, if you be a man given to appetite. ³ Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful food. ⁴ Labor not to be rich: cease from your own wisdom. ⁵ Will you set your eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. ⁶ Eat you not the bread of him that has an evil eye, neither desire you his dainty foods: ⁷ For as he thinks in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, says he to you; but his heart is not with you. ⁸ The morsel which you have eaten shall you vomit up, and lose your sweet words. ⁹ Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of your words. ¹⁰ Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless: ¹¹ For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with you. ¹² Apply your heart unto instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge. ¹³ Withhold not correction from the child: for if you beat him with the rod, he shall not die. ¹⁴ You shall beat him with the rod, and shall deliver his soul from hell. ¹⁵ My son, if your heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine. ¹⁶ Yes, my reins shall rejoice, when your lips speak right things. ¹⁷ Let not your heart envy sinners: but be you in the fear of the LORD all the day long. ¹⁸ For surely there is an end; and your expectation shall not be cut off. ¹⁹ Hear you, my son, and be wise, and guide your heart in the way. ²⁰ Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: ²¹ For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. ²² Listen unto your father that brings forth you, and despise not your mother when she is old. ²³ Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. ²⁴ The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that bring forths a wise child shall have joy of him. ²⁵ Your father and your mother shall be glad, and she that bare you shall rejoice. ²⁶ My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways. ²⁷ For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit. ²⁸ She also lies in wait as for a prey, and increases the transgressors among men. ²⁹ Who has woe? who has sorrow? who has contentions? who has babbling? who has wounds without cause? who has redness of eyes? ³⁰ They that stay long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. ³¹ Look not you upon the wine when it is red, when it gives his color in the cup, when it moves itself aright. ³² At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like an adder. ³³ your eyes shall behold strange women, and your heart shall utter perverse things. ³⁴ Yes, you shall be as he that lies down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lies upon the top of a mast. ³⁵ They have stricken me, shall you say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

Be not you envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. ² For their heart studies destruction, and their lips talk of mischief. ³ Through wisdom is an house built; and by understanding it is established: ⁴ And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. ⁵ A wise man is strong; yes, a man of knowledge increases strength. ⁶ For by wise counsel you shall make your war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety. ⁷ Wisdom is too high for a fool: he opens not his mouth in the gate. ⁸ He that devises to do evil shall be called a mischievous person. ⁹ The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men. ¹⁰ If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. ¹¹ If you forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; ¹² If you says, Behold, we knew it not; does not he that ponders the heart consider it? and he that keeps your soul, does not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works? ¹³ My son, eat you honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to your taste: ¹⁴ So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto your soul: when you have found it, then there shall be a reward, and your expectation shall not be cut off. ¹⁵ Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place: ¹⁶ For a just man falls seven times, and rises up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. ¹⁷ Rejoice not when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles: ¹⁸ Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. ¹⁹ Fret not yourself because of evil men, neither be you envious at the wicked: ²⁰ For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out. ²¹ My son, fear you the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: ²² For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knows the ruin of them both?

Sayings of the Wise Continued

²³ These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment. ²⁴ He that says unto the wicked, You are righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall detest him: ²⁵ But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them. ²⁶ Every man shall kiss his lips that gives a right answer. ²⁷ Prepare your work outside, and make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterwards build your house. ²⁸ Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause; and deceive not with your lips. ²⁹ Say not, I will do so to him as he has done to me: I will render to the man according to his work. ³⁰ I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; ³¹ And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. ³² Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. ³³ Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: ³⁴ So shall your poverty come as one that travels; and your lack as an armed man.

