COMMENT: This is speaking of when Jesus is born of a woman.

Galatians 4:4 But when the fullness of time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman under the Law,

8 "Ask Me and I will give the nations as Your inheritance. All of the earth will be Your possession." 9 "You shall break them with a rod of iron and shatter them like an earthen pot." 10 Therefore, O kings, show discernment. Take warning, O judges of the earth. 11 Worship the LORD with reverence and rejoice with trembling. 12 Do homage to the Son, that He be not angry, causing you to perish, for His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!

Psalms 3 - RWB Paraphrase (8 V)
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Trust in God
1 O LORD, how my adversaries have increased! Many rise against me. 2 Many are saying that there is no deliverance for me from God. 3 But You, O LORD, are my shield, My glory, and the One who lifts up my head. 4 I cried to the LORD and He answered me from His holy mountain. 5 I lay down and slept. Then I awoke, for the LORD sustains me. 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousand people who have set themselves against me. 7 Arise, O LORD, save me, O my God! For You have smitten all my enemies, shattering the teeth of the wicked. 8 Salvation belongs to the LORD, may Your blessing be upon Your people!

COMMENT: Story of my time in Vietnam.

Psalms 4 - RWB Paraphrase (8 V)
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Rejoicing in God's Protection and Peace
1 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved my distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer. 2 O sons of men, how long will your honor be a reproach? How long will you love what is worthless while planning to deceive? 3 You need to know that God sets the godly apart for Himself, and He hears when I call to Him. 4 Tremble and do not sin. Be still and meditate while still in your bed. 5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and trust in the LORD. 6 Many are saying, "Who will show us anything good?" Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O LORD! 7 You have put gladness in my heart which is worth more than abundant grain and new wine. 8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety.

Psalms 5 - RWB Paraphrase (12 V)
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Shielded by God From the Lies of Enemies
1 Hear me, O LORD, and consider my groaning. 2 Heed my cry for help. You are my King and my God. And I am praying to You. 3 In the morning I will pray to you and eagerly watch for Your answer.

COMMENT: After we pray it is an act of faith to just wait, but watch for God's answer.

4 You do not take pleasure in wickedness, for no evil is in You. 5 The boastful shall not stand before You, for You hate all who do iniquity. 6 You destroy those who speak falsehood. The LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit. 7 By Your abundant lovingkindness I will enter Your house. At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence to You.

8 Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies, make straight Your way before me. 9 There is nothing reliable in what they say. They are destructive from the inside out. Their throat is an open grave behind their flattery. 10 Hold them guilty, O God, for they rebell against You. Let them fall by their own devices! And thrust them out because of their many transgressions.

11 But let everyone who takes refuge in You be glad. Let them always sing for joy. And may You shelter them, that those who love Your name may exult in You. 12 For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD. Your favor is a shield to him.

Psalms 6 - RWB Paraphrase (10 V)
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God Is Able to Rescue Us
1 Do not rebuke me in Your anger, O LORD, or chasten me in Your wrath. 2 Be gracious to me, for I am weak. Heal me, O LORD, for my bones ache.

3 And my soul is greatly dismayed. O LORD, how long must this continue? 4 Return and rescue my soul. Save me for Your mercies sake. 5 For there is no knowledge of You in death. No one gives You thanks from the grave.

COMMENT: We have no thought after we die. Now is the time to thank the Lord!

6 I am weary with sighing. I swim in my tears upon my couch. 7 My eyes are red and have sunken in with grief. My adversaries have made me to become old.

8 Depart from me, all who do iniquity, for the LORD has heard my weeping. 9 He has heard my supplication, and He accepts my prayer. 10 My enemies will be ashamed and greatly dismayed. They shall turn back in shame.

Psalms 7 - RWB Paraphrase (17 V)
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God Is the Perfect Judge
1 O LORD my God, I take refuge in You. Save me from those who pursue me, 2 lest he treat my soul like a lion, dragging me away with none to deliver. 3 If I have caused this, and if there is injustice in my hands, 4 if I have rewarded evil to the one who is at peace with me, or plundered my adversary without cause, 5 let my enemy pursue my soul and overtake it. Let him trample my life to the ground and lay my glory in the dust.

6 Arise, O LORD, in Your anger. Lift Yourself up against the rage of my adversaries. Arouse Yourself, for You have appointed judgment. 7 Gather them about You as You lift Yourself up. 8 You judge the people, so vindicate me according to the integrity that is in me. 9 Let evil men come to an end, and establish the righteous, for the righteous God tries the hearts and minds of men.

10 God is my shield, and saves the upright in heart. 11 He is a righteous judge and is indignant over sin every day. 12 If a man does not repent, God will sharpen His sword, and bend His bow in readiness. 13 He has prepared deadly weapons. His arrows are fiery shafts. 14 He works against wickedness and exposes falsehood. 15 The wicked dig a pit and then falls into it himself, 16 so that his evil plans fall on his own head.

17 I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness, and sing praises to the name of the LORD Most High.

Psalms 8 - RWB Paraphrase (9 V)
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God Is the All Powerful Creator Who Cares for Man
1 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth. You have displayed Your splendor above the heavens! 2 Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength over Your adversaries, to bring them to an end. 3 When I consider Your heavens, the works of Your fingers, the moon and the stars which exist because of You, 4 what is man that You have time to think of him? Why do You care anything about him? 5 Yet You have made him a little lower than the angels, crowning him with glory and honor. 6 You have made him to rule over the works of Your hands, placing everything under his feet. 7 This includes the sheep and oxen, and the beasts of the field, 8 the birds of the air, the fish and everything else in the sea. 9 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!

Psalms 9 - RWB Paraphrase (20 V)
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God Never Ignores Our Cries for Help
1 I will praise You LORD with my whole heart, and tell others of all Your marvelous works. 2 I will be glad and rejoice in You, singing praises to your name, O LORD Most High. 3 When my enemies are turned back, they fall and perish in Your presence. 4 You have maintained my just cause. You sit on Your throne and judge righteously.

5 You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked. You have blotted out their names forever. 6 My enemy has come to an end with no future. You have uprooted the cities, and even the memory of them.

7 But the LORD abides forever. He has established His throne for judgment. 8 And He will judge the world in righteousness, executing His judgment with equity. 9 He is a stronghold for the oppressed in times of trouble. 10 Those who know Your name will put their trust in You, for You never forsake those who seek You.

11 Sing praises to the LORD Who dwells in Zion. Make known all His deeds among the peoples. 12 For He who requires the blood of those who have done wrong will not forget the afflicted. 13 Be gracious to me, O LORD. See the affliction coming from those who hate me. You are the One who lifts me up from the gates of death, 14 that I may tell of all Your praises to those within the gates of the daughter of Zion. I will rejoice in Your salvation. 15 The nations have sunk in their own pit, and been caught in the net which they set for others.

16 The LORD has made Himself known, executing judgment, and catching the wicked in the work of His own hands. 17 The wicked shall go to the grave. This is true of all the nations who forget God. 18 The needy will not ever be forgotten, or see their hope perish. 19 Arise, O LORD. Do not let man prevail. Let the nations be judged before You. 20 Put them in fear, O LORD. Let the nations know that they are but men.

Psalms 10 - RWB Paraphrase (18 V)
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God May Seem to Be Hidden But He Is Aware of Every Injustice
1 Why do You stand far away, O LORD? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble? 2 In their pride the wicked pursue the afflicted. Let them be caught in the plots they have devised. 3 For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire, cursing and spurning the LORD. 4 In his haughtiness he does not seek the LORD. He does not even think the LORD exists. 5 He seems to always prosper and does not see his coming judgment. 6 He thinks he is secure and sees no reason to think it will ever be otherwise. 7 His mouth is full of curses, deceit and oppression. The idea behind all his words is mischief and wickedness. 8 He lurks about, intent on killing the innocent. He is always keeping watch for the unfortunate. 9 He is like the lion laying in wait to catch the afflicted, drawing them into his trap. 10 He crouches to spring on them and the unfortunate fall before him. 11 He thinks that God is not watching and will not notice.

12 Arise, O LORD. Lift up Your hand do not forget the afflicted.

13 Why have the wicked spurned God? Why do they think He will not do what He has said He will do? 14 You have seen all that is wrong. The unfortunate commits himself to You. You have helped the orphan. 15 Break the arm of those who do evil. Eradicate wickedness.

16 The LORD is King forever and He can cause nations to perish. 17 O LORD, You have heard the request of the humble. You will strengthen their hearts, and listen to them, 18 to vindicate the fatherless and oppressed, so that terror upon the earth will come to an end.

