124:1 If it had not been Yahweh who was on our side, let Israel now say, 124:2 if it had not been Yahweh who was on our side, when men rose up against us; 124:3 then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their wrath was kindled against us; 124:4 then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul; 124:5 then the proud waters would have gone over our soul. 124:6 Blessed be Yahweh, who has not given us as a prey to their teeth. 124:7 Our soul has escaped like a bird out of the fowler"s snare. The snare is broken, and we have escaped. 124:8 Our help is in the name of Yahweh, who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 125
A Song of Ascents.
125:1 Those who trust in Yahweh are as Mount Zion, which can"t be moved, but remains forever. 125:2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so Yahweh surrounds his people from this time forth and forevermore. 125:3 For the scepter of wickedness won"t remain over the allotment of the righteous; so that the righteous won"t use their hands to do evil. 125:4 Do good, Yahweh, to those who are good, to those who are upright in their hearts. 125:5 But as for those who turn aside to their crooked ways, Yahweh will lead them away with the workers of iniquity. Peace be on Israel.
Psalm 126
A Song of Ascents.
126:1 When Yahweh brought back those who returned to Zion, we were like those who dream. 126:2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, "Yahweh has done great things for them." 126:3 Yahweh has done great things for us, and we are glad. 126:4 Restore our fortunes again, Yahweh, like the streams in the Negev. 126:5 Those who sow in tears will reap in joy. 126:6 He who goes out weeping, carrying seed for sowing, will certainly come again with joy, carrying his sheaves.
Psalm 127
A Song of Ascents. By Solomon.
127:1 Unless Yahweh builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.
Unless Yahweh watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain.
127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to stay up late, eating the bread of toil; for he gives sleep to his loved ones. 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage of Yahweh. The fruit of the womb is his reward.
127:4 As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth. 127:5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They won"t be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.
Psalm 128
A Song of Ascents.
128:1 Blessed is everyone who fears Yahweh, who walks in his ways. 128:2 For you will eat the labor of your hands. You will be happy, and it will be well with you. 128:3 Your wife will be as a fruitful vine, in the innermost parts of your house; your children like olive plants, around your table. 128:4 Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears Yahweh.
128:5 May Yahweh bless you out of Zion, and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life. 128:6 Yes, may you see your children"s children. Peace be upon Israel.
Psalm 129
A Song of Ascents.
129:1 Many times they have afflicted me from my youth up. Let Israel now say, 129:2 many times they have afflicted me from my youth up, yet they have not prevailed against me. 129:3 The plowers plowed on my back. They made their furrows long. 129:4 Yahweh is righteous. He has cut apart the cords of the wicked. 129:5 Let them be disappointed and turned backward, all those who hate Zion. 129:6 Let them be as the gra.s.s on the housetops, which withers before it grows up; 129:7 with which the reaper doesn"t fill his hand, nor he who binds sheaves, his bosom. 129:8 Neither do those who go by say, "The blessing of Yahweh be on you. We bless you in the name of Yahweh."
Psalm 130
A Song of Ascents.
130:1 Out of the depths I have cried to you, Yahweh. 130:2 Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pet.i.tions. 130:3 If you, Yah, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? 130:4 But there is forgiveness with you, therefore you are feared. 130:5 I wait for Yahweh. My soul waits. I hope in his word. 130:6 My soul longs for the Lord more than watchmen long for the morning; more than watchmen for the morning. 130:7 Israel, hope in Yahweh, for with Yahweh there is loving kindness. With him is abundant redemption. 130:8 He will redeem Israel from all their sins.
Psalm 131
A Song of Ascents. By David.
131:1 Yahweh, my heart isn"t haughty, nor my eyes lofty; nor do I concern myself with great matters, or things too wonderful for me. 131:2 Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. 131:3 Israel, hope in Yahweh, from this time forth and forevermore.
Psalm 132
A Song of Ascents.