The proverbs of Solomon Proverbs 25-29

These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. ² It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter. ³ The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable. ⁴ Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer. ⁵ Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness. ⁶ Put not forth yourself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: ⁷ For better it is that it be said unto you, Come up here; than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince whom your eyes have seen. ⁸ Go not forth hastily to strive, lest you know not what to do in the end thereof, when your neighbor has put you to shame. ⁹ Debate your cause with your neighbor himself; and discover not a secret to another: ¹⁰ Lest he that hears it put you to shame, and your ill repute turn not away. ¹¹ A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. ¹² As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. ¹³ As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refreshes the soul of his masters. ¹⁴ Whoso boasts himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain. ¹⁵ By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bone. ¹⁶ Have you found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for you, lest you be filled therewith, and vomit it. ¹⁷ Withdraw your foot from your neighbor's house; lest he be weary of you, and so hate you. ¹⁸ A man that bears false witness against his neighbor is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. ¹⁹ Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. ²⁰ As he that takes away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon alkali, so is he that sings songs to an heavy heart. ²¹ If your enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: ²² For you shall heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward you. ²³ The north wind drives away rain: so does an angry countenance a backbiting tongue. ²⁴ It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house. ²⁵ As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. ²⁶ A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring. ²⁷ It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory. ²⁸ He that has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not suitable for a fool. ² As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. ³ A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the fool's back. ⁴ Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like unto him. ⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. ⁶ He that sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, and drinks damage. ⁷ The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. ⁸ As he that binds a stone in a sling, so is he that gives honor to a fool. ⁹ As a thorn goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouths of fools. ¹⁰ The great God that formed all things both rewards the fool, and rewards transgressors. ¹¹ As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly. ¹² See you a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him. ¹³ The slothful man says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. ¹⁴ As the door turns upon his hinges, so does the slothful upon his bed. ¹⁵ The slothful hides his hand in his bosom; it grieves him to bring it again to his mouth. ¹⁶ The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason. ¹⁷ He that passes by, and meddles with strife belonging not to him, is like one that takes a dog by the ears. ¹⁸ As a mad man who casts firebrands, arrows, and death, ¹⁹ So is the man that deceives his neighbor, and says, Am not I in sport? ²⁰ Where no wood is, there the fire goes out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases. ²¹ As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. ²² The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. ²³ Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross. ²⁴ He that hates dissembles with his lips, and lays up deceit within him; ²⁵ When he speaks fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. ²⁶ Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation. ²⁷ Whoso digs a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolls a stone, it will return upon him. ²⁸ A lying tongue hates those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Boast not yourself of tomorrow; for you know not what a day may bring forth. ² Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. ³ A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both. ⁴ Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? ⁵ Open rebuke is better than secret love. ⁶ Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. ⁷ The full soul loathes an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. ⁸ As a bird that wanders from her nest, so is a man that wanders from his place. ⁹ Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so does the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel. ¹⁰ your own friend, and your father's friend, forsake not; neither go into your brother's house in the day of your calamity: for better is a neighbor that is near than a brother far off. ¹¹ My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproaches me. ¹² A prudent man forsees the evil, and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished. ¹³ Take his garment that is guarantor for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman. ¹⁴ He that blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him. ¹⁵ A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. ¹⁶ Whosoever hides her hides the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which betrayed itself. ¹⁷ Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. ¹⁸ Whoso keeps the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waits on his master shall be honored. ¹⁹ As in water face answers to face, so the heart of man to man. ²⁰ Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied. ²¹ As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise. ²² Though you should bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him. ²³ Be you diligent to know the state of your flocks, and look well to your herds. ²⁴ For riches are not forever: and does the crown endure to every generation? ²⁵ The hay appears, and the tender grass shows itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered. ²⁶ The lambs are for your clothing, and the goats are the price of the field. ²⁷ And you shall have goats' milk enough for your food, for the food of your household, and for the maintenance for your maidens.