Psalms 11 - RWB Paraphrase (7 V)
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God's Rule Provides Stability
1 I place my trust in the LORD. I have heard you say, "Flee as a bird to your mountain." 2 Behold, the wicked bend the bow, and prepare to shoot the upright in the darkness. 3 If that which the righteous have come to trust in is destroyed, what can they do? 4 The LORD is in His holy temple on His throne in heaven. He watches and tests the sons of men. 5 He tests the righteous and the wicked, and hates those who love violence. 6 He rains snares on the wicked. Fire, brimstone and a burning wind are their portion. 7 For the LORD is righteous and He loves righteousness. He keeps a watch over the upright.

Psalms 12 - RWB Paraphrase (8 V)
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A Comparison of the Pure Words of God and Man's Lies
1 Help, LORD, for there are no more godly men. The faithful have disappeared. 2 Everyone speaks falsehood using flattery and deception. 3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and the tongue that boasts. 4 They prevail by their words, and do not recognize the LORD. 5 The LORD says, I will arise because of the devastation of the afflicted and the groaning of the needy. I will give them safety. 6 The words of the LORD are pure. They are like silver refined seven times in the furnace. 7 You, O LORD, will keep them and preserve them forever, 8 while the wicked strut about exalting themselves among men.

Psalms 13 - RWB Paraphrase (6 V)
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Trust God Even When He Does Not Answer Immediately
1 How long, O LORD, will you ignore me and hide Your face from me? 2 How long shall I have sorrow in my heart while my enemy exalts over me? 3 Consider my prayer, O LORD my God, and enlighten me, lest I die. 4 If that happens my enemy will rejoice, saying that he has overcome me. 5 But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness and my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. 6 I will sing to the LORD, for He has dealt bountifully with me.

Psalms 14 - RWB Paraphrase (7 V)
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Only the Fool Says There Is No God
1 The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They commit abominable deeds. None of them does what is good. 2 The LORD looks down from heaven to see if there are any who understand, and seek after Him. 3 They have all turned aside and have become corrupt. No one does good, not even one. 4 Do the workers of iniquity not understand? They eat up my people the way they eat bread. And they never call upon the LORD? 5 They are in great dread, for God is with the righteous. 6 They would put to shame the afflicted who trust in God, but He is their refuge. 7 Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores His captive people, Jacob will rejoice, Israel will be glad.

Psalms 15 - RWB Paraphrase (5 V)
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How to Live a Blameless Life
1 O LORD, who may abide in Your tent and dwell on Your holy hill? 2 He who walks with integrity, working righteousness and speaking truth from within his heart. 3 He does not slander with his tongue, do any evil to his neighbor, or reproach him. 4 In his eyes a bad person is condemned, but he honors those who fear the LORD, swearing even to his own hurt, and keeping his oath. 5 He does not charge interest for a loan. Neither will he take a bribe against the innocent. He who follows these rules will never be shaken.

Psalms 16 - RWB Paraphrase (11 V)
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The Joys and Benefits of Companionship with God
1 Preserve me, O God, for I have placed my trust in You. 2 I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord, I have no goodness apart from You." 3 I delight in the saints that are in the earth. 4 Many are the sorrows of those who follow another god. I will not even speak of them. 5 The LORD is my inheritance and He supports me.

6 It has gone well for me and I have a goodly heritage. 7 I will bless the LORD who has counseled me as I meditate in the night. 8 I have set the LORD continually before me, and because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 For this reason my heart is glad. I will dwell securely. 10 You will not abandon my soul to the grave, O LORD. Neither will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.

COMMENT: These words apply to Jesus as He faced death.

Acts 13:35 "For He said in another Psalm, 'You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.'"

11 You will show me the path of life. In Your presence is fullness of joy. In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

Psalms 17 - RWB Paraphrase (15 V)
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A Plea for Justice
1 O LORD, give ear to my cry and hear a just cause from my lips, for they are not deceitful. 2 Look with equity and let my judgment come forth from Your presence. 3 You have tried my heart, even visiting me during the night. You have tested me and found nothing, for I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress. 4 Your words of admonition for all men have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.

COMMENT: Jesus relied on God's written word to know how to avoid the temper's wiles.

5 I have stayed on Your paths and my feet have not slipped.

6 I have called upon You, for You will answer me, O God. Incline Your ear to hear what I say. 7 Show Your lovingkindness in wonderful ways. You are the Savior of those who take refuge at Your right hand. 8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye. Hide me in the shadow of Your wings, 9 from the wicked who oppress me, and from my deadly enemies who surround me. 10 They have closed their unfeeling hearts while speaking proudly. 11 They have made it their goal to cast us down to the ground. 12 They are like a lion, eager to tear, lurking in wait. 13 Arise, O LORD, confront him and bring him low. Use Your sword to deliver my soul from the wicked. 14 Save me from men of the world whose only portion is this life. You fill their belly with good things and they are satisfied with children with whom they will leave their substance.

15 As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness and I will be satisfied to awake with Your likeness.

COMMENT: To awake with His likeness is the hope of those who live and die trusting in the Lord.

Psalms 18 - RWB Paraphrase (50 V)
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Gratitude for Deliverance
1 I love You, O LORD. You are my strength. 2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress. He delivers me. I take refuge in Him for He is my shield and my stronghold. 3 I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. 4 The sorrows of death surrounded me, and the torrents of ungodly men made me afraid. 5 The sorrows of the grave surround me and I was confronted by the snares of death. 6 In my distress I called upon the LORD for help. And from within His temple His ear heard me. 7 The earth shook because of His anger. 8 Smoke came out of His nostrils and fire from His mouth. Coals were kindled by it. 9 He came down with thick darkness under His feet. 10 He flew on a cherub upon wings of the wind. 11 He made thick clouds His canopy around Him. 12 From His brightness within the thick clouds came forth hailstones and coals of fire. 13 The LORD's voice could be heard as He thundered in the heavens. 14 He sent out His arrows in an abundance of lightning flashes. 15 Channels of water appeared and the foundations of the world were laid bare. All this at the blast of the breath of His nostrils. 16 He reached down from on high and drew me out of many waters. 17 He delivered me from my strong enemy who hated me and was too strong for me. 18 Though I was confronted in the day of my calamity, the LORD was my stay. 19 He brought me out to a broad place, having rescued me because He delighted in me. 20 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness. My hands were clean and He has rewarded me. 21 For I have kept the ways of the LORD and have not departed from my God. 22 I have kept His ordinances and statutes, 23 and I have kept myself from iniquity. 24 Therefore He has rewarded me according to my righteousness.

25 With the merciful You show Yourself merciful. With the blameless You show Yourself blameless. 26 With the pure You show Yourself to be pure, and with the crooked You know how to deal. 27 You save the afflicted and bring down the haughty. 28 You light my lamp, O LORD, and push away my darkness. 29 For by Your strength I can deal with few or many and leap over a wall.

30 God's ways are blameless. The word of the LORD is tried. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. 31 For Who is God, but the LORD? And Who is a Rock, except our God. 32 He is the God who girds me with strength and makes my way blameless. 33 He makes my feet like the feet of the deer, setting me upon the high places. 34 He trains my hands for battle, so that my arms are able to bend a bronze bow. 35 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, and Your right hand upholds me, while Your gentleness makes me great.

36 You enlarge the length of my stride, and my feet do not slip. 37 I pursued my enemies and overtook them. I did not turn back until they were consumed. 38 I shattered them, so that they were not able to rise. 39 For You have girded me with strength for battle, and You have subdued under me those who rose up against me. 40 You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me, and I destroyed those who hated me. 41 They cried for help, but there was none to save them. The LORD did not answer them when they called to Him. 42 I beat them as fine as the dust before the wind, and removed them from the mire of the streets. 43 You have delivered me from the contentions of the people, placing me at the head of the nations. A people whom I have not known now serve me. 44 As soon as they hear, these foreigners obey me. 45 They come trembling out of their fortresses. 46 The LORD lives. Blessed be my Rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation. 47 He executes vengeance for me, and subdues peoples under me. 48 He lifts me above those violent men who rise up against me. 49 Therefore I will give thanks to You among the nations, O LORD, and I will sing praises to Your name. 50 He gives great deliverance to His king, and shows lovingkindness to His anointed, to David and his descendants forever.

Psalms 19 - RWB Paraphrase (14 V)
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God's Word and Creation Reveal His Greatness
1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and their expanse shows His handywork. 2 Day unto day pours forth speech, and night after night reveals knowledge. 3 People of every language see and hear this. 4 Their witness has gone out to the ends of the earth. He has placed a tent for the sun, 5 which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, rejoicing as a strong man about to run a race. 6 His going forth is from one end of the heavens to the other. There is nothing hidden from its heat.

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul. The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, making the heart rejoice. 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 altogether righteous. 10 They are more to be desired than gold, yes, than much fine gold. They are sweeter than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from my secret faults.

COMMENT: Cleanse me not only from the faults I endeavor to hide from others, but also the faults I do not fully recognize in myself. Teach me Your ways, O Lord, as expressed in Your law.

