The World English Bible (WEB) Part 52

Psalm 45

For the Chief Musician. Set to "The Lilies." A contemplation by the sons of Korah. A wedding song.

45:1 My heart overflows with a n.o.ble theme. I recite my verses for the king. My tongue is like the pen of a skillful writer. 45:2 You are the most excellent of the sons of men. Grace has anointed your lips, therefore G.o.d has blessed you forever. 45:3 Gird your sword on your thigh, mighty one: your splendor and your majesty. 45:4 In your majesty ride on victoriously on behalf of truth, humility, and righteousness.

Let your right hand display awesome deeds. 45:5 Your arrows are sharp.

The nations fall under you, with arrows in the heart of the king's enemies. 45:6 Your throne, G.o.d, is forever and ever. A scepter of equity is the scepter of your kingdom. 45:7 You have loved righteousness, and hated wickedness. Therefore G.o.d, your G.o.d, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows. 45:8 All your garments smell like myrrh, aloes, and ca.s.sia. Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made you glad. 45:9 Kings' daughters are among your honorable women. At your right hand the queen stands in gold of Ophir. 45:10 Listen, daughter, consider, and turn your ear. Forget your own people, and also your father's house. 45:11 So the king will desire your beauty, honor him, for he is your lord. 45:12 The daughter of Tyre comes with a gift. The rich among the people entreat your favor. 45:13 The princess inside is all glorious. Her clothing is interwoven with gold. 45:14 She shall be led to the king in embroidered work. The virgins, her companions who follow her, shall be brought to you. 45:15 With gladness and rejoicing they shall be led. They shall enter into the king's palace. 45:16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers. You shall make them princes in all the earth. 45:17 I will make your name to be remembered in all generations. Therefore the peoples shall give you thanks forever and ever.

Psalm 46

For the Chief Musician. By the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth.

46:1 G.o.d is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

46:2 Therefore we won't be afraid, though the earth changes, though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas; 46:3 though its waters roar and are troubled, though the mountains tremble with their swelling.

Selah. 46:4 There is a river, the streams of which make the city of G.o.d glad, the holy place of the tents of the Most High. 46:5 G.o.d is in her midst. She shall not be moved. G.o.d will help her at dawn. 46:6 The nations raged. The kingdoms were moved. He lifted his voice, and the earth melted. 46:7 Yahweh of Armies is with us. The G.o.d of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 46:8 Come, see Yahweh's works, what desolations he has made in the earth. 46:9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear. He burns the chariots in the fire. 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am G.o.d. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth." 46:11 Yahweh of Armies is with us. The G.o.d of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Psalm 47

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by the sons of Korah.

47:1 Oh clap your hands, all you nations. Shout to G.o.d with the voice of triumph! 47:2 For Yahweh Most High is awesome. He is a great King over all the earth. 47:3 He subdues nations under us, and peoples under our feet. 47:4 He chooses our inheritance for us, the glory of Jacob whom he loved. Selah. 47:5 G.o.d has gone up with a shout, Yahweh with the sound of a trumpet. 47:6 Sing praise to G.o.d, sing praises. Sing praises to our King, sing praises. 47:7 For G.o.d is the King of all the earth. Sing praises with understanding. 47:8 G.o.d reigns over the nations. G.o.d sits on his holy throne. 47:9 The princes of the peoples are gathered together, the people of the G.o.d of Abraham. For the s.h.i.+elds of the earth belong to G.o.d. He is greatly exalted!

Psalm 48

A Song. A Psalm by the sons of Korah.

48:1 Great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised, in the city of our G.o.d, in his holy mountain. 48:2 Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, on the north sides, the city of the great King.

48:3 G.o.d has shown himself in her citadels as a refuge. 48:4 For, behold, the kings a.s.sembled themselves, they pa.s.sed by together. 48:5 They saw it, then they were amazed. They were dismayed. They hurried away. 48:6 Trembling took hold of them there, pain, as of a woman in travail. 48:7 With the east wind, you break the s.h.i.+ps of Tars.h.i.+sh. 48:8 As we have heard, so we have seen, in the city of Yahweh of Armies, in the city of our G.o.d. G.o.d will establish it forever. Selah. 48:9 We have thought about your loving kindness, G.o.d, in the midst of your temple.

48:10 As is your name, G.o.d, so is your praise to the ends of the earth.

Your right hand is full of righteousness. 48:11 Let Mount Zion be glad!

Let the daughters of Judah rejoice, Because of your judgments. 48:12 Walk about Zion, and go around her. Number its towers. 48:13 Mark well her bulwarks. Consider her palaces, that you may tell it to the next generation. 48:14 For this G.o.d is our G.o.d forever and ever. He will be our guide even to death.

Psalm 49

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by the sons of Korah.