The wicked flee when no man pursues: but the righteous are bold as a lion. ² For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged. ³ A poor man that oppresses the poor is like a sweeping rain which left no food. ⁴ They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them. ⁵ Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things. ⁶ Better is the poor that walks in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. ⁷ Whoso keeps the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shames his father. ⁸ He that by interest and unjust gain increases his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor. ⁹ He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. ¹⁰ Whoso causes the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession. ¹¹ The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that has understanding searches him out. ¹² When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden. ¹³ He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy. ¹⁴ Happy is the man that fears always: but he that hardens his heart shall fall into mischief. ¹⁵ As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people. ¹⁶ The prince that wants understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hates covetousness shall prolong his days. ¹⁷ A man that does violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him. ¹⁸ Whoso walks uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once. ¹⁹ He that tills his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that follows after vain persons shall have poverty enough. ²⁰ A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that makes haste to be rich shall not be innocent. ²¹ To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress. ²² He that hastes to be rich has an evil eye, and considers not that poverty shall come upon him. ²³ He that rebukes a man afterwards shall find more favor than he that flatters with the tongue. ²⁴ Whoso robs his father or his mother, and says, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer. ²⁵ He that is of a proud heart stirs up strife: but he that puts his trust in the LORD shall be made fat. ²⁶ He that trusts in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walks wisely, he shall be delivered. ²⁷ He that gives unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hides his eyes shall have many a curse. ²⁸ When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.

He, that being often reproved hardens his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. ² When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked bears rule, the people mourn. ³ Whoso loves wisdom rejoices his father: but he that keeps company with harlots spends his substance. ⁴ The king by judgment establishes the land: but he that receives gifts overthrows it. ⁵ A man that flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet. ⁶ In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous does sing and rejoice. ⁷ The righteous considers the cause of the poor: but the wicked regards not to know it. ⁸ Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath. ⁹ If a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest. ¹⁰ The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul. ¹¹ A fool utters all his mind: but a wise man keeps it in till afterwards. ¹² If a ruler listen to lies, all his servants are wicked. ¹³ The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lightens both their eyes. ¹⁴ The king that faithfully judges the poor, his throne shall be established forever. ¹⁵ The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself brings his mother to shame. ¹⁶ When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases: but the righteous shall see their fall. ¹⁷ Correct your son, and he shall give you rest; yes, he shall give delight unto your soul. ¹⁸ Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he. ¹⁹ A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer. ²⁰ See you a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him. ²¹ He that delicately brings up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length. ²² An angry man stirs up strife, and a furious man abounds in transgression. ²³ A man's pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit. ²⁴ Whoso is partner with a thief hates his own soul: he hears cursing, and betrayed it not. ²⁵ The fear of man brings a snare: but whoso puts his trust in the LORD shall be safe. ²⁶ Many seek the ruler's favor; but every man's judgment comes from the LORD. ²⁷ An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.

A Compiled Collection of proverbs by Agur

The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spoke unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal, ² Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man. ³ I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy. ⁴ Who has ascended up into heaven, or descended? who has gathered the wind in his fists? who has bound the waters in a garment? who has established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if you can tell? ⁵ Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. ⁶ Add you not unto his words, lest he reprove you, and you be found a liar. ⁷ Two things have I required of you; deny me them not before I die: ⁸ Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: ⁹ Lest I be full, and deny you, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. ¹⁰ Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse you, and you be found guilty. ¹¹ There is a generation that curses their father, and does not bless their mother. ¹² There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness. ¹³ There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up. ¹⁴ There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men. ¹⁵ The horseleach has two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yes, four things say not, It is enough: ¹⁶ The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that says not, It is enough. ¹⁷ The eye that mocks at his father, and despises to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it. ¹⁸ There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yes, four which I know not: ¹⁹ The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid. ²⁰ Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eats, and wipes her mouth, and says, I have done no wickedness. ²¹ For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear: ²² For a servant when he reigns; and a fool when he is filled with food; ²³ For an abhorrent woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress. ²⁴ There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: ²⁵ The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer; ²⁶ The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; ²⁷ The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands; ²⁸ The spider takes hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces. ²⁹ There be three things which go well, yes, four are comely in going: ³⁰ A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turns not away for any; ³¹ A grayhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up. ³² If you have done foolishly in lifting up yourself, or if you have thought evil, lay your hand upon your mouth. ³³ Surely the churning of milk brings forth butter, and the wringing of the nose brings forth blood: so the forcing of wrath brings forth strife.