13 And keep Your servant from presumptuous sins. Keep me from being ruled by them. Then I will be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalms 20 - RWB Paraphrase (9 V)
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A Prayer For Victory In Battle
1 May the LORD God of Jacob answer you in the day of trouble, and set you securely on high!

COMMENT:

Genesis 32:26 The Man said, "Let me go for dawn is coming." But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."

2 May He send you help from the sanctuary and support you from Zion! 3 May He remember all your meal offerings and find your burnt offerings acceptable! 4 May He grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans! 5 We will sing for joy over your victory, and in the name of our God set up our banners. May the LORD fulfill all your petitions. 6 I know that the LORD saves His anointed, answering him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. 7 Some boast in chariots and some in horses, but we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God. 8 They have fallen and are bowed down, but we have risen and stand upright. 9 Save us, O LORD. May the King answer us when we call.

Psalms 21 - RWB Paraphrase (13 V)
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Praising God After Victory in Battle
1 O LORD, in Your strength and salvation the king will be glad, and greatly rejoice. 2 You have given him his heart's desire and withheld nothing he has asked for. 3 For You have blessed him with good things, and have set a crown of fine gold on his head. 4 He asked for long life and You have given it to him. 5 His glory is great because of Your salvation. You have placed splendor and majesty upon him. 6 For You make him most blessed forever, and he is joyful in Your presence.

7 The king trusts in the LORD, and through the lovingkindness of the Most High he will be secure. 8 Your right hand will find all of your enemies. 9 In His anger the LORD will swallow them up, and fire will devour them. 10 You will destroy their offspring from the earth. 11 They will not succeed in their evil plot against you. 12 You will aim Your arrows at them and they will turn and run. 13 Be exalted in Your strength, O LORD. We will sing and praise Your power.

Psalms 22 - RWB Paraphrase (31 V)
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From Great Suffering to Great Joy
1 My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from delivering me from my groaning?

COMMENT: Jesus quoted this verse as hung dying on the cross.

2 I cry out day and night without an answer. 3 Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel. 4 Our fathers trusted in You and You delivered them. 5 They were not disappointed when they cried to You. 6 But I am not a man, but a worm, despised by the people. 7 All who see me sneer and wag their heads, saying, 8 "He trusted in the LORD to deliver him. Let Him deliver him now, since He delights in him." 9 You are the one who brought me forth from the womb. You made me to trust while I was upon my mother's breasts. 10 You have been my God since I was born. 11 Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help me. 12 Many bulls have surrounded me. 13 They open wide their mouths. They are ravenous and roar like a lion.

14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax. It has melted within me. 15 My strength is gone and my tongue cleaves to my mouth. You are laying me in the dust of death. 16 Dogs have surrounded me, and a band of evildoers has encompassed me. They have pierced my hands and my feet.

COMMENT: These are words applied to what happened to Jesus at His crucifixion.

17 I can count all my bones. Everyone stares at me. 18 They cast lots for my clothing and divide my garments among them.

COMMENT: It is amazing to witness the Creator being treated this way by those He created. They have no idea who they are crucifying, whose clothes they are gambling for. They are held less accountable than the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Mark 15:24 Then they crucified Jesus and cast lots to divide His garments between them.

Luke 23:34 Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them. They do not know what they are doing." The soldiers cast lots to divide up his garments among themselves.

John 19:24 they cast lots for it rather than divide it. This fulfilled the scripture that said, "They divided My outer garments among them. And for My clothing they cast lots."

19 But You, O LORD, do not be far off. You are my help. Hasten to help me. 20 Deliver my soul from the sword and my life from the power of the dog. 21 Save me from the lion's mouth and the horns of the wild ox. 22 I will declare Your name to my brethren. I will praise You in the midst of the assembly. 23 You that fear the LORD, praise Him. You descendants of Jacob, stand in awe and glorify Him. 24 For He has not despised nor abhorred the afflicted. Neither has He hidden His face from him, for when he cried to Him for help, He heard. 25 My praise shall be of You in the great assembly, and I shall pay my vows before those who fear Him. 26 The afflicted will eat and be satisfied, Those who seek Him will praise the LORD. Let your heart live forever! 27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will worship before You.

COMMENT: This will be most completely fulfilled when all the wicked dead are raised just before their final destruction. They will be made to understand that they are where they are by their own choices.

28 For the kingdom is the LORD's and He rules over the nations. 29 All the prosperous of the earth will eat and worship, and all who go down to the dust will bow before Him. None can keep his own soul alive. 30 Posterity will serve Him. It will be told of the LORD to the coming generation. 31 They will come and declare His righteousness to a people yet to be born, telling of what He has done.

COMMENT: The saved will witness to God's righteousness to future worlds throughout eternity.

Psalms 23 - RWB Paraphrase (6 V)
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A Psalm of David
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul, guiding me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. 4 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 are a comfort to me. 5 You prepare a table for me while my enemies watch. You anoint my head with oil. My cup is running over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalms 24 - RWB Paraphrase (10 V)
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God Owns Everything
1 The earth and everything in it belongs to the LORD. 2 He has established it upon the seas and rivers. 3 Who may go up on the hill of the LORD, and who may stand in His holy place? 4 Only he whose hands are clean and has a pure heart, who has not followed falsehood or sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive a blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is the generation of those who seek Your face.

7 Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in! 8 Who is the King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O gates, and lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in! 10 Who is this King of glory? He is the LORD of hosts. He is the King of glory.

Psalms 25 - RWB Paraphrase (22 V)
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Prayer for Protection, Guidance and Pardon
1 I lift up my soul to You, O LORD. 2 In You I trust. Do not let my enemies shame me. 3 Indeed, none who wait for You will be ashamed. But those who deal treacherously without cause will be shamed. 4 Teach me Your ways, O LORD. 5 Lead me in Your truth, for You are the God of my salvation. On You I wait all day. 6 Remember, O LORD, Your compassion and Your tender mercies, as You have always been to me. 7 According to Your mercy, do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions. Do this because of Your goodness. 8 The LORD is good and upright. He instructs sinners in the way. 9 He leads the humble in justice, teaching them His way. 10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. 11 O LORD, pardon my great iniquity for Your name's sake. 12 The one who fears the LORD will be instructed by Him to know the way he should go. 13 His soul will prosper and his descendants will inherit the earth. 14 The covenant of the LORD is for those who fear Him. 15 I keep my eyes on the LORD continually. He will pluck my feet out of the net. 16 Turn to me and be gracious, for I am lonely and afflicted. 17 My troubles seem very great. Bring me out of my distresses. 18 As You look upon my affliction and pain, forgive all my sins. 19 Notice my many enemies. They hate me with a violent hatred. 20 Guard my soul and deliver me. Do not let me be ashamed, for I put my trust in You. 21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for You. 22 O God, Redeem Israel out of all his troubles.

Psalms 26 - RWB Paraphrase (12 V)
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Declaring Loyalty To God
1 Judge me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity and trusted in the LORD without wavering. 2 Examine me, O LORD, and test my mind and my heart, 3 for Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth. 4 I do not sit with deceitful men. Neither will I go with hypocrites. 5 I hate the assembly of evildoers and will not sit with the wicked. 6 I will wash my hands in innocence. I will go about Your altar, O LORD, 7 that I may give thanks and declare all Your wonders. 8 O LORD, I love Your house where Your glory dwells. 9 Do not take my soul away along with sinners, nor my life with men of bloodshed, 10 in whose hands are wicked schemes, and bribes. 11 But I shall walk in my integrity. Redeem me, and be gracious to me. 12 My foot stands on a level place. In the congregations I shall bless the LORD.

Psalms 27 - RWB Paraphrase (14 V)
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Unwavering Confidence in God
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation. Whom then shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life. 2 When the wicked who are my enemies were ready to devour me, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though a host camp against me, I will not fear them. 4 All that I ask of the LORD is that I may dwell in His house all the days of my life, beholding His beauty as I meditate in His temple. 5 In the day of trouble He will hide me in His tabernacle and lift me up on a rock. 6 I will be lifted above my enemies as I offer sacrifices in His tent with shouts of joy and songs of praise to the LORD.

7 Hear my cry, O LORD, and be gracious to me. 8 When You said that I should seek Your face, I made that my goal. 9 Do not hide Your face from me. You have been my help. Do not forsake me, O God of my salvation. 10 My father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me up. 11 Teach me Your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path when my enemies would have it otherwise. 12 Do not deliver me to my adversaries, for they have false witnesses testify against me. 13 I would have despaired had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD while I live. 14 Wait for the LORD. Be strong and let your heart take courage. Yes, I say, wait on the LORD.