49:1 Hear this, all you peoples. Listen, all you inhabitants of the world, 49:2 both low and high, rich and poor together. 49:3 My mouth will speak words of wisdom. My heart shall utter understanding. 49:4 I will incline my ear to a proverb. I will open my riddle on the harp.

49:5 Why should I fear in the days of evil, when iniquity at my heels surrounds me? 49:6 Those who trust in their wealth, and boast in the mult.i.tude of their riches--49:7 none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give G.o.d a ransom for him. 49:8 For the redemption of their life is costly, no payment is ever enough, 49:9 That he should live on forever, that he should not see corruption. 49:10 For he sees that wise men die; likewise the fool and the senseless perish, and leave their wealth to others. 49:11 Their inward thought is that their houses will endure forever, and their dwelling places to all generations. They name their lands after themselves. 49:12 But man, despite his riches, doesn't endure. He is like the animals that perish. 49:13 This is the destiny of those who are foolish, and of those who approve their sayings. Selah.

49:14 They are appointed as a flock for Sheol. Death shall be their shepherd. The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning.

Their beauty shall decay in Sheol, far from their mansion. 49:15 But G.o.d will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me.

Selah. 49:16 Don't be afraid when a man is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased. 49:17 For when he dies he shall carry nothing away. His glory shall not descend after him. 49:18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul--and men praise you when you do well for yourself-- 49:19 he shall go to the generation of his fathers. They shall never see the light. 49:20 A man who has riches without understanding, is like the animals that perish.

Psalm 50

A Psalm by Asaph.

50:1 The Mighty One, G.o.d, Yahweh, speaks, and calls the earth from sunrise to sunset. 50:2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, G.o.d s.h.i.+nes forth. 50:3 Our G.o.d comes, and does not keep silent. A fire devours before him. It is very stormy around him. 50:4 He calls to the heavens above, to the earth, that he may judge his people: 50:5 "Gather my saints together to me, those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice." 50:6 The heavens shall declare his righteousness, for G.o.d himself is judge. Selah. 50:7 "Hear, my people, and I will speak; Israel, and I will testify against you. I am G.o.d, your G.o.d. 50:8 I don't rebuke you for your sacrifices. Your burnt offerings are continually before me. 50:9 I have no need for a bull from your stall, nor male goats from your pens. 50:10 For every animal of the forest is mine, and the livestock on a thousand hills. 50:11 I know all the birds of the mountains. The wild animals of the field are mine. 50:12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it. 50:13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?

50:14 Offer to G.o.d the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Pay your vows to the Most High. 50:15 Call on me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you, and you will honor me." 50:16 But to the wicked G.o.d says, "What right do you have to declare my statutes, that you have taken my covenant on your lips, 50:17 seeing you hate instruction, and throw my words behind you?

50:18 When you saw a thief, you consented with him, and have partic.i.p.ated with adulterers. 50:19 "You give your mouth to evil. Your tongue frames deceit. 50:20 You sit and speak against your brother. You slander your own mother's son. 50:21 You have done these things, and I kept silent. You thought that the I was just like you. I will rebuke you, and accuse you in front of your eyes. 50:22 "Now consider this, you who forget G.o.d, lest I tear you into pieces, and there be none to deliver. 50:23 Whoever offers the sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifies me, and prepares his way so that I will show G.o.d's salvation to him."

Psalm 51

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

51:1 Have mercy on me, G.o.d, according to your loving kindness. According to the mult.i.tude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.

51:2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity. Cleanse me from my sin. 51:3 For I know my transgressions. My sin is constantly before me. 51:4 Against you, and you only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight; that you may be proved right when you speak, and justified when you judge. 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity. In sin my mother conceived me. 51:6 Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts.

You teach me wisdom in the inmost place. 51:7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 51:8 Let me hear joy and gladness, That the bones which you have broken may rejoice.

51:9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all of my iniquities.

51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O G.o.d. Renew a right spirit within me.

51:11 Don't throw me from your presence, and don't take your holy Spirit from me. 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit. 51:13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways. Sinners shall be converted to you. 51:14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O G.o.d, the G.o.d of my salvation. My tongue shall sing aloud of your righteousness. 51:15 Lord, open my lips. My mouth shall declare your praise. 51:16 For you don't delight in sacrifice, or else I would give it. You have no pleasure in burnt offering. 51:17 The sacrifices of G.o.d are a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart, O G.o.d, you will not despise. 51:18 Do well in your good pleasure to Zion. Build the walls of Jerusalem. 51:19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, in burnt offerings and in whole burnt offerings. Then they will offer bulls on your altar.

Psalm 52

For the Chief Musician. A contemplation by David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, "David has come to Abimelech's house."