Writings of King Solomon Using the pseudonym King Lemuel [Devoted to God]

The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. ² What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? ³ Give not your strength unto women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings. ⁴ It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: ⁵ Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. ⁶ Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. ⁷ Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. ⁸ Open your mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. ⁹ Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. ¹⁰ Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. ¹¹ The heart of her husband does safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. ¹² She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. ¹³ She seeks wool, and flax, and works willingly with her hands. ¹⁴ She is like the merchants' ships; she brings her food from far. ¹⁵ She rises also while it is yet night, and gives food to her household, and a portion to her maidens. ¹⁶ She considers a field, and buys it: with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. ¹⁷ She girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms. ¹⁸ She perceives that her merchandise is good: her candle goes not out by night. ¹⁹ She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. ²⁰ She stretches out her hand to the poor; yes, she reachs forth her hands to the needy. ²¹ She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. ²² She makes herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. ²³ Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. ²⁴ She makes fine linen, and sells it; and delivers girdles unto the merchant. ²⁵ Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. ²⁶ She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. ²⁷ She looks well to the ways of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness. ²⁸ Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. ²⁹ Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all. ³⁰ Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the LORD, she shall be praised. ³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

OR THE PREACHER

Everything is Ultimately Meaningless - if Eternity Does Not Exist

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. ² Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. ³ What profit has a man of all his labor which he takes under the sun? ⁴ One generation passes away, and another generation comes: but the earth abides forever. ⁵ The sun also arises, and the sun goes down, and hastes to his place where he arose. ⁶ The wind goes toward the south, and turns about unto the north; it whirls about continually, and the wind returns again according to his circuits. ⁷ All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. ⁸ All things are full of labor; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. ⁹ The thing that has been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. ¹⁰ Is there anything whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it has been already of old time, which was before us. ¹¹ There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.

Solomon's Own Experience Wisdom Is Ultimately Meaningless - If Eternity does not Exist

¹² I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem. ¹³ And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail has God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. ¹⁴ I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. ¹⁵ That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is lacking cannot be numbered. ¹⁶ I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have got more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yes, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. ¹⁷ And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. ¹⁸ For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increases knowledge increases sorrow.

Momentary Pleasures Are Meaningless If an Eternal Memory does not Exist

I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove you with delight, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity. ² I said of laughter, It is mad: and of delight, What does it? ³ I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life. ⁴ I made me great works; I built me houses; I planted me vineyards: ⁵ I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits: ⁶ I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that brings forth trees: ⁷ I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me: ⁸ I gathered me also silver and gold, and the exclusive treasure of kings and of the provinces: I got me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts. ⁹ So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. ¹⁰ And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labor: and this was my portion of all my labor. ¹¹ Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

Wisdom and Folly Are Meaningless - If Eternity does not Exist

¹² And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that comes after the king? even that which has been already done. ¹³ Then I saw that wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness. ¹⁴ The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walks in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happens to them all. ¹⁵ Then said I in my heart, As it happens to the fool, so it happens even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity. ¹⁶ For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool forever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dies the wise man? as the fool.

Work Is Meaningless - If Eternity does not Exist

¹⁷ Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit. ¹⁸ Yes, I hated all my labor which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. ¹⁹ And who knows whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labor wherein I have labored, and wherein I have showed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity. ²⁰ Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labor which I took under the sun. ²¹ For there is a man whose labor is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that has not labored therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil. ²² For what has man of all his labor, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he has labored under the sun? ²³ For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yes, his heart takes not rest in the night. This is also vanity. ²⁴ There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. ²⁵ For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I? ²⁶ For God gives to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he gives travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