Psalms 28 - RWB Paraphrase (9 V)
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Prayer When Surrounded by Trouble
1 I call to You, O LORD. You are my Rock. Hear me and do not be silent, lest I die. 2 Hear my supplications as I cry to You for help. I lift my hands toward Your holy sanctuary. 3 Do not draw me away with the wicked who work iniquity. They speak of peace while evil is in their hearts. 4 Give them their due according to what they do. 5 They do not regard the works of the LORD, so He will tear them down and not build them up.

6 Blessed be the LORD, for He has heard my supplication. 7 He is my strength and shield. My heart trusts in Him and He helps me. Therefore my heart exults, and I thank Him in song. 8 The LORD is a saving defense to His anointed. 9 Save Your people and bless Your inheritance, O LORD. Be their shepherd and carry them forever.

Psalms 29 - RWB Paraphrase (11 V)
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God Reveals His Great Power in Nature
1 Tell of the LORD's glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to Him the glory due His name, and worship Him in the beauty of holiness.

COMMENT: When I come before the Lord in corporate worship I must dress properly.

3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters and His glory is seen in the thunders. 4 He voice is powerful and majestic. 5 The voice of the LORD breaks into pieces the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf and Sirion like a young wild ox. 7 The voice of the LORD divides fire, 8 and shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the LORD causes the deer to calve and strips the forests bare. Everything in His temple says, "Glory!"

COMMENT: Here are two results of God speaking. In one case something as delicate as birth is the result, and in the second case a forest is decimated. Truly, He is all glorious.

10 The LORD sat as King during the great flood. Yes, He sits as King forever.

COMMENT: The LORD was in control during the great flood in Noah's time. It was never out of His control. It was very much within His plan.

11 The LORD will give strength to His people, and bless them with peace.

Psalms 30 - RWB Paraphrase (12 V)
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A Celebration Of God's Deliverance
1 I will extol You, O LORD, for You have lifted me up, and have not let my enemies rejoice over me. 2 I cried to You for help and You healed me. 3 O LORD, You have brought my soul up from the grave. You have kept me alive. 4 Sing praises to the LORD, O you who are His saints. Give thanks as you remember His holiness. 5 His anger lasts only a moment but His favor lasts a lifetime. Though weeping lasts all night, it is replaced by joy in the morning. 6 And in my prosperity I determined never to be moved. 7 O LORD, by Your favor You have made my mountain to stand strong, but when You hid Your face, I was dismayed. 8 To You, O LORD, I have made my supplication.

9 What profit am I to You if I am in the grave? Will the dust praise You and declare Your faithfulness?

COMMENT: It is as though David is saying, what do You profit, O Lord, by having me in the grave? Aren't I worth more to You alive?

10 Hear, O LORD, and be gracious to me. Be my helper. 11 You have turned my mourning into dancing. You have replaced my sackcloth with gladness. 12 My soul sings Your praises, O LORD. I cannot keep silent. I will give thanks to You forever.

Psalms 31 - RWB Paraphrase (24 V)
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In Times Of Stress Depend On God
1 I have taken refuge in You, O LORD. In Your righteousness deliver me. Let me never be ashamed. 2 Incline Your ear to me and quickly rescue me. Be to me my rock of strength and my stronghold. 3 For You are my rock and my fortress. For Your own name's sake You care for me. 4 You are my strength and will pull me out of the trap that has been set for me. 5 I commit my life to Your care. You have ransomed me, O LORD God of truth. 6 I deplore those who have regard for vain idols. I trust in the LORD. 7 I will rejoice in Your mercy, for You have regard for my trouble and know of my adversities. 8 You have not given me over to the enemy, but have placed my feet on solid ground with room to move about.

9 Be gracious to me, O LORD. My body and soul is in distress. 10 I spend my life in sorrow. My iniquity has caused my strength to fail. 11 My adversaries make me a reproach, especially to my neighbors who dread to see me. 12 It is as though I was dead. I am a broken vessel. 13 I have heard their slander while terror is on every side. They counsel together to take my life.

COMMENT: The story of when I was accused of being CIA.

14 But I trust in You, O LORD. You are my God. 15 Whatever happens to me is in Your hand. Deliver me from my enemies who persecute me. 16 In Your mercy make Your face to shine upon me. 17 As I call upon You, O LORD, let my enemies be put to shame. 18 Stop their lying lips as they speak arrogantly against the righteous.

19 Your goodness is so great and you have stored it up for those who fear you. 20 You hide them in the secret place of Your presence and keep them from the strife of tongues.

21 Blessed be the LORD for His marvelous mercy to me in a besieged city.

22 I thought I was cut off from Your sight. But You have heard my supplications as I cried to you.

23 Love the LORD, all you His saints, for He preserves the faithful and has a just reward for the proud. 24 You that hope in the LORD must be of good courage. He will strengthen your heart.

Psalms 32 - RWB Paraphrase (11 V)
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Forgiveness Brings True Happiness
1 How blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven. 2 He is truly blessed when the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit He finds no deceit! 3 When I kept silent about my sin my body wasted away and I groaned all day long. 4 Day and night Your hand was heavy upon me and my vitality was dried up. 5 I acknowledged my sin to You, and did not try to hide it. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and You forgave me. 6 For this reason the godly should pray to You while You may be found. No one should wait until things get really bad.

7 You are my hiding place. You preserve me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go. I will counsel you and keep My eye on you. 9 Do not be like the horse or mule which have no understanding and must be held in place with bit and bridle. 10 The wicked have many sorrows, but the one who trusts in the LORD shall be surrounded with mercy. 11 Let the righteous be glad and rejoice in the LORD.

Psalms 33 - RWB Paraphrase (22 V)
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God Is Our Creator, Lord, Savior And Deliverer And Is Worthy Of Our Praise
1 Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous. Praise is becoming to the upright. 2 Praise the LORD with the harp. Sing unto him with the ten stringed instrument. 3 Sing a new song skillfully played with shouts of joy. 4 For the word of the LORD is righteous and all His works are done in faithfulness. 5 He loves righteousness and justice, and the earth is full of His goodness. 6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and the entire host of them by the breath of His mouth.

COMMENT:

Genesis 1:14-19 Then God said, "Let there be lights in the heavens to divide the day from the night. They are to determine the seasons, the days and the years." [15] "Let their light shine upon the earth." Here is what He did. [16] He made two great lights, the greater light was to rule the day and the lesser light was to rule the night. He also made stars. [17] God set these in the sky to give light to the earth. [18] They were to rule over the day and the night, dividing the light from the darkness. God saw that what He had done was good. [19] And this evening and morning were the fourth day.

7 He gathers the waters of the sea into a heap. He fills the deep like a storehouse.

8 Let all the earth fear the LORD, and 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 wicked to nothing and nullifies their plans. 11 The counsel of the LORD stands throughout all generations.

COMMENT:

Psalms 55:19 God who is enthroned from old, will hear and answer, for He does not change.

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, being chosen by Him for His own inheritance.

13 The LORD looks from heaven and sees all the sons of men. 14 From His dwelling place He sees the inhabitants of the earth. 15 He understands their works and their motives.

16 The king is not saved by a mighty army, and a warrior is not delivered by great strength. 17 A horse does not insure victory, for its great strength can save no one.

18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, and find their hope in His mercy. 19 He delivers their soul from death and keeps them alive in famine. 20 We wait for the LORD. He is our help and our shield. 21 Our hearts rejoice in Him because we trust in His holy name. 22 Let Your mercy be upon us, O LORD, according to our hope in you.

Psalms 34 - RWB Paraphrase (22 V)
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God Pays Attention To Those Who Call On Him
1 I will bless the LORD at all times. His praise shall be continually on my lips. 2 My soul shall boast in the LORD. Those who are humble will hear His voice and rejoice. 3 Magnify the LORD with me. Let us exalt His name together.

4 I sought the LORD, and He answered me, delivering me from all my fears. 5 They looked to Him and were radiant, for their shame had been removed. 6 The poor man cried and the LORD heard him and saved him from all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good. How blessed is the man who finds his refuge in the LORD.

9 Fear the LORD, all you His saints, for those who fear Him have no want. 10 The young lions are not satisfied, but those who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing.

11 Come, you children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Do you want to live a long life and see many good things? 13 Keep you tongue from speaking evil. 14 Do good and pursue peace. 15 The eye of the LORD is upon the righteous and He hears their cry. 16 His face is turned against evildoers, so that their memory is cut off from the earth. 17 The righteous cry, and the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 He is near to the broken hearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of all of them. 20 He keeps their bones from being broken. 21 Evil shall come upon the wicked, and those who hate the righteous shall be condemned. 22 The LORD redeems the soul of His servants. No one who takes refuge in Him will be condemned.