132:1 Yahweh, remember David and all his affliction, 132:2 how he swore to Yahweh, and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob: 132:3 "Surely I will not come into the structure of my house, nor go up into my bed; 132:4 I will not give sleep to my eyes, or slumber to my eyelids; 132:5 until I find out a place for Yahweh, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob."
132:6 Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah. We found it in the field of Jaar: 132:7 "We will go into his dwelling place. We will worship at his footstool. 132:8 Arise, Yahweh, into your resting place; you, and the ark of your strength. 132:9 Let your priest be clothed with righteousness. Let your saints shout for joy!" 132:10 For your servant David"s sake, don"t turn away the face of your anointed one. 132:11 Yahweh has sworn to David in truth. He will not turn from it: "I will set the fruit of your body on your throne. 132:12 If your children will keep my covenant, my testimony that I will teach them, their children also will sit on your throne forevermore." 132:13 For Yahweh has chosen Zion. He has desired it for his habitation. 132:14 "This is my resting place forever. Here I will live, for I have desired it. 132:15 I will abundantly bless her provision. I will satisfy her poor with bread.
132:16 Her priests I will also clothe with salvation. Her saints will shout aloud for joy. 132:17 There I will make the horn of David to bud.
I have ordained a lamp for my anointed. 132:18 I will clothe his enemies with shame, but on himself, his crown will be resplendent."
Psalm 133
A Song of Ascents. By David.
133:1 See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity! 133:2 It is like the precious oil on the head, that ran down on the beard, even Aaron"s beard; that came down on the edge of his robes; 133:3 like the dew of Hermon, that comes down on the hills of Zion: for there Yahweh gives the blessing, even life forevermore.
Psalm 134
A Song of Ascents.
134:1 Look! Praise Yahweh, all you servants of Yahweh, who stand by night in Yahweh"s house! 134:2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary.
Praise Yahweh! 134:3 May Yahweh bless you from Zion; even he who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 135
135:1 Praise Yah! Praise the name of Yahweh! Praise him, you servants of Yahweh, 135:2 you who stand in the house of Yahweh, in the courts of our G.o.d"s house. 135:3 Praise Yah, for Yahweh is good. Sing praises to his name, for that is pleasant. 135:4 For Yah has chosen Jacob for himself; Israel for his own possession. 135:5 For I know that Yahweh is great, that our Lord is above all G.o.ds. 135:6 Whatever Yahweh pleased, that he has done, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps; 135:7 who causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth; who makes lightnings with the rain; who brings forth the wind out of his treasuries; 135:8 Who struck the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and animal; 135:9 Who sent signs and wonders into the midst of you, Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his servants; 135:10 who struck many nations, and killed mighty kings, 135:11 Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan, 135:12 and gave their land for a heritage, a heritage to Israel, his people. 135:13 Your name, Yahweh, endures forever; your renown, Yahweh, throughout all generations. 135:14 For Yahweh will judge his people, and have compa.s.sion on his servants.
135:15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men"s hands. 135:16 They have mouths, but they can"t speak. They have eyes, but they can"t see. 135:17 They have ears, but they can"t hear; neither is there any breath in their mouths. 135:18 Those who make them will be like them; yes, everyone who trusts in them. 135:19 House of Israel, praise Yahweh! House of Aaron, praise Yahweh! 135:20 House of Levi, praise Yahweh! You who fear Yahweh, praise Yahweh! 135:21 Blessed be Yahweh from Zion, Who dwells at Jerusalem. Praise Yah!