52:1 Why do you boast of mischief, mighty man? G.o.d's loving kindness endures continually. 52:2 Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. 52:3 You love evil more than good, lying rather than speaking the truth. Selah. 52:4 You love all devouring words, you deceitful tongue. 52:5 G.o.d will likewise destroy you forever.

He will take you up, and pluck you out of your tent, and root you out of the land of the living. Selah. 52:6 The righteous also will see it, and fear, and laugh at him, saying, 52:7 "Behold, this is the man who didn't make G.o.d his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness." 52:8 But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in G.o.d's house. I trust in G.o.d's loving kindness forever and ever. 52:9 I will give you thanks forever, because you have done it. I will hope in your name, for it is good, in the presence of your saints.

Psalm 53

For the Chief Musician. To the tune of "Mahalath." A contemplation by David.

53:1 The fool has said in his heart, "There is no G.o.d." They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity. There is no one who does good. 53:2 G.o.d looks down from heaven on the children of men, to see if there are any who understood, who seek after G.o.d. 53:3 Every one of them has gone back. They have become filthy together. There is no one who does good, no, not one. 53:4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and don't call on G.o.d? 53:5 There they were in great fear, where no fear was, for G.o.d has scattered the bones of him who encamps against you. You have put them to shame, because G.o.d has rejected them. 53:6 Oh that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When G.o.d brings back his people from captivity, then Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

Psalm 54

For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by David, when the Ziphites came and said to Saul, "Isn't David hiding himself among us?"

54:1 Save me, G.o.d, by your name. Vindicate me in your might. 54:2 Hear my prayer, G.o.d. Listen to the words of my mouth. 54:3 For strangers have risen up against me. Violent men have sought after my soul. They haven't set G.o.d before them. Selah. 54:4 Behold, G.o.d is my helper. The Lord is the one who sustains my soul. 54:5 He will repay the evil to my enemies.

Destroy them in your truth. 54:6 With a free will offering, I will sacrifice to you. I will give thanks to your name, Yahweh, for it is good. 54:7 For he has delivered me out of all trouble. My eye has seen triumph over my enemies.

Psalm 55

For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by David.

55:1 Listen to my prayer, G.o.d. Don't hide yourself from my supplication.

55:2 Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan, 55:3 Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked. For they bring suffering on me. In anger they hold a grudge against me. 55:4 My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me. 55:5 Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me. 55:6 I said, "Oh that I had wings like a dove! Then I would fly away, and be at rest. 55:7 Behold, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness." Selah. 55:8 "I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and storm." 55:9 Confuse them, Lord, and confound their language, for I have seen violence and strife in the city. 55:10 Day and night they prowl around on its walls.

Malice and abuse are also within her. 55:11 Destructive forces are within her. Threats and lies don't depart from her streets. 55:12 For it was not an enemy who insulted me, then I could have endured it. Neither was it he who hated me who raised himself up against me, then I would have hid myself from him. 55:13 But it was you, a man like me, my companion, and my familiar friend. 55:14 We took sweet fellows.h.i.+p together. We walked in G.o.d's house with company. 55:15 Let death come suddenly on them. Let them go down alive into Sheol. For wickedness is in their dwelling, in the midst of them. 55:16 As for me, I will call on G.o.d. Yahweh will save me. 55:17 Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice. 55:18 He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, although there are many who oppose me. 55:19 G.o.d, who is enthroned forever, will hear, and answer them. Selah. They never change, who don't fear G.o.d. 55:20 He raises his hands against his friends. He has violated his covenant.

55:21 His mouth was smooth as b.u.t.ter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords. 55:22 Cast your burden on Yahweh, and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved. 55:23 But you, G.o.d, will bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, but I will trust in you.

Psalm 56

For the Chief Musician. To the tune of "Silent Dove in Distant Lands." A poem by David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.

56:1 Be merciful to me, G.o.d, for man wants to swallow me up. All day long, he attacks and oppresses me. 56:2 My enemies want to swallow me up all day long, for they are many who fight proudly against me. 56:3 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. 56:4 In G.o.d, I praise his word.

In G.o.d, I put my trust. I will not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

56:5 All day long they twist my words. All their thoughts are against me for evil. 56:6 They conspire and lurk, watching my steps, they are eager to take my life. 56:7 Shall they escape by iniquity? In anger cast down the peoples, G.o.d. 56:8 You number my wanderings. You put my tears into your bottle. Aren't they in your book? 56:9 Then my enemies shall turn back in the day that I call. I know this, that G.o.d is for me. 56:10 In G.o.d, I will praise his word. In Yahweh, I will praise his word. 56:11 I have put my trust in G.o.d. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

56:12 Your vows are on me, G.o.d. I will give thank offerings to you.

56:13 For you have delivered my soul from death, and prevented my feet from falling, that I may walk before G.o.d in the light of the living.