Psalms 35 - RWB Paraphrase (28 V)
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A Prayer To God For Help
1 Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me, and fight against them for me. 2 Take Your shield and buckler and rise up to help me. 3 Use Your spear to meet those who pursue me. Tell me that You are my salvation. 4 Let those seeking my life come to shame. Humiliate those who devise evil against me. 5 Let them be like chaff in the wind with the angel of the LORD chasing them. 6 Make their way dark and slippery. 7 They have made trouble for me without cause and dug a pit for my soul.

8 Let destruction come upon him without warning. Let him be caught in his own net. 9 And my soul shall rejoice in the LORD and His salvation. 10 My innermost being will say, "Lord, who is like You, Who delivers the afflicted from the one who is too strong for him?" 11 Malicious witnesses rise up, asking me about things I know nothing about. 12 They repay me evil for good until my soul is bereaved.

13 But as for me, when they were sick, I wore sackcloth while I humbled my soul with fasting, always with a prayer in my heart. 14 I thought of them as a friend or brother. I sorrowed the same as I would for my mother. 15 But when I stumbled, they rejoiced and gathered together against me. They never stop slandering me. 16 They are like godless jesters at a feast, gnashing me with their teeth. 17 Lord, how long will You watch without rescuing my soul from their ravages? 18 I will give You thanks in the great congregation. I will praise You among many people. 19 Do not let those who are my enemies without cause rejoice over my demise as they wink at each other. 20 For they do not speak peace, but devise deceitful words against those who have caused no trouble. 21 They open their mouths with blatant lies against me. 22 You have seen it, O LORD. So do not keep silent or be far from me. 23 Stir Yourself and awake to my cause, my God and my Lord.

24 Judge me, O LORD my God, according to Your righteousness, and do not let them rejoice over me. 25 Do not let them say, "Aha, we have him now! There is nothing he can do!" 26 Let them be ashamed and humiliated who have rejoiced at my distress, while magnifying themselves.

27 Let any shouting for joy be from those who want to see me vindicated. Let it be said, "The LORD be magnified, who delights in the prosperity of His servant." 28 And I shall declare Your righteousness and praise You all day long.

Psalms 36 - RWB Paraphrase (12 V)
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God's Faithfulness, Justice And Love
1 Transgression makes the ungodly person think that he need not fear God. 2 He flatters himself with the thought that iniquity is not so bad. 3 As his words become more wicked he ceases to be wise and do good. 4 While he lies on his bed he plans wickedness and goes down a path that is not good.

5 Your mercy and faithfulness, O LORD, reaches to heaven. 6 Your righteousness is like the mountains, and Your judgment is like the deep, as You preserve both man and beast. 7 How wonderful is Your lovingkindness, O God! The children of men find their trust in the shadow of Your wings. 8 They drink their fill in Your house from the river of Your delights. 9 For with You is the fountain of life, and in Your light we have light. 10 Please continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, and Your righteousness to those upright in heart. 11 Let me not walk in pride. Neither let the hand of the wicked remove me. 12 The doers of iniquity have fallen. They have been thrust down and cannot get up.

Psalms 37 - RWB Paraphrase (40 V)
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Trust In The Lord And Wait Patiently
1 Do not fret because of evildoers, and do not envy them. 2 For they will wither like the grass and fade away. 3 Trust in the LORD and do good. Cultivate faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your ways to Him and trust in Him. 6 He will bring your righteousness and judgment into the full light.

7 Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him. Do not worry about the wicked and their schemes. 8 Stop being angry for it only leads to evildoing. 9 Evildoers will be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD will inherit the earth. 10 In a little while the wicked will be completely gone. 11 The meek will inherit the earth and delight in abundant peace.

COMMENT: Jesus talked about this.

Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

12 Though the wicked plot to hurt the righteous, 13 the LORD laughs at them, for He see their end is coming. 14 The wicked have every intention of harming the upright. 15 But their sword will enter their own heart and their bows will be broken. 16 Better is the little possessed by the righteous than the abundance of many wicked. 17 The arms of the wicked will be broken while the LORD sustains the righteous. 18 The LORD knows the days of the upright, and their inheritance shall be forever. 19 They will not be ashamed in the time of evil. And in the days of famine they will be satisfied. 20 But the wicked will perish. The LORD's enemies will vanish like smoke.

21 The wicked borrows without paying back, while the righteous shows mercy by giving. 22 Those blessed by the LORD will inherit the land, but those He curses will be cut off. 23 A man's steps are established by the LORD. He delights in his ways. 24 The LORD holds a man's hand so that when he falls he does not fall all the way down.

25 I have been young and now I am old, and I have not seen the righteous forsaken, or his descendants begging bread. 26 He is always willing to lend and his descendants are a blessing. 27 Depart from evil and do good, so you may abide forever. 28 For the LORD loves justice and does not forsake His godly ones. They are preserved forever. But the children of the wicked will be cut off. 29 The righteous will inherit the land dwell there forever. 30 The righteous speak with wisdom and justice. 31 God's law is in his heart and his feet do not miss a step. 32 The wicked spy on the righteous intending to kill him. 33 But the LORD will not allow the righteous to be condemned.

34 Wait on the LORD and keep His ways. He will exalt you and give you the land. This will happen when the wicked are cut off.

COMMENT: When the thousand years are finished and the Lord has finally destroyed the wicked forever, He will recreate the earth and there will be room enough for everyone to have some land. There will be no mortgage, the soil will be good, and you will be able to grow whatever you like.

35 I have seen the wicked man with great power, spreading himself like a luxuriant tree. 36 Then he passes away and cannot be found. 37 Take note of the perfect man. That man's end is peace. 38 But transgressors will be destroyed, and their children will be cut off.

39 The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD. He is their strength in the time of trouble. 40 The LORD helps them and delivers them from the wicked because they take their refuge in Him.

Psalms 38 - RWB Paraphrase (22 V)
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Sorrow For Sin Brings Hope Through God Alone
1 O LORD, do not rebuke me in your wrath. Do not chasten me in Your burning anger. 2 Your arrows stick fast in me and Your hand is pressing me down. 3 Your indignation has made me sick to the core, 4 for my iniquities are higher than my head. I am weighed down with them. 5 My folly has brought me festering wounds. 6 I am bowed down and I mourn all the day. 7 My loins burn and my flesh is unsound. 8 I groan because of my crushed heart. 9 Lord, You know my need. Nothing is hidden from You. 10 My heart throbs as my strength fails. The light has gone out of my eyes. 11 My family and friends want nothing to do with me. 12 Snares are laid for me by those seeking my life. Treachery is all around me. 13 I am as a deaf and mute man who does not open his mouth. 14 Yes, I cannot hear and I make no arguments. 15 My hope is in You, O LORD. You will answer. 16 I have said, "May they not rejoice over me when I slip as they multiply their advantage over me." 17 I am about to fall. My sorrow is continually before me.

COMMENT: Jesus must have had these thoughts at the time of His final trial.

18 I confess my iniquity. I am full of anxiety because of my sin. 19 But my enemies are strong, and many are those who wrongfully hate me. 20 Those who repay evil for good oppose me, because I follow what is good. 21 "Do not forsake me, O LORD my God. Be not far from me!" 22 Help me quickly. You are my salvation!

Psalms 39 - RWB Paraphrase (13 V)
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Apart From God Life Is Fleeting And Empty
1 I said, "I will take heed to my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me." 2 While I was silent and refraining from good, my sorrow only grew worse. 3 Even before I spoke my heart burned within me. Then I said, 4 "Lord, show me how long I shall live, and help me to see how frail I am." 5 "You have made my days as a handbreadth and my years are as nothing before You. Surely every man at his best is as a mere breath." 6 "Men walk about as a phantom, here for only a little while. That which excites them and their riches come to nothing." 7 "And now, Lord, for what do I wait? You are my only hope." 8 "Deliver me from all my transgressions, and keep me from being reproached by the foolish." 9 "O LORD, You are my only hope." 10 "Remove Your plague from me, otherwise I shall perish." 11 "You chasten a man with reproofs for his iniquity. He is consumed as a moth. Surely every man is a mere breath." 12 "Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry, Do not be silent at my tears, for like my fathers I am a sojourner with You." 13 Spare me, that I may recover my strength before I depart and cease to exist.

Psalms 40 - RWB Paraphrase (17 V)
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Doing God's Will Can Require Patience
1 I waited patiently for the LORD and He leaned down and listened to me. 2 He brought me out of the miry clay of destruction and set my feet on firm ground. 3 He placed a new song of praise to God in my mouth. As a result, many will see and trust in the LORD with fear. 4 How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust. He has not turned to the proud, nor to those who live by falsehood.

5 O LORD, You have made so many wonders, and yet You think of us. There is no one to compare with You. Your wonders are too numerous to count.

6 You require more than burnt offerings and meal offerings. 7 Then I said, "Behold, I come. In the scroll of the book it is written of me."

COMMENT: This is about Jesus coming to be our sacrifice, giving His life for us.

8 "I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your Law is within my heart."