A Proper Time for Everything

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: ² A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; ³ A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; ⁴ A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; ⁵ A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; ⁶ A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; ⁷ A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; ⁸ A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. ⁹ What profit has he that works in that wherein he labors? ¹⁰ I have seen the travail, which God has given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. ¹¹ He has made everything beautiful in his time: also he has set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God makes from the beginning to the end. ¹² I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. ¹³ And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God. ¹⁴ I know that, whatsoever God does, it shall be forever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it: and God does it, that men should fear before him. ¹⁵ That which has been is now; and that which is to be has already been; and God requires that which is past. ¹⁶ And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. ¹⁷ I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. ¹⁸ I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. ¹⁹ For that which befalls the sons of men befalls beasts; even one thing befalls them: as the one dies, so dies the other; yes, they have all one breath; so that a man has no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. ²⁰ All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. ²¹ Who knows the spirit of man that goes upward, and the spirit of the beast that goes downward to the earth? ²² Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

Oppression, Toil, Friendlessness

So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. ² Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive. ³ Yes, better is he than either of them, which has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. ⁴ Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. ⁵ The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh. ⁶ Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit. ⁷ Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. ⁸ There is one alone, and there is not a second; yes, he has neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labor; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither says he, For whom do I labor, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yes, it is a sore travail. ⁹ Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. ¹⁰ For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falls; for he has not another to help him up. ¹¹ Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? ¹² And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Advancement Is Meaningless - If Eternity does not Exist

¹³ Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished. ¹⁴ For out of prison he comes to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becomes poor. ¹⁵ I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his position. ¹⁶ There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Stand in Awe of God - Because Eternity Does Exist

Keep your foot when you go to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. ² Be not rash with your mouth, and let not your heart be hasty to utter anything before God: for God is in heaven, and you upon earth: therefore let your words be few. ³ For a dream comes through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words. ⁴ When you vow a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he has no pleasure in fools: pay that which you have vowed. ⁵ Better is it that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay. ⁶ Suffer not your mouth to cause your flesh to sin; neither say you before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands? ⁷ For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also various vanities: but fear you God.

Riches Are Meaningless - If Eternity does not Exist

⁸ If you see the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regards; and there be higher than they. ⁹ Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field. ¹⁰ He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loves abundance with increase: this is also vanity. ¹¹ When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes? ¹² The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. ¹³ There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. ¹⁴ But those riches perish by evil travail: and he bring forths a son, and there is nothing in his hand. ¹⁵ As he came out of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labor, which he may carry away in his hand. ¹⁶ And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit has he that has labored for the wind? ¹⁷ All his days also he eats in darkness, and he has much sorrow and wrath with his sickness. ¹⁸ Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor that he takes under the sun all the days of his life, which God gives him: for it is his portion. ¹⁹ Every man also to whom God has given riches and wealth, and has given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God. ²⁰ For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answers him in the joy of his heart.

There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men: ² A man to whom God has given riches, wealth, and honor, so that he wants nothing for his soul of all that he desires, yet God gives him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eats it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease. ³ If a man brought forth an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he. ⁴ For he comes in with vanity, and departs in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness. ⁵ Moreover he has not seen the sun, nor known anything: this has more rest than the other. ⁶ Yes, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet has he seen no good: do not all go to one place? ⁷ All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled. ⁸ For what has the wise more than the fool? what has the poor, that knows to walk before the living? ⁹ Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit. ¹⁰ That which has been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he. ¹¹ Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better? ¹² For who knows what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spends as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

Comparing Man's Wisdom and Man's Folly

A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

Obey the King

² It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. ³ Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. ⁴ The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of delight. ⁵ It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. ⁶ For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity. ⁷ Surely oppression makes a wise man mad; and a gift destroys the heart. ⁸ Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

Life Seems Unfair - Because Temporarily it is Unfair In Eternity All Things Become Fair and Equal

