Chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150

Psalms 1 - RWB Paraphrase (6 V)
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Life Has Two Roads
1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the path of sinners, or sit with the scoffers! 2 He delights in the law of the LORD, and meditates on it day and night. 3 He will be like a tree rooted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season and its leaf does not wither. In whatever he does he prospers. 4 It is not so for the wicked. They are like chaff blown away by the wind. 5 For this reason the wicked will not stand in the judgment, or be part of the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the LORD will remember the righteous, but the wicked will perish.

Psalms 2 - RWB Paraphrase (12 V)
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God's Ultimate Rule
1 Why are the nations in an uproar? Why do the people devising vain plans? 2 The kings and rulers counsel together against the LORD and His Anointed, saying, 3 "Let us be free of their authority over us!" 4 The LORD sits in the heavens and laughs at them. 5 He will speak to them in His anger, and terrify them, saying, 6 "I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain." 7 "I will surely tell of the LORD's decree. He had said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.'" 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!

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.

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.

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. 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. 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.

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

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.

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!"

10 The LORD sat as King during the great flood. Yes, He sits as King forever. 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? 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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." 8 "I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your Law is within my heart." 9 I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation, Behold, I will not restrain my lips, O LORD, You know 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

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

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."

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

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. 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."

5 Come and see the works of God, whose deeds are awesome toward the sons of men. 6 He turned the sea into dry land, and they passed through the river on foot. Let us rejoice in Him! 7 He rules by His might forever while keeping watch on the nations. The rebellious must not exalt themselves.

8 Bless our God, O peoples, and sound His praise abroad, 9 who keeps us in life and does not allow our feet to slip. 10 For You have tried us, O God. You have refined us as silver is refined. 11 You laid heavy burdens on us. 12 We went through fire and water as You made men to ride over us. Afterwards You brought us into a place of abundance.

13 I shall come into Your house and pay my vows to You, 14 which I made when I was in distress.

15 I shall offer You burnt offerings of fat beasts, of bulls, male goats and the smoke of rams.

16 Come and hear, all who fear God, and I will tell of what He has done for me. 17 I cried to Him and extolled Him with my tongue. 18 If I keep wickedness in my heart, the LORD will not hear. 19 But He certainly has heard, and given heed to the voice of my prayer. 20 Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, or kept His mercy from me.

Psalms 67 - RWB Paraphrase (7 V)
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Joy Comes From Telling The World About God
1 Be gracious to us, O God, and bless us. Cause your face to shine upon us, 2 so that Your way may be known to all the earth, and Your salvation in all nations. 3 Let all the peoples praise You, O God. 4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You will judge the peoples with uprightness and guide the nations on the earth. 5 Let all the people praise You. 6 The earth has yielded its produce, for You have blessed us. 7 You bless us so that the people throughout the entire earth may fear You.

Psalms 68 - RWB Paraphrase (35 V)
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Recount God's Glory And Power
1 Let God arise. Let His enemies be scattered. Let those who hate Him flee before Him. 2 Drive them away like smoke. Let the wicked perish before God the way wax melts before the fire. 3 And let the righteous rejoice and exult in gladness before Him. 4 Sing to God, sing praises to His name. Lift up a song for the LORD, and exult in Him. 5 From His holy habitation He is a father to the fatherless and a fair judge for the widows. 6 He makes a home for the lonely and leads prisoners into prosperity. Only the rebellious dwell in a parched land. 7 O God, when You went before Your people, as You marched through the wilderness, 8 the earth quaked, rain fell in Your presence, and Sinai quaked at the presence of the God of Israel. 9 You gave plenty of rain and confirmed Your inheritance where the land had been parched. 10 You prepared Your goodness for the poor, O God. 11 The LORD gave the word and great was the company of those that proclaimed it. 12 Kings and their armies fled, and those who remained at home divided the spoil! 13 When you lie down among the sheepfolds, You are like the wings of a dove covered with silver, having feathers of glistening gold. 14 When the Almighty scattered the kings, Salmon was white with snow. 15 Bashan is a mountain of God with many peaks. 16 Why, O mountains, do you look with envy at the mountain which God has chosen for His abode? Surely He will dwell in it forever.