COMMENT: More than anyone else, Jesus delighted to do the will of His Father.

9 I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation, Behold, I will not restrain my lips, O LORD, You know this.

COMMENT: Jesus did all of this.

10 I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart, but have spoken of Your faithfulness and salvation. I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and truth from the great congregation. 11 And You, O LORD, will not withhold Your compassion from me. Your lovingkindness and truth continually preserve me. 12 For evils without number surround me. My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up. They are more numerous than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails me.

13 Be pleased to deliver me quickly, O LORD. 14 Let those who seek to destroy my life be humiliated. 15 Let them be appalled by their own shame.

16 But let all who seek You rejoice. Let those who love Your salvation magnify You, O LORD! 17 I am afflicted and needy, so be mindful of me, O LORD. You are my help. Do not delay, O my God.

Psalms 41 - RWB Paraphrase (13 V)
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A Prayer For God's Mercy While Feeling Sick Or Abandoned
1 The one who does something for the poor will be delivered by God in his day of trouble, 2 and the LORD will protect him and keep him alive. He shall be called blessed upon the earth. 3 When he gets sick the LORD will restore him to health.

4 I have said, "Be gracious to me, O LORD. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against you." 5 My enemy speaks evil against me and wonders when I will die. 6 When he comes to see me he speaks falsely.

7 Those who hate me whisper together against me as they devise my hurt. They say, 8 "An evil disease has come upon him. He will not get up again." 9 Even my close friend whom I trusted has lifted his heel against me.

COMMENT: Is this about Judas Iscariot?

John 17:12 "While I was with them I kept them in Your name. None of them are lost except the son of perdition, so that scripture will be fulfilled."

10 O LORD, be gracious to me, and lift me up that I may repay them. 11 I know that You favor me, because my enemy doth not triumph over me. 12 You uphold me in my integrity, and You set me in Your presence forever. 13 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel. He is from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.

Psalms 42 - RWB Paraphrase (11 V)
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A Thirst For God
1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God. 2 I thirst for the living God. When shall I appear before You? 3 My tears have been my only food day and night, while my foes keep asking me, "Where is your God?" 4 This is always on my mind as I pour out my soul to You. I used to go to Your house with everyone else, giving thanks and praise to You with joy at Your festival.

5 I ask myself why I despair? I must hope in God that I will once again praise Him for the help of His presence.

6 O my God, my soul despairs within me. This is why I remember You from the land of the Jordan, the peaks of Hermon and from Mount Mizar. 7 Your water falls call from the deep as waves have rolled over me. 8 The LORD will command His lovingkindness during the day, and His song will be with me in the night. This will be my prayer to the God of my life.

9 I will say to God who is my rock, "why have You forgotten me? Why am I mourning because my enemy oppresses me?" 10 As with a sword in my bones, my adversaries reproach me. They ask me, "Where is your God?"

11 O my soul, why are you in despair? I must hope in God for I will yet praise Him. He is my help.

Psalms 43 - RWB Paraphrase (5 V)
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Hope In A Time Of Discouragement
1 Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation. Deliver me from the deceitful and the unjust! 2 For You are the God of my strength, so why have You rejected me? Why does my enemy oppress me? 3 Send out Your light and truth to lead me. Bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacles. 4 Then I will go before the altar of my God who is my exceeding joy and I will praise Him with the lyre. 5 O my soul, why are you in despair? I will hope in God for I shall once again praise Him. He is my help.

Psalms 44 - RWB Paraphrase (26 V)
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A Plea For Victory For The Battle Weary And Defeated
1 O God, we have heard from our fathers what You did for them in their days long ago. 2 You drove out the nations with Your own hand, afflicting them and spreading them abroad. 3 They were unable to defend their own land for their strength could not save them from Your hand. 4 O God, You are my king. Command Your victories for Jacob. 5 Through You we will push back our enemies. By Your name we will tread them down so that they do not rise again. 6 I will not trust in my bow or my sword to save me. 7 It is You who has saved us from our enemies, putting them to shame. 8 We boast in You all day long and give thanks to Your name forever. 9 But now You have rejected us and brought us to dishonor. You do not go out with our armies. 10 You cause us to turn back from our adversaries, and they take spoil from us. 11 We are as sheep to be consumed and scattered among the nations. 12 You are selling Your people for too little.

13 We have become a reproach to our neighbors and a derision to those around us. 14 We are a byword among the nations and a laughingstock. 15 I am continually overwhelmed by my humiliation, 16 in the face of those who revile me. 17 Though all of this has happened to us, we do not revile You. We have kept Your covenant. 18 Our steps have not turned back from You. 19 But You have crushed us in a place of destruction and caused the shadow of death to pass over us. 20 If we had forgotten Your name, or reached out to a strange God, 21 you would have known of it, for You know the secrets of the heart. 22 For Your sake we are killed all day long. We are as sheep to be slaughtered.

23 Arouse Yourself. Why do You sleep, O LORD? Wake up and do not reject us forever. 24 Why do You hide Your face and forget us in our affliction? 25 For our soul has sunk down to the dust and our bodies cleave to the earth. 26 Rise up! Be our help for the sake of Your lovingkindness.

Psalms 45 - RWB Paraphrase (17 V)
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A Poem To The King On The Occasion Of His Wedding
1 My heart overflows as I address these verses to the King. My tongue wants to say many things.

2 You are fairer than the sons of men. Grace is on your lips and God has blessed You forever. 3 In Your splendor and majesty, gird Your sword on Your thigh, O Mighty One! 4 Ride victoriously for the cause of truth, meekness and righteousness. 5 Your arrows are sharp and no one can stand against You. They pierce the hearts of those who oppose You. 6 Your throne is forever, O God. The scepter of Your kingdom is uprightness. 7 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God has anointed You with the oil of joy above Your brethren. 8 Your garments are fragrant with myrrh, aloes and cassia. Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made You glad. 9 Kings' daughters are among Your noble ladies, and at Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir. 10 Listen, O daughter, give attention and incline your ear. Forget your people and your father's house, 11 so that the King will desire Your beauty. Because He is your Lord, bow down to Him. 12 The daughter of Tyre will come with a gift, and the rich among the people will seek your favor. 13 The King's daughter is all glorious within. Her clothing is interwoven with gold. 14 She will be led to the King in an embroidered wedding garment. The virgins who are her companions follow her. 15 They rejoice as they are led forth to enter the King's palace. 16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers, and become princes in all the earth. 17 I will cause Your name to be remembered in all generations, and peoples will give You thanks forever and ever.

Psalms 46 - RWB Paraphrase (11 V)
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God Is Always There To Help
1 God is our refuge and strength, and always there when we need His help. 2 For this reason we will not fear though the earth be moved and the mountains slide into the sea, 3 and cause the sea to roar.

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God where the Most High dwells. 5 God is in the midst of her. She will not be moved, for God will help her at first light.

6 The nations raged, kingdoms tottered, He raised His voice, and the earth melted.

COMMENT: This sound like the moment when the wicked gather around the New Jerusalem to take the city and fire falls from God and destroys them along with Satan.

7 The LORD of hosts is with us. Jacob's God is our strength. 8 Come see the works of the LORD, who has made the earth desolate.

COMMENT: There is nothing left when God has finished erasing all traces of sin.

9 He makes wars to cease all over the earth. He breaks the weapons of war and burns the chariots.

10 Cease striving and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations of the earth. 11 The LORD of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our strength.

Psalms 47 - RWB Paraphrase (9 V)
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God Is Still King Of The World
1 Clap your hands, all peoples. Shout to God with the voice of joy. 2 For the LORD Most High is to be feared. He is a great King over all the earth. 3 He puts nations under our feet. 4 He arranges our inheritance, giving to us the One He loves.

COMMENT: By giving us Jesus as our Redeemer, He has shared His most precious gift to us.

5 God has gone up with a shout, and the sound of a trumpet. 6 Sing praises to God, O sing praises to our King. Sing praises. 7 For He is king of all the earth. Sing praises with understanding.

COMMENT: Our praise to God should be lofty with more than repetition for repitition's sake. Our music should show our understanding of the marvel of salvation.

8 God sits on His throne reigning over the nations. 9 The people of the God of Abraham gather together, for the leaders of the earth belong to God. He is greatly exalted.

COMMENT: This surely sounds like the time when the earth has been restored as described in Revelation 21 and 22.

Psalms 48 - RWB Paraphrase (14 V)
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We Have Joy, Security And Salvation In God's Presence
1 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God on His holy mountain. 2 Mount Zion is beautiful for situation, and the joy of the whole earth. It is on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

3 God is known there as a place of refuge. 4 For the kings of the earth assembled themselves, and passed by together. 5 When they saw the city they marveled, and fled in terror.

COMMENT: It sounds like the wicked gathered outside the New Jerusalem in Revelation 20.