⁹ Be not hasty in your spirit to be angry: for anger rests in the bosom of fools. ¹⁰ Say not you, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for you do not enquire wisely concerning this. ¹¹ Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun. ¹² For wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom gives life to them that have it. ¹³ Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he has made crooked? ¹⁴ In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also has set the one opposite to the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him. ¹⁵ All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongs his life in his wickedness. ¹⁶ Be not righteous over much; neither make yourself over wise: why should you destroy yourself ? ¹⁷ Be not over much wicked, neither be you foolish: why should you die before your time? ¹⁸ It is good that you should take hold of this; yes, also from this withdraw not your hand: for he that fears God shall come out of them all. ¹⁹ Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. ²⁰ For there is not a just man upon earth, that does good, and sins not. ²¹ Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest you hear your servant curse you: ²² For oftentimes also your own heart knows that you yourself likewise have cursed others. ²³ All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. ²⁴ That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out? ²⁵ I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness: ²⁶ And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. ²⁷ Behold, this have I found, says the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account: ²⁸ Which yet my soul seeks, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found. ²⁹ Lo, this only have I found, that God has made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

Who is as the wise man? and who knows the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom makes his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. ² I counsel you to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. ³ Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he does whatsoever pleases him. ⁴ Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What do you? ⁵ Whoso keeps the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerns both time and judgment. ⁶ Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him. ⁷ For he knows not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be? ⁸ There is no man that has power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither has he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it. ⁹ All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man rules over another to his own hurt. ¹⁰ And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity. ¹¹ Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. ¹² Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: ¹³ But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he fears not before God. ¹⁴ There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happens according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity. ¹⁵ Then I commended delight, because a man has no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labor the days of his life, which God gives him under the sun. ¹⁶ When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: for also there is that neither day nor night sees sleep with his eyes: ¹⁷ Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labor to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yes farther; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.

Physical Death is a Common Destiny for All

For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knows either love or hatred by all that is before them. ² All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrifices, and to him that sacrifices not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that swears, as he that fears an oath. ³ This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yes, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead. ⁴ In order to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. ⁵ For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. ⁶ Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun. ⁷ Go your way, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God now accepts your works. ⁸ Let your garments be always white; and let your head lack no ointment. ⁹ Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of the life of your vanity, which he has given you under the sun, all the days of your vanity: for that is your portion in this life, and in your labor which you take under the sun. ¹⁰ Whatsoever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, where you go. ¹¹ I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happens to them all. ¹² For man also knows not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly upon them.

Even Temporarily Wisdom is Still Better Than Folly (foolishness)

¹³ This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me: ¹⁴ There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: ¹⁵ Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. ¹⁶ Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. ¹⁷ The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that rules among fools. ¹⁸ Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroys much good.

Life does have a way of making things equal

Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor: so does a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor. ² A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. ³ Yes also, when he that is a fool walks by the way, his wisdom fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool. ⁴ If the spirit of the ruler rise up against you, leave not your place; for yielding pacifies great offences. ⁵ There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceeds from the ruler: ⁶ Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. ⁷ I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth. ⁸ He that digs a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaks an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. ⁹ Whoso removes stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaves wood shall be endangered thereby. ¹⁰ If the iron be blunt, and he do not sharpen the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct. ¹¹ Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better. ¹² The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. ¹³ The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. ¹⁴ A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him? ¹⁵ The labor of the foolish wearies everyone of them, because he knows not how to go to the city. ¹⁶ Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning! ¹⁷ Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! ¹⁸ By much slothfulness the building decays; and through idleness of the hands the house drops through. ¹⁹ A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry: but money answers all things. ²⁰ Curse not the king, no not in your thought; and curse not the rich in your bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which has wings shall tell the matter.

Cast your bread upon the waters: for you shall find it after many days. ² Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for you know not what evil shall be upon the earth. ³ If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it shall be. ⁴ He that observes the wind shall not plant; and he that regards the clouds shall not reap. ⁵ As you know not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so you know not the works of God who makes all. ⁶ In the morning plant your seed, and in the evening withhold not your hand: for you know not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. ⁷ Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun: ⁸ But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that comes is vanity. ⁹ Rejoice, O young man, in your youth; and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth, and walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes: but know you, that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. ¹⁰ Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.

