1 Hear me, O LORD, I pray my needs are sufficient for your attention; I cry out to You. Please hear my prayer—I will do my best to make sure what I say is the truth.
2 Let my path be selected by You for Your eyes see what is best for me.3 Though you know the contents of my heart, though You always see right through me, I hope You will agree that I have not done evil intentionally; and that I have not told unnecessary lies. 4 Even though people tried to bribe me, I have kept myself true to the course You have set, and obedient to the words You have commanded. 5 I continue to do my best to walk in Your way; even in my stumbling I hold to Your path. 6 Again I cry out to You, my God, for You will answer me; please listen to me and hear this prayer.
7 I long for the wonders of Your love, You who with Your mighty hand save anyone who takes refuge in You. 8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye; keep me in the shadow of Your outspread wings 9 so as to hide me from the those who stand against me, from the enemies who prevent me from doing Your great work.
10 They close up their hardened hearts and withered minds, and their words show that they think their ways are better than Yours. 11 They hound me, and now surround me, with evil eyes alert, to throw me to the ground. 12 I am like a little lamb to their hungry lion. Without You I will be hunted down and killed.
13 Defend me O LORD, stand between me and them, stop them even as the mighty hunter stops the wild lion. 14 By Your hand save the lamb from the lion, LORD, for they see only this life as a reward unto itself, they do not know of Your bigger picture. Give them what You feel you must to stop them. Whatever that is, fill them up completely, and save some for any others who still stand in Your way.
15 When this is done, those looking on will see that I still walk in Your ways, and still seek Your face; when I awake, I will be delighted to see Your glory.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Falling behind
Sorry, I've been falling behind. I am moving back to my attempt at getting a new Psalm up every Monday. Soon...
Monday, November 1, 2010
Psalm 16
A miktam of David.
[It is interesting to note that after three-odd millennia, it is still unknown exactly what "miktam" means. The general conclusion is that it is some sort of musical term, but that's about it. I guess the real message is that this Psalm, like most others, is meant for chanting or singing. -DRW]
1 Keep me safe, my God, for in You I find my only refuge.
2 I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord, The Lord; apart from you there is nothing good.” 3 I say to the believing and behaving Christians across the earth, “You are the ones in whom I take joy.” 4 To those people looking to other gods, I fear for your suffering. I will not lend any credence to those gods, nor will I even mention their names.
5 LORD, You are the only source of my food, drink, and my very sustenance; You make my life livable. 6 Most of my life, good things have almost fallen in my lap; my delightful life will continue with Your help.
7 Praise the LORD, whose guidance I seek; in waking or sleep He touches my heart with instructions. 8 I will keep my heart in tune with the LORD. With His support nearby, I can stay on my life's path.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and I raise my voice in song; my body remains at peace,10 because You have rescued me from Hell, and You will not let me fall into decay.
11 Continue to make obvious my path of life; I look forward to the joy of being with You, to spend eternity in Your glory.
[It is interesting to note that after three-odd millennia, it is still unknown exactly what "miktam" means. The general conclusion is that it is some sort of musical term, but that's about it. I guess the real message is that this Psalm, like most others, is meant for chanting or singing. -DRW]
1 Keep me safe, my God, for in You I find my only refuge.
2 I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord, The Lord; apart from you there is nothing good.” 3 I say to the believing and behaving Christians across the earth, “You are the ones in whom I take joy.” 4 To those people looking to other gods, I fear for your suffering. I will not lend any credence to those gods, nor will I even mention their names.
5 LORD, You are the only source of my food, drink, and my very sustenance; You make my life livable. 6 Most of my life, good things have almost fallen in my lap; my delightful life will continue with Your help.
7 Praise the LORD, whose guidance I seek; in waking or sleep He touches my heart with instructions. 8 I will keep my heart in tune with the LORD. With His support nearby, I can stay on my life's path.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and I raise my voice in song; my body remains at peace,10 because You have rescued me from Hell, and You will not let me fall into decay.
11 Continue to make obvious my path of life; I look forward to the joy of being with You, to spend eternity in Your glory.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Psalm 15
1Lord, who will come to You in heaven? Who may live in that holy place?
2 The list is long: he must live a blameless life and he that always lives the Way of the Lord; he must always speaks Your truth, which resides in his heart 3 and he that does not speak wrong of his fellow man; and he that does right by his neighbor and does not slander; 4 and he that gives no honor to evil men, but shows his honor to those who fear the LORD; and he who lives by his oaths even when those oaths are not in his best interest; 5 and last: he who supports those in need and does not take bribes.