6 Panic seized them causing them to be in great anguish, crying out like a woman in childbirth. 7 You send an east wind breaking up the ships of Tarshish. 8 What we have heard we have now seen in the city of the LORD of Hosts. God will establish His city forever.

9 We have thought about Your lovingkindness, O God, who sits in the midst of His temple. 10 As is Your name, O God, so are Your praises to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is full of righteousness. 11 Let Mount Zion be glad, and let the daughters of Judah rejoice because of Your judgments. 12 Walk about Zion and count her towers. 13 Consider her fortifications. Look through her palaces, that you may tell of it to the next generation. 14 For such is our God, forever and ever. He will guide us as long as we live.

Psalms 49 - RWB Paraphrase (20 V)
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Trusting In Worldly Possessions Is Futile
1 Hear this, all peoples. 2 I am addressing low and high, rich and poor. 3 My mouth will speak wisdom and the meditation of my heart will be understanding.

COMMENT: This is surely best applied to Jesus.

4 I will incline my ear to a parable and express deep things upon the harp. 5 Why should I fear in the days of evil, when iniquity is all around me? 6 I should not be distressed by those who trust in their wealth. 7 No one can ransom his brother, 8 for the redemption of his soul is costly, 9 and he cannot live forever. 10 Even wise men die. This is true for those without sense, too. Everything they have is left to someone else. 11 They may feel as though they will last forever, having places named after them. 12 But a man in his pomp will not last forever. He perishes like the beasts. 13 This is the way it is for the foolish and their posterity who believe everything they say. 14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave where their beauty is consumed. When morning comes others will take their place.

15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for He will receive me. 16 Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich and the glory of his house is increased. 17 For when he dies, nothing goes with him. In fact, his glory goes down to the grave with him. 18 Though men congratulate him while he is alive, 19 he shall follow the way of his fathers who never again see the light.

COMMENT: He seems to have no idea what is coming when he does not rely on God for his understanding.

20 Man in his pomp is like the beasts who are without understanding.

COMMENT: Pomp is a dangerous condition for it focuses away from God and on self.

Psalms 50 - RWB Paraphrase (23 V)
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True Faith Contrasted With False Faith
1 The mighty LORD God, has spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun until it goes down. 2 He has shown forth out of Zion in perfection and beauty. 3 Our God shall come, and not keep silent. A fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous around Him. 4 He summons the heavens above, and the earth, to judge His people. 5 He says, "Gather My godly ones to Me, those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice." 6 The heavens declare His righteousness, for God Himself is judge. 7 "Hear, O My people Israel, I will testify against you. I am God, your God." 8 "I do not reprove you for your sacrifices. Your burnt offerings are continually before Me." 9 "I shall require no young bull or male goats from you." 10 "Every beast is already Mine." 11 "I know every bird of the mountains and everything that moves in the field. These are Mine." 12 "If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world and all it contains belongs to Me." 13 "Shall I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of male goats?"

14 "Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and pay your vows to the Most High." 15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble, and I will rescue you. In this way you will honor Me. 16 But to the wicked God says, "What right have you to tell of My statutes and speak of My covenant?" 17 "You hate discipline, and you cast My words behind you." 18 "When you see a thief, you are pleased, and you associate with adulterers." 19 "Your tongue frames deceit and speaks evil." 20 "You speak against your neighbor, even slandering your mother's son." 21 "You have done these things and I have kept silent. You thought that I was just like you. But I will reprove you and after stating your case, I will set things right while you watch." 22 "You have forgotten God, but consider this, lest I destroy you so that no one can deliver you." 23 "He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me, and to him who correctly orders his ways, I will show the salvation of God."

COMMENT: Being thankful and keeping our promises is a way of being like God and therefore honoring Him.

Psalms 51 - RWB Paraphrase (19 V)
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A Plea For Mercy, Forgiveness And Cleansing
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness. Blot out my transgressions according to Your great compassion. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 I know my transgressions, for my sin is ever before me. 4 I have sinned against You and done evil in Your sight. You are justified when You speak and blameless in Your judgment.

5 Behold. I was brought forth in iniquity. In sin my mother conceived me.

COMMENT: He is not making an excuse for his sin. Rather, he is saying that he has always been sinful.

6 You desire truth in my innermost being. You will make my hidden part to know wisdom.

COMMENT: Lord, make Your truth to be a part of my very fiber.

7 Purify 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, and let the bones You have broken rejoice. 9 Hide Your face from my sins and blot out my iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will be converted to You. 14 Deliver me from the guilt of having shed blood, O God of my salvation. Then my tongue shall joyfully sing of Your righteousness.

15 O LORD, open my lips, that I may declare Your praise. 16 For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it. Burnt offering does not pleased You. 17 The sacrifice You desire is a broken spirit. The heart that is broken and contrite You will not despise. 18 Do good to Zion by building the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then You will delight in the righteous sacrifice, and burnt offering. Then young bulls will be offered on Your altar.

Psalms 52 - RWB Paraphrase (9 V)
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God Will Judge The Evil Doer
1 Why do you boast in your evil, O mighty man? It is God's goodness that endures forever. 2 Your tongue is like a sharp razor, devising destruction and working deceit. 3 You love evil more than good. You prefer falsehood to truth. 4 You love words that devour. 5 But God will uproot you from the land of the living. 6 The righteous will witness this, saying, 7 "Behold the man who would not make God his refuge. He trusted in his riches and strengthened himself in his wickedness." 8 "But for my part, I am compare a green olive tree in the house of the LORD. I will trust in His mercy forever." 9 "And I will give thanks forever because of what He has done. I will wait on His name in the presence of His saints."

Psalms 53 - RWB Paraphrase (6 V)
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Everyone Has Sinned
1 The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." In his corruptness he has committed abominable iniquity. No one does good. 2 God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there is anyone who understands, who seeks after God. 3 They have all turned aside and become corrupt. Not one of them does good. 4 Are the workers of iniquity without knowledge. They devour My people like bread and have not called upon God?

5 So they came to have fear where there had been no fear. God has scattered the bones of those who came against you. You were able to put them to shame because God rejected them. 6 Oh that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores His captive people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

COMMENT: Is this a longing for the Redeemer to come from God?

Psalms 54 - RWB Paraphrase (7 V)
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A Call For God To Overcome The Enemy
1 Save me by Your name, O God, and vindicate me by Your strength. 2 Hear my prayer and listen to my request. 3 Strangers have risen against me. They are violent and seek my life. They do not follow You, O God. 4 But You are my helper. You sustains my soul. 5 You will repay the evil of my foes and destroy them. 6 I will sacrifice to You, and praise Your name, O LORD, for Your are good. 7 For You have delivered me from all trouble. My eye has seen what You are planning for my enemies.

Psalms 55 - RWB Paraphrase (23 V)
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Deep Dismay Over The Treachery Of A Close Friend
1 Give ear to my prayer, O God, and do not hide Yourself from my supplication. 2 Give heed to me. I am restless and distracted in my complaint. 3 The voice of the enemy, the pressure from the wicked have caused this. They hold a grudge and bring down much trouble upon me. 4 My heart is in anguish and I am afraid of death. 5 I tremble with fear. Horror has overwhelmed me. 6 If only I had wings like a dove, I would fly away and rest. 7 I would find a place far away in the wilderness, 8 and hasten to my refuge away from the stormy wind. 9 Confuse the tongue of my enemy, O LORD. I have seen the violence and strife in the city. 10 Day and night they go around upon the walls devising iniquity and mischief. 11 Destruction, oppression and deceit are in the streets. 12 If it was an enemy doing this I could bear it. 13 But it is my companion and close acquaintance who is doing this. 14 We had good times together as we walked with the people in the house of God. 15 Let death come to deceitful people, for evil is in their dwelling.

16 As for me, I will call upon the LORD and He will save me. 17 Evening, morning and at noon, I will cry aloud to Him and He will hear my voice, 18 redeeming my soul in peace from the battle against me, for many strive with me.

19 God who is enthroned from old, will hear and answer, for He does not change. 20 They have put forth their hand against those who were at peace with them, violating their covenant. 21 Their speech was a smooth as butter, but their heart was about to make war. After their soft words they drew their swords.

22 Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. 23 But You, O God, will bring the wicked to their destruction. They are men of bloodshed and deceit. They will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You.

Psalms 56 - RWB Paraphrase (13 V)
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Trust In God's Care In The Midst Of Fear
1 Be gracious to me, O God, for man has trampled upon me and this goes on all day long. 2 They have done this in their pride. 3 But when I am afraid, I will trust in You. 4 I praise You, and I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me? 5 They continually distort my words. All their thoughts are against me for evil. 6 They plan to take my life. They watch my steps and attack. 7 Because of their wickedness, cast them down, O God! 8 You have seen how I have been forced to wander. Keep an account in Your book as You remember my tears. 9 When they realize that You are with me, my enemies will have to turn back. 10 I will praise Your word, O LORD.

11 In God I have placed my trust. I shall not be afraid, for what can mere man do to me? 12 Your vows are binding upon me, O God. I will render thank offerings to You. 13 For You have delivered my soul from death. Will You keep my feet from stumbling, so that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

Psalms 57 - RWB Paraphrase (11 V)
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God Is Faithful To Help And Love In Times Of Trouble
1 Be gracious to me, O God, for my soul takes refuge in You. Under the shadow of Your wings I will remain until destruction has passed by. 2 I will cry to God Most High, who accomplishes all things for me. 3 God will save me from the reproach of the one who tramples upon me. He will send forth His mercy and truth from heaven. 4 I am among lions. I lie down among those who breath fire. Their teeth are as spears and arrows, and their tongue is a sharp sword. 5 Be exalted above the heavens, O God. Let Your glory be above all the earth. 6 They have prepared a net for where I walk. My soul is bowed down. They dug a pit before me, and then they fell into it themselves.

7 My heart is steadfast, O God. I will sing Your praises! 8 Awake, my soul! I will awaken the dawn with harp and lyre! 9 I will give thanks to You, O LORD. I will sing praises to You among the nations. 10 For Your mercy is as high as the heavens and Your truth reaches to the clouds. 11 Be exalted above the heavens, O God, and let Your glory be above all the earth.

Psalms 58 - RWB Paraphrase (11 V)
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A Prayer For God's Justice
1 Do the gods speak righteously and give upright judgment, O sons of men? 2 No. And you work unrighteousness with violence on your hands. 3 The wicked speak lies from the day they are born. 4 They have venom like that of a serpent, even the deaf cobra, 5 which cannot hear the voice of a charmer or one who casts spells. 6 O LORD God, shatter them and break off their fangs. 7 Let them be carried away with the water that runs off. Keep them from shooting their arrows. 8 Let them be as a snail which melts away as it crawls along, and like the miscarriages of a woman which never see the sun. 9 He will quickly sweep them away with a whirlwind. 10 The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance, and will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. 11 Men will say, "Surely there is a reward for the righteous. Surely there is a God who judges on earth."

Psalms 59 - RWB Paraphrase (17 V)
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Prayer And Praise For God's Saving Help
1 Deliver me from my enemies, O my God. Set me securely on a high place away from those who rise up against me. 2 Deliver me from those who do iniquity and save me from men of bloodshed. 3 For they have set an ambush against me. They attack me, but not for any wrong I have done, O LORD. 4 Though I am without guilt, they set themselves against me. Look and see. Help me. 5 O LORD God of Israel, awake to punish all the nations. Do not be gracious to those who practice treachery. 6 They go around the city at evening howling like a dog. 7 They belch forth evil killing words, saying to themselves, "There is no one to hear and save them." 8 But you laugh at them for their mistaken ideas.

9 God is my strength and I will watch for Him. 10 In His mercy He will meet me and let me look with triumph at my foes. 11 Do not slay them, lest they forget what You have done. Scatter them as You bring them down. 12 Because of their prideful words, curses and lies, 13 completely destroy them that they may be no more. Then men everywhere will know that God rules in Jacob.

14 They keep coming around the city in the evening, howling like dogs. 15 They look for food and growl if they are not satisfied. 16 But I am going to sing in the morning of Your strength and mercy, O God, for You have been my refuge in the day of my distress. 17 You are my strength. I will sing praises to You, for You are my defense and have shown me mercy.

Psalms 60 - RWB Paraphrase (12 V)
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Real Help Comes From God Alone
1 O God, you have rejected us and we are broken. Restore us in spite of Your anger. 2 You have made the land quake and split it open. Heal its breaches, for it is about to fall. 3 You have made Your people experience hardship. The wine You have given us makes us stagger. 4 You have given a banner of truth to those who fear You, and You want it displayed. 5 With Your right hand deliver Your beloved.

6 God has spoken in His holiness, saying, "I will portion out Shechem and measure out the valley of Succoth." 7 "Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine. Ephraim is the helmet of My head, and Judah is My scepter." 8 "Moab is My wash basin. Over Edom I shall place My shoe. I shout in triumph, O Philistia!"

9 Who will bring me into the besieged city? Who will lead me to Edom? 10 Have You not rejected us, O God? And will You not go out with our armies? 11 Give us help against our adversary, for we cannot deliver ourselves. 12 Our victory shall be through God. He will tread down our adversaries.

Psalms 61 - RWB Paraphrase (8 V)
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Prayer For Security And Assurance
1 Hear my cry, O God, and give heed to my prayer. 2 I am calling from the end of the earth and my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For You have been my refuge, and a tower of strength against my enemy. 4 Let me dwell in Your tent forever, taking refuge in the shelter of Your wings.

5 You have heard my vows, O God, and have given me the inheritance of those who fear Your name. 6 You will prolong the king's life, and His years will be for many generations. 7 He will abide before God forever. Prepare Your mercy and truth that they may preserve him. 8 So I will sing praises to Your name forever, as I perform my vows each day.

Psalms 62 - RWB Paraphrase (12 V)
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Placing All Hope In God
1 My soul waits upon God in silence. My salvation comes from Him. 2 He alone is my rock, my salvation and defence. I shall not be greatly shaken.

3 How long will you continue to plan mischief against a man? As a wall that is leaning and about to fall, so will your end be. 4 Your only goal is to bring them down from their high position. They delight in falsehood. They give blessings, while in their heart they have only curses.

5 My soul waits in silence for God. He is my only hope. 6 He alone is the rock of my salvation. In His strength I shall not be shaken. 7 On God my salvation and glory rest. He is my refuge and the Rock of my strength. 8 Trust in Him at all times, O people. Pour out your heart before Him, for God is a refuge to us.

9 Men of low degree are vane and given to lies. When weighed in the balance, they are lighter than a breath. 10 Do not trust in oppression and do not find your hope through robbery. Do not set your heart on increased riches. 11 God has spoken this truth, and power belongs to Him. 12 To Him belongs mercy, for You apportion to each man according to his work.

Psalms 63 - RWB Paraphrase (11 V)
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A Desire For God's Presence, Provision And Protection
1 O God, You are my God. I shall early seek You. My soul thirsts for You, and my flesh yearns for You in a dry and waterless land. 2 Thus I have seen Your power and glory in the sanctuary. 3 My lips will praise You, for Your lovingkindness is better than life. 4 Thus I will bless You as long as I live. I will lift up my hands in Your name. 5 My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth offers praises with joyful lips. 6 I think about You in the night on my bed, 7 for You have been my help. In the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy. 8 My soul clings to You as Your right hand keeps me from falling. 9 Those who seek to destroy my life will go into the depths of the earth. 10 They will be given over to the power of the sword and eaten by the wild animals. 11 But the king will rejoice in God. Everyone who swears by Him will glory in Him, for the mouths of those who speak lies will be shut.

Psalms 64 - RWB Paraphrase (10 V)
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A Complaint Against Conspiracy
1 Hear my complaint, O God, and preserve my life from the dread of the enemy. 2 Hide me from the secret counsel of evildoers. 3 They have sharpened their tongue as a sword, and their bitter words are like arrows. 4 They are not afraid to shoot at the blameless from where they hide. 5 They hold to their evil purpose, laying snares and believing no one will see them, 6 while they devise injustices from deep within their heart.

7 But God will suddenly wound them with His arrow. 8 They will stumble and their own words will be used against them. 9 Then all men will know that God knows everything about a man. 10 The righteous will be glad as they trust in the LORD and glory in Him.

Psalms 65 - RWB Paraphrase (13 V)
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God Provides Abundantly
1 There will be silence before You, and praise in Zion, O God. Vows will be performed to You. 2 You hear the prayer of all who come to You. 3 Iniquities prevail against me, but You forgive my transgressions. 4 How blessed is the one You choose to dwell in Your courts. We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house. 5 You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God. You may be trusted by all the earth.

6 You establish the mountains by Your strength. 7 You still the roaring seas. You also still the tumult of the people.

COMMENT: Jesus did this from a boat on Galilee.

8 Those at the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your wonders. You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy. 9 You visit the earth and enrich it. You provide water and prepare grain. 10 You soften it with showers and bless the growth.

11 You have crowned the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with fatness. 12 The pastures and the hills gird themselves with rejoicing. 13 Flocks clothe meadows and the valleys are covered with grain. Yes, they shout for joy.

Psalms 66 - RWB Paraphrase (20 V)
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God Answers Prayer
1 Shout joyfully to God, all the earth, 2 and sing the glory of His name. Make His praise glorious. 3 Say to God, "How awesome are Your works! Because of Your great power Your enemies submit to You." 4 "All the earth will worship and sing praises to Your name."