Remember God the Creator While Still Young - Because Eternity Does Exist

Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when you shall say, I have no pleasure in them; ² While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain: ³ In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened, ⁴ And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low; ⁵ Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets: ⁶ Before even the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. ⁷ Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. ⁸ Vanity of vanities, says the preacher; all is vanity.

The Conclusion of the Matter - God and Eternity Exist

⁹ And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. ¹⁰ The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. ¹¹ The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. ¹² And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. ¹³ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. ¹⁴ For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

THE

Introduction

The song of songs, which is Solomon's.

First Song

² Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for your love is better than wine. ³ Because of the savor of your good ointments your name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love you. ⁴ Draw me, we will run after you: the king has brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in you, we will remember your love more than wine: the upright love you. ⁵ I am black, but comely, O all of you daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. ⁶ Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun has looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept. ⁷ Tell me, O you whom my soul loves, where you feed, where you make your flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turns aside by the flocks of your companions?

Second Song

⁸ If you know not, O you fairest among women, go your way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed your kids beside the shepherds' tents. ⁹ I have compared you, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots. ¹⁰ Your cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, your neck with chains of gold. ¹¹ We will make you borders of gold with studs of silver. ¹² While the king sits at his table, my spikenard sends forth the smell thereof. ¹³ A bundle of myrrh is my well-beloved unto me; he shall lie all night between my breasts. ¹⁴ My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of En-gedi. ¹⁵ Behold, you are fair, my love; behold, you are fair; you have doves' eyes. ¹⁶ Behold, you are fair, my beloved, yes, pleasant: also our bed is green. ¹⁷ The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir.

I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. ² As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. ³ As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. ⁴ He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. ⁵ Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love. ⁶ His left hand is under my head, and his right hand does embrace me. ⁷ I charge you, O all of you daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that all of you stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please. ⁸ The voice of my beloved! behold, he comes leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills. ⁹ My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he stands behind our wall, he looks forth at the windows, showing himself through the lattice. ¹⁰ My beloved spoke, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. ¹¹ For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; ¹² The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds has come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; ¹³ The fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. ¹⁴ O my dove, that are in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see your countenance, let me hear your voice; for sweet is your voice, and your countenance is comely. ¹⁵ Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes. ¹⁶ My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feeds among the lilies. ¹⁷ Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be you like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.

By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loves: I sought him, but I found him not. ² I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loves: I sought him, but I found him not. ³ The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said, Saw all of you him whom my soul loves? ⁴ It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loves: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me. ⁵ I charge you, O all of you daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that all of you stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.

Third Song

⁶ Who is this that comes out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant? ⁷ Behold his bed, which is Solomon's; threescore valiant men are about it, of the valiant of Israel. ⁸ They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man has his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night. ⁹ King Solomon made himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon. ¹⁰ He made the pillars thereof of silver, the bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple, the midst thereof being paved with love, for the daughters of Jerusalem. ¹¹ Go forth, O all of you daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart.

Behold, you are fair, my love; behold, you are fair; you have doves' eyes within your locks: your hair is as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead. ² Your teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which came up from the washing; whereof everyone bear twins, and none is barren among them. ³ Your lips are like a thread of scarlet, and your speech is comely: your temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within your locks. ⁴ Your neck is like the tower of David built for an armory, whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men. ⁵ Your two breasts are like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies. ⁶ Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense. ⁷ You are all fair, my love; there is no spot in you. ⁸ Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions' dens, from the mountains of the leopards. ⁹ You have ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse; you have ravished my heart with one of your eyes, with one chain of your neck. ¹⁰ How fair is your love, my sister, my spouse! how much better is your love than wine! and the smell of your ointments than all spices! ¹¹ Your lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under your tongue; and the smell of your garments is like the smell of Lebanon. ¹² A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. ¹³ Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard, ¹⁴ Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices: ¹⁵ A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon. ¹⁶ Awake, O north wind; and come, you south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.