He who does all these things can not be shaken from You Lord, and will join You in heaven.
2 The list is long: he must live a blameless life and he that always lives the Way of the Lord; he must always speaks Your truth, which resides in his heart 3 and he that does not speak wrong of his fellow man; and he that does right by his neighbor and does not slander; 4 and he that gives no honor to evil men, but shows his honor to those who fear the LORD; and he who lives by his oaths even when those oaths are not in his best interest; 5 and last: he who supports those in need and does not take bribes.
He who does all these things can not be shaken from You Lord, and will join You in heaven.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Psalm 14
1 Sometimes I ask in my heart, "Is there a God?" Those who say "no" are corrupt, and their works useless; none of them do any good.
2 The LORD looks into my heart to see if I understand, to see if I seek Him. 3 Too often I have turned aside, I also become corrupt; I do no good, not the least bit. 4Will I ever learn? I who treat others like things to be consumed, and I who ignore You Lord? 5Here I am, overtaken with fear, fear for the God that is present among the righteous ones. 6The evil ones do not advance he cause of the poor, but the poor will always have the Lord. He will take care of them.
7Bring salvation to all people! When this happens, all will rejoice, in heaven and earth, for all time.
2 The LORD looks into my heart to see if I understand, to see if I seek Him. 3 Too often I have turned aside, I also become corrupt; I do no good, not the least bit. 4Will I ever learn? I who treat others like things to be consumed, and I who ignore You Lord? 5Here I am, overtaken with fear, fear for the God that is present among the righteous ones. 6The evil ones do not advance he cause of the poor, but the poor will always have the Lord. He will take care of them.
7Bring salvation to all people! When this happens, all will rejoice, in heaven and earth, for all time.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Psalm 13
[Note: This one is not changed much from the NIV version. In keeping with my original premise, I am putting this into words that mean to me what I am reading. Some of these verses are so clear and point directly into my heart already.]
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You continue to make me look for You? 2How long must I wrestle with myself and every day have more sorrow in my heart? How long will The Enemy triumph over me?
3I need to see Your face, and get an answer, O LORD my God. Show me the Light of Your glory, or this life will continue in slow death; 4The Enemy will laugh, saying "This one is mine!" and my earthly foes will celebrate my failure.
5But I trust in Your endless love; my heart rejoices in Your saving grace. 6I will sing to You O LORD, for You have been so good to me.
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You continue to make me look for You? 2How long must I wrestle with myself and every day have more sorrow in my heart? How long will The Enemy triumph over me?
3I need to see Your face, and get an answer, O LORD my God. Show me the Light of Your glory, or this life will continue in slow death; 4The Enemy will laugh, saying "This one is mine!" and my earthly foes will celebrate my failure.
5But I trust in Your endless love; my heart rejoices in Your saving grace. 6I will sing to You O LORD, for You have been so good to me.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Psalm 12
For the director of music. According to sheminith . A psalm of David.
1 Help me, O LORD, to find the faithful; they are almost invisible among my circle of friends. 2 People lie even to those that they should trust; their constant lies speak nothing but good about themselves.
3 LORD, remove the lips and tongues of those liars, the lips 4 that say, "We can win over the world with just our false words. Who can stop us? We are our own masters!"
5 "In answer to the treatment of the small and needy, I will make my strength known," says the LORD. "I will put forth my power protect the weak from those who assail them." 6 Hear these perfect words of The Lord! They are the purest silver, more refined than any works of man. 7 O LORD, we are weak, and we know You will protect us for all time. 8 Until all men honor You, O Lord, these deceivers will walk the earth in arrogance and pride.
1 Help me, O LORD, to find the faithful; they are almost invisible among my circle of friends. 2 People lie even to those that they should trust; their constant lies speak nothing but good about themselves.
3 LORD, remove the lips and tongues of those liars, the lips 4 that say, "We can win over the world with just our false words. Who can stop us? We are our own masters!"
5 "In answer to the treatment of the small and needy, I will make my strength known," says the LORD. "I will put forth my power protect the weak from those who assail them." 6 Hear these perfect words of The Lord! They are the purest silver, more refined than any works of man. 7 O LORD, we are weak, and we know You will protect us for all time. 8 Until all men honor You, O Lord, these deceivers will walk the earth in arrogance and pride.
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