Psalm 136
136:1 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good; for his loving kindness endures forever. 136:2 Give thanks to the G.o.d of G.o.ds; for his loving kindness endures forever. 136:3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords; for his loving kindness endures forever: 136:4 To him who alone does great wonders; for his loving kindness endures forever: 136:5 To him who by understanding made the heavens; for his loving kindness endures forever: 136:6 To him who spread out the earth above the waters; for his loving kindness endures forever: 136:7 To him who made the great lights; for his loving kindness endures forever: 136:8 The sun to rule by day; for his loving kindness endures forever; 136:9 The moon and stars to rule by night; for his loving kindness endures forever: 136:10 To him who struck down the Egyptian firstborn; for his loving kindness endures forever; 136:11 And brought out Israel from among them; for his loving kindness endures forever; 136:12 With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm; for his loving kindness endures forever: 136:13 To him who divided the Red Sea apart; for his loving kindness endures forever; 136:14 And made Israel to pa.s.s through its midst; for his loving kindness endures forever; 136:15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea; for his loving kindness endures forever: 136:16 To him who led his people through the wilderness; for his loving kindness endures forever: 136:17 To him who struck great kings; for his loving kindness endures forever; 136:18 And killed mighty kings; for his loving kindness endures forever: 136:19 Sihon king of the Amorites; for his loving kindness endures forever; 136:20 Og king of Bashan; for his loving kindness endures forever; 136:21 And gave their land as an inheritance; for his loving kindness endures forever; 136:22 Even a heritage to Israel his servant; for his loving kindness endures forever: 136:23 Who remembered us in our low estate; for his loving kindness endures forever; 136:24 And has delivered us from our adversaries; for his loving kindness endures forever: 136:25 Who gives food to every creature; for his loving kindness endures forever. 136:26 Oh give thanks to the G.o.d of heaven; for his loving kindness endures forever.
Psalm 137
137:1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down. Yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion. 137:2 On the willows in its midst, we hung up our harps. 137:3 For there, those who led us captive asked us for songs.
Those who tormented us demanded songs of joy: "Sing us one of the songs of Zion!" 137:4 How can we sing Yahweh"s song in a foreign land? 137:5 If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill. 137:6 Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I don"t remember you; if I don"t prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy. 137:7 Remember, Yahweh, against the children of Edom, the day of Jerusalem; who said, "Raze it!
Raze it even to its foundation!" 137:8 Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, he will be happy who rewards you, as you have served us.
137:9 Happy shall he be, who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock.
Psalm 138
By David.
138:1 I will give you thanks with my whole heart. Before the G.o.ds, I will sing praises to you. 138:2 I will bow down toward your holy temple, and give thanks to your Name for your loving kindness and for your truth; for you have exalted your Name and your Word above all. 138:3 In the day that I called, you answered me. You encouraged me with strength in my soul. 138:4 All the kings of the earth will give you thanks, Yahweh, for they have heard the words of your mouth. 138:5 Yes, they will sing of the ways of Yahweh; for great is Yahweh"s glory. 138:6 For though Yahweh is high, yet he looks after the lowly; but the proud, he knows from afar. 138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you will revive me. You will stretch forth your hand against the wrath of my enemies. Your right hand will save me. 138:8 Yahweh will fulfill that which concerns me; your loving kindness, Yahweh, endures forever. Don"t forsake the works of your own hands.
Psalm 139
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.
139:1 Yahweh, you have searched me, and you know me. 139:2 You know my sitting down and my rising up. You perceive my thoughts from afar. 139:3 You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. 139:4 For there is not a word on my tongue, but, behold, Yahweh, you know it altogether. 139:5 You hem me in behind and before. You laid your hand on me. 139:6 This knowledge is beyond me. It"s lofty. I can"t attain it. 139:7 Where could I go from your Spirit? Or where could I flee from your presence? 139:8 If I ascend up into heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, you are there! 139:9 If I take the wings of the dawn, and settle in the uttermost parts of the sea; 139:10 Even there your hand will lead me, and your right hand will hold me. 139:11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will overwhelm me; the light around me will be night;" 139:12 even the darkness doesn"t hide from you, but the night shines as the day. The darkness is like light to you.
139:13 For you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother"s womb. 139:14 I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well. 139:15 My frame wasn"t hidden from you, when I was made in secret, woven together in the depths of the earth. 139:16 Your eyes saw my body.
In your book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there were none of them. 139:17 How precious to me are your thoughts, G.o.d! How vast is the sum of them! 139:18 If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand. When I wake up, I am still with you. 139:19 If only you, G.o.d, would kill the wicked. Get away from me, you bloodthirsty men! 139:20 For they speak against you wickedly.