I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yes, drink abundantly, O beloved.

Fourth Song

² I sleep, but my heart wakes: it is the voice of my beloved that knocks, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night. ³ I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them? ⁴ My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him. ⁵ I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock. ⁶ I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spoke: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer. ⁷ The watchmen that went about the city found me, they stroke me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me. ⁸ I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if all of you find my beloved, that all of you tell him, that I am sick of love. ⁹ What is your beloved more than another beloved, O you fairest among women? what is your beloved more than another beloved, that you do so charge us? ¹⁰ My beloved is white and rosy, the chiefest among ten thousand. ¹¹ His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven. ¹² His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set. ¹³ His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh. ¹⁴ His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires. ¹⁵ His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. ¹⁶ His mouth is most sweet: yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.

Where is your beloved gone, O you fairest among women? where is your beloved turned aside? that we may seek him with you. ² My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies. ³ I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine: he feeds among the lilies.

Fifth Song

⁴ You are beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as an army with banners. ⁵ Turn away your eyes from me, for they have overcome me: your hair is as a flock of goats that appear from Gilead. ⁶ Your teeth are as a flock of sheep which go up from the washing, whereof everyone bears twins, and there is not one barren among them. ⁷ As a piece of a pomegranate are your temples within your locks. ⁸ There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number. ⁹ My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yes, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her. ¹⁰ Who is she that looks forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners? ¹¹ I went down into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley, and to see whether the vine flourished and the pomegranates budded. ¹² Before even I was aware, my soul made me like the chariots of Amminadib. ¹³ Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may look upon you. What will all of you see in the Shulamite? As it were the company of two armies.

How beautiful are your feet with shoes, O prince's daughter! the joints of your thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of a cunning workman. ² Your navel is like a round goblet, which wants not liquor: your belly is like an heap of wheat set about with lilies. ³ Your two breasts are like two young roes that are twins. ⁴ Your neck is as a tower of ivory; your eyes like the pool in Heshbon, by the gate of Bath-rabbim: your nose is as the tower of Lebanon which looks toward Damascus. ⁵ your head upon you is like Carmel, and the hair of your head like purple; the king is held in the galleries. ⁶ How fair and how pleasant are you, O love, for delights! ⁷ This your stature is like to a palm tree, and your breasts to clusters of grapes. ⁸ I said, I will go up to the palm tree, I will take hold of the boughs thereof: now also your breasts shall be as clusters of the vine, and the smell of your nose like apples; ⁹ And the roof of your mouth like the best wine for my beloved, that goes down sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak. ¹⁰ I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me. ¹¹ Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field; let us lodge in the villages. ¹² Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give you my loves. ¹³ The mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for you, O my beloved.

O that you were as my brother, that sucked the breasts of my mother! when I should find you outside, I would kiss you; yes, I should not be despised. ² I would lead you, and bring you into my mother's house, who would instruct me: I would cause you to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate. ³ His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me. ⁴ I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that all of you stir not up, nor awake my love, until he please.

Sixth Song

⁵ Who is this that comes up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I raised you up under the apple tree: there your mother brought you forth: there she brought you forth that bare you. ⁶ Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which has a most vehement flame. ⁷ Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned. ⁸ We have a little sister, and she has no breasts: what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for? ⁹ If she be a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver: and if she be a door, we will enclose her with boards of cedar. ¹⁰ I am a wall, and my breasts like towers: then was I in his eyes as one that found favor. ¹¹ Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon; he let out the vineyard unto keepers; everyone for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver. ¹² My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: you, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred. ¹³ You that dwell in the gardens, the companions listen to your voice: cause me to hear it. ¹⁴ Make haste, my beloved, and be you like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices.