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The Book of Psalms
The word "psalm" is from the Greek word that means instrumental music and
the words that go with the music. There are 150 psalms. Most of them were
written by David, but some were written by David's son, Solomon, Asaph,
and the Sons of Korah. The psalms cover times in David's life when he was happy,
afraid, sad, and thankful.
| Bible scholars feel that Psalm 11 was written by David. |
Psalm 11
God sees everything and punishes wicked people.
I trust the Lord. You tell me to run away like a bird flies away to the mountain. You tell me that the wicked people get their bows and arrows ready. They shoot at people who love God. You ask what the righteous people can do when their lives are being destroyed.
[1] In the LORD put I my trust: How say ye 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 privily shoot at the upright in heart.
[3] If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
God is in His holy temple. His throne is in heaven, and He sees everyone. He tests the righteous people. But He hates the violent people.
[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 trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
He will rain down fire, brimstone, and trouble
on the wicked people. He will send a terrible storm to them. They
will get what they deserve because God loves people who obey Him. He
always sees people who are behaving with obedience.
[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 loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the
upright.
This is a psalm by David. The Bible says it is a psalm for the music leader. |
Psalm 12
God will help the poor and needy people.Help, Lord, because the good and faithful people have stopped and failed.
[1] Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
God will cut off the lips and tongues of people who lie and brag. These people just tell lies and say things that are not right. They are not honest or sincere people. They have said that they can say whatever they want, and no one can control them.
[2] They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
[3] The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:
[4] Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
God says that He will arise. He will help the
poor and needy people. He says He will save them from the people who threaten
them.
[5] For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I
arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.
God's words are true and pure. They are like silver
that has been melted seven times and made pure in a furnace.
[6] The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth,
purified seven times.
You, O Lord, will protect the people. You will protect
them from the people who want to hurt them. You will save them from the
wicked people who walk on every side. Bad people brag about the wicked
people.
[7] Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation
for ever.
[8] The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.
| Bible scholars feel that this psalm was written by David. They feel he wrote it when his son, Absalom, was plotting against him. |
Psalm 13
Please help me, O Lord.
How long will you forget me, O Lord? Will it be forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
[1] How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
How long will I feel sad everyday? How long will my enemies succeed against 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?
Please listen to me, O Lord. Make my eyes lighter so that I don't die. Don't let me die. I don't want my enemies to brag that they killed me. They would be happy if I had trouble.
[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.
I have trusted in your mercy. My heart is
happy because you saved me. I will sing to you, Lord, because you have
blessed me greatly.
[5] But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
[6] I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.
| Psalm 14 was written by David. Some Bible scholars feel that it is a prophecy about the destruction of the First Temple. |
Psalm 14
The fool tells himself that there is no God. They
are corrupt. They have done horrible things. None of them do anything
good.[1] The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
God looked down from heaven. He looked at the
children of men to see if any of them understood Him and tried to obey Him.
There was no one. No one was doing good things. The good people were all gone.
The people who were left were filthy and dirty.
[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 doeth good, no, not one.
Don't the sinners know anything? The sinners destroy
God's people. The sinners do not call on the Lord.
[4] Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they
eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.
God protects the righteous people. The people who hurt
God's people are afraid.
[5] There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the
righteous.
God is the refuge of poor people.
[6] Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his refuge.
It will be good if God comes out of Zion to save Israel.
Israel will be glad when God brings His people back. The descendants of Jacob
will be glad.
[7] Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD
bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall
be glad.
| Psalm 15 was written by David. |
Psalm 15
Who will be in God's tabernacle?
O Lord, who will be in Your tabernacle? Who
will live in Your holy hill?
[1] LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
It will be the people who obey God's laws and do good
things and believe the truth. It will be people who do not say bad things behind
other people's backs. It will be people who do not do evil things to their
neighbors. It will be people who condemn bad people. It will be people who honor
other people who love God. It will be people who keep their promises. It will be
people who do not charge interest when they lend money. It will be people who
do not take advantage of innocent people. These people will never be moved. They
will always stand firm and follow God.
[2] He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth
in his heart.
[3] He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor
taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
[4] In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear
the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
[5] He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the
innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.
| Psalm 16 was written by David. |
Psalm 16
I worship the Lord only.
Save me, O God. I trust you.
[1] Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.
My soul, you have said to the Lord, "You are
my Lord. Everything good comes from you."
[2] O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness
extendeth not to thee;
There are saints and excellent people here
on earth. I honor them.
[3] But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is
all my delight.
But there are people who worship other gods.
They will be sorry. I will not offer blood sacrifices to their false gods. I
will not praise them with my lips.
[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.
I worship the Lord only. He keeps me safe.
[5] The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest
my lot.
I will have a beautiful home and inheritance.
[6] The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly
heritage.
I will bless the Lord. He had led me the
right way. He teaches me in my dreams.
[7] I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me
in the night seasons.
I have always obeyed and worshiped the Lord. He is at my right hand. I will not
change.
[8] I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I
shall not be moved.
My heart is glad, and I rejoice. My flesh will rest in
hope.
[9] Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest
in hope.
You will not leave my soul in hell.
You will not let your Holy One be corrupted.
[10] For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine
Holy One to see corruption.
You will show me the path of life. I will be
happy in your presence forever at your right hand.
[11] Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at
thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
| Psalm 17 was written by David. |
Psalm 17
Hide me in the shadow of your wings.
Please hear the innocent person, O Lord. Listen to my cry and listen to my prayer. I am an honest person.
[1] Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.
Your eyes can see the truth. Please vindicate me.
[2] Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.
I will not lie. You have examined me, and you found nothing wrong.
[3] Thou has proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou has tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
Your words have kept me safe.
[4] Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.
Please keep me safe. Keep my feet from slipping.
[5] Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.
I have asked you to help me because I know You will hear me, O God. Please hear what I am saying.
[6] I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.
Show me your wonderful loving kindness. You save with Your right hand. You save the people who trust You. You save them from the people who try to hurt them.
[7] Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.
Hide me under the shadow of Your wings. Keep me precious to You.
[8] Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
Keep me safe from the wicked people who keep me down. Keep me safe from my enemies who circle me to kill me.
[9] From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.
They only think of themselves. They brag about themselves.
[10] They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.
They are now surrounding me. They are looking down like a lion getting ready to attack. They are like a young lion who hides in secret places.
[11] They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;
[12] Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
O Lord, defeat my enemies with Your sword. Throw them down. Save me from the wicked people.
[13] Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:
The people who treasure You will have enough food for themselves, their children, and their grandchildren.
[14] From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.
I will see your face. I will be happy.
[15] As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
| Psalm 18 was written by David. It was written after God saved him from his enemies and from Saul. |
Psalm 18
I will love You, O lord. You are my strength.
[1] I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.
The Lord is my rock. He is my strong place. He saves
me. He is my God, my strength. I will trust Him. He is my high tower when
I am safe.
[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.
I will call on the Lord. He is worth praising. I will
be saved from my enemies.
[3] I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved
from mine enemies.
There was much sadness and death around me. The men who
did not who did obey God made me scared.
[4] The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me
afraid.
Hell was around me. Death was trapping me. I
cried to my Lord God. He was in His temple, and He heard my voice. He
heard my cry.
[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.
The earth was shaking. The hills were moving.
They were moving because God was angry.
[7] Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved
and were shaken, because he was wroth.
Smoke came out of His nose. Fire came out of His mouth.
It made coals catch on fire.
[8] There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth
devoured: coals were kindled by it.
He came down from the heavens. Darkness was under His
feet.
[9] He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.
He rode on a cherub (similar to an angel) and flew. He
flew on the wings of the wind.
[10] And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of
the wind.
God made darkness cover Him. The dark waters and thick clouds covered Him.
[11] He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark
waters and thick clouds of the skies.
His thick clouds passed in the brightness ahead of Him. There were hail stones and coals of fire.
[12] At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones
and coals of fire.
God also thundered in heaven. He used His voice. There
were 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.
He sent out His arrows and scattered His enemies. He
shot out lightning and confused them.
[14] Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out
lightnings, and discomfited them.
The bottoms of the seas were seen. The parts that hold
the world up could be seen when God blew breath from His nostrils.
[15] Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world
were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy
nostrils.
He reached down from above. He took me out of the many
waters.
[16] He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.
He saved me from my strong enemy. He saved me from
those who hated me because they were too strong for me.
[17] He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for
they were too strong for me.
They blocked me in the day of my trouble. But the Lord
saved me.
[18] They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.
He brought me forth into a large place. He saved
me because He was happy with me.
[19] He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he
delighted in me.
God rewarded me for obeying Him. I have not sinned, and
He rewarded me.
[20] The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the
cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
I have obeyed God's laws. I have not been wicked and
turned away from God.
[21] For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from
my God.
I remembered His laws.
[22] For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes
from me.
I obeyed His laws, and I stayed away from sin.
[23] I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.
The Lord has rewarded me because I obeyed His law. He
could see that my hands were clean from sin.
[24] Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness,
according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.
You show mercy to the people who show mercy. You are
fair with men who are fair.
[25] With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou
wilt shew thyself upright;
You are pure with people who are pure. You are honest
with the people who are honest.
[26] With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt
shew thyself froward.
You will save people who are suffering, but you will
bring down people who are too proud.
[27] For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.
You will light my candle. The Lord my God will bring
light to darkness.
[28] For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.
You have helped me defeat armies. With Your help, I
defeated cities.
[29] For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a
wall.
God's way is perfect. God's word is true. He helps everyone who trusts Him.
[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.
God is the Lord. He is the only rock.
[31] For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?
God makes me strong. He guides my actions.
[32] It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.
He makes my feet like deer's feet. He sets me up on high mountains.
[33] He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.
He teaches my hands how to fight. I am strong enough to
break a metal bow with my arms.
[34] He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
You have saved me with Your shield. Your right hand
holds me up. Your gentleness has made me great.
[35] Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand
hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.
You have made my path safe so that I did not slip.
[36] Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.
I have chased my enemies and defeated them. I did not leave until they were
totally defeated.
[37] I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again
till they were consumed.
I defeated my enemies. They fell under my feet.
[38] I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under
my feet.
You have given me strength for the battle. You have subdued the enemies that
were trying to defeat me.
[39] For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued
under me those that rose up against me.
You have given me my enemies so that I could destroy
the ones who hate me.
[40] Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy
them that hate me.
They cried, but no one saved them. They cried to the
Lord but He did not answer them.
[41] They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he
answered them not.
I beat them into small pieces of dust that blow in the
wind. I threw them out like dirt in the streets.
[42] Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out
as the dirt in the streets.
You have saved me from the people who were trying to
hurt me. You have put me in power over the unbelieving people. I do not
know them, but they will serve me.
[43] Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made
me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me.
As soon as they hear of me, they obey me. Even
strangers will obey me.
[44] As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit
themselves unto me.
Strangers will fade away. They will be afraid to leave
their hiding places.
[45] The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places.
The Lord lives. Blessed be my rock. Everyone should
worship the God who saves me.
[46] The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be
exalted.
God avenges me. He subdues the
people who are under me.
[47] It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.
He delivers me from my enemies. He lifts me up above
the people who want to fight with me. He delivers me from violent men.
[48] He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those
that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
That is why I give thanks to you, O Lord. I give thanks
when I am among the people who do not believe in You. I sing praises to Your
name.
[49] Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing
praises unto thy name.
You saved your king. You showed mercy to Your anointed,
David, and to David's descendants forever.
[50] Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed,
to David, and to his seed for evermore.
| Psalm 19 was written by David. |
Psalm 19
God's laws are perfect.
The heavens show the glory of God. The
earth shows the things He has created.
[1] The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his
handywork.
One day tells the next day about the glory
of God. One night tells the next night what it knows.
[2] Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
They do not use speech or language or
voices. No one can hear them.
[3] There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
What they say goes out through all the
earth. Their words go to the end of the world. That is where God set up a tent
for the sun.
[4] Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of
the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
The sun rises like a bridegroom coming out of his room.
It is happy like a strong man running a race.
[5] Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a
strong man to run a race.
The sun goes from one end of the heaven to the other
end. Nothing is hidden from the heat.
[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.
God's law is perfect. It converts the soul. God's words are true. He
makes people intelligent and wise.
[7] The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the
LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
God's laws are right. They make the
heart happy. His laws are pure, and they make the eyes see clearly.
[8] The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of
the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Respecting God's laws makes us clean. His laws will
last forever. His judgments are true and always right.
[9] The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD
are true and righteous altogether.
His laws are more valuable than gold. They are much
more valuable than fine gold. They are sweeter than honey and the honeycomb.
[10] More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter
also than honey and the honeycomb.
God's laws warn His servants. The people who obey His
laws will be rewarded.
[11] Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is
great reward.
No one can understand his own faults. God, please clean me from my secret
faults.
[12] Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
Please don't let sins have control over my life. I want
to be upright and obey God always. I will be innocent.
[13] Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have
dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the
great transgression.
Please let my words and my thoughts be acceptable to
you, O Lord. You are my strength and my redeemer.
[14] Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in
thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
| A prayer by King David |
Psalm 20
I pray that the Lord hears you when you are having
trouble. May the name of the God of Jacob defend and help you.[1] The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
May He send you help from His temple. May He make you strong from Mt. Zion.
[2] Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;
I pray that God remembers your offerings and accepts
your burnt sacrifices.
[3] Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.
I pray that He gives you everything you want and makes
you successful.
[4] Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.
We will be happy when you are saved. In the name of our
God, we will celebrate. The Lord answers all of your prayers.
[5] We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up
our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.
The Lord God saves His anointed special people. He will
hear their prayers when He is in heaven. He will save them with his strong
right hand
[6] Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy
heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.
Some people put their trust in chariots, and some put
their trust in horses. But we will remember the name of the Lord our God
[7] Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of
the LORD our God.
The people who do not trust God are brought down, and
they fall. But we who trust God rise, and we stand up straight.
[8] They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.
Save us, Lord. Please hear us when we call you.
[9] Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.
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