17 God has thousands upon thousands of chariots and many angels. He is among them at Sinai in His holiness. 18 You have ascended on high, led captive Your captives, and received gifts among men. Even the rebellious recognize You as the LORD God. 19 Blessed be the LORD who is our salvation and bears our burden every day. 20 He is a God of deliverance and when we escape death, it is because of Him.

21 Surely God will destroy those who continue their guilty deeds. 22 The LORD said, "I will bring them back from Bashan, and from the depths of the sea," 23 that your foot may shatter them and your dogs lick up their blood." 24 They have seen Your procession into the sanctuary, O God, my King. 25 The singers went first, followed by the musicians. After them came the maidens playing their tambourines. 26 Let the congregation bless God, who is the LORD and the fountain of Israel.

27 There is Benjamin, the youngest, ruling them. The princes of Judah in their throng, The princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali. 28 Your God has commanded your strength, that You may show yourself strong, O God, who has acted on our behalf. 29 Kings will bring gifts to you at your temple in Jerusalem. 30 Rebuke those who work against You, until they all submit, and come bringing their gifts. Scatter those who love war. 31 Envoys will come from Egypt and Ethiopia will quickly reach out to God. 32 Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth, Sing praises to the LORD. 33 He who rides upon the highest heavens from ancient times, speaks with a mighty voice. 34 Recognize His strength and majesty over Israel. 35 O God, You are awesome. The God of Israel gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be our God!

Psalms 69 - RWB Paraphrase (36 V)
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A Cry Of Distress In A Sea Of Trouble
1 Save me, O LORD, for the waters threaten my life. 2 The mire is pulling me down, and I do not have a foothold. I have come into deep waters, and a flood overflows me. 3 I am weary from crying. My throat is parched. My eyes are failing as I wait for God. 4 Those who hate me without cause are more than the hairs of my head. They are powerful and want to destroy me. I am being told to restore what I have not stolen. 5 O LORD, You know my folly. My wrongs are not hidden from You. 6 May those who wait for You not be ashamed on account of me. May I not influence anyone to dishonor You, O God of Israel. 7 For Your sake I have born reproach and been covered with shame. 8 I have become estranged from my brothers, from my mother's sons. 9 Zeal for Your house has consumed me and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me. 10 When I wept and fasted, that also became a reproach to me. 11 I became a byword among them because I wore sackcloth. 12 They talk about me in the gate and drunkards sing songs about me. 13 But I will continue to pray to You at acceptable times, O LORD. Hear me in Your great mercy and answer me with the truth of Your salvation. 14 Deliver me from the mire. May I be delivered from those who are like deep waters. 15 May I not be swollowed up in the flood. 16 Hear me, O LORD, for Your lovingkindness is good. Turn unto me according to Your many mercies. 17 Do not hide Your face from Your servant, for I am in distress. Answer me quickly. 18 Draw near to my soul, and redeem it, delivering me because of mine enemies.

19 You know my reproach, my shame and dishonor. You see all my adversaries. 20 My heart is broken because of all of this and I am sick. I look for sympathy but I find none. 21 They gave me gall and vinegar to drink. 22 May their table become a snare. When they feel peace may it be a trap. 23 May their eyes grow dim until they cannot see, and may their loins become weak. 24 Pour out Your indignation and burning anger on them. 25 Make their camp desolate with none to dwell in their tents. 26 For they have persecuted the one You have smitten. They recount the grief of those You have wounded. 27 Add to their iniquity that they may not come into Your righteousness. 28 May they be blotted out of the book of life that is a record of the righteous. 29 But while I am in pain, may Your salvation set me securely on high.

30 I will praise the name of God with song and magnify Him with thanksgiving. 31 This will please the LORD more than sacrifices of oxen and young bulls.

32 The humble see this and are glad. Those who seek the LORD are revived. 33 For the LORD hears the needy and does not despise those who are prisoners on His account. 34 Let heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and everything that moves in them. 35 For God will save Zion and build the cities of Judah, that they may dwell there and possess the land. 36 The descendants of His servants will inherit it, and those who love His name will dwell in it.

Psalms 70 - RWB Paraphrase (5 V)
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An Urgent Prayer For Help
1 O God, hasten to deliver me. Come quickly with Your help! 2 Let those who want to kill me be humiliated. 3 When they say "Aha!" May they be turned back in shame. 4 Let those who seek You rejoice and magnify You. 5 But I am afflicted and needy. Hurry to my rescue, O God! You are my help and deliverer, O LORD. Do not delay.

Psalms 71 - RWB Paraphrase (24 V)
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God's Help Throughout Life
1 In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge. Let me never be ashamed. 2 Deliver me in Your righteousness. Incline Your ear and rescue me. 3 Be a rock of habitation where I may come continually. You have given the command to save me. You are my fortress. 4 Rescue me, O my God, from the wicked. Take me from the grasp of the ruthless. 5 For You are my hope, O LORD God. You have been my confidence from my youth. 6 I have been sustained by You from my birth. I always praise You. 7 Many consider me a marvel, for You are my strong refuge. 8 My mouth is filled with your praise and glory all the day long. 9 Do not cast me away in my old age when my strength fails. 10 My enemies are consulting together against me. 11 They say, "God has forsaken him. Pursue him, for he cannot be delivered." 12 O my God, do not be far from me. Quickly come to my aide. 13 Let those who are against me be consumed with shame. 14 But I will continue to hope and praises you ever more, 15 and speak of Your righteousness and salvation all day long. 16 I will survive because of the LORD's mighty deeds. I will tell of Your righteousness, for You alone are righteous. 17 You have taught me from my youth and I continue to declare Your wonderful deeds. 18 So even when I get old, O God, stay by me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, and Your power to all who are to come. 19 Your righteousness, O God, reaches very high. You do great things and no one is like you. 20 Though You have shown me many troubles, You will revive me and bring me up from the depth of the earth. 21 May You comfort me and increase my greatness. 22 I will also praise Your truth with a harp, O Holy One of Israel. 23 My soul, which You have redeemed, will greatly rejoice when I sing praises to you. 24 My tongue will speak of Your righteousness all day long, while those who seek my hurt are shamed.

Psalms 72 - RWB Paraphrase (20 V)
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The Making Of A Perfect King
1 Give Your judgment and righteousness to the king and his son, O God. 2 May he judge Your people with righteousness and Your poor with justice. 3 Let the mountains bring peace to the people, and the little hills righteousness. 4 May the king vindicate the afflicted, save the children of the needy and crush the oppressor. 5 Let them fear You as long as the sun and moon shall endure. 6 May his reign be like rain upon the mown grass, and like showers that water the earth. 7 In his days may the righteous flourish with abundant peace. 8 May he rule from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth. 9 Let those who dwell in the wilderness bow before him, and his enemies lick the dust. 10 Let the kings of Tarshish and of the islands bring presents, and the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. 11 And let all kings and nations bow down before him and serve him. 12 For he shall deliver the needy and afflicted when they cry for help. 13 He will have compassion on the poor, and save their lives. 14 He will rescue them from oppression and violence, because they will be precious in his sight. 15 May he live so that the gold of Sheba will be given to him. Let them pray for him continually, and bless him all day long. 16 May there be abundance of grain in the earth, like the cedars of Lebanon for quantity, and may those from the city flourish like the vegetation of the earth. 17 May his name endure forever. Let men recognize that they are blessed because of him. Let all nations call him blessed. 18 And blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone works wonders. 19 Bless His glorious name forever, and may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen, and Amen. 20 This completes the prayers of David the son of Jesse.

Psalms 73 - RWB Paraphrase (28 V)
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The Temporary Prosperity Of The Wicked And The Lasting Reward Of The Righteous
1 The truth is, God is good to those in Israel with pure hearts. 2 As for me, my feet came close to slipping as I stumbled. 3 I was envious of the wicked when I saw their prosperity. 4 They remain strong until they die. 5 They do not have the troubles of other men. 6 Pride is their adornment and a garment of violence covers them. 7 Their eye belies how good they have had it, and they have more than they could have wished for. 8 They are corrupt and speak wickedly of the oppression they have caused. 9 Their mouth has spoken against heaven and earth. 10 Their people enjoy the same in abundance. 11 They say, "How can God know? Does He even care about this?" 12 Behold the wicked, always at ease with the increase of their wealth. 13 It would seem that I have kept my heart pure in vain, 14 for I have been stricken all day long and chastened every morning. 15 If I had talked as they have, I would have betrayed Your people. 16 As I think about this it troubles me.

17 Then when I came to the sanctuary of God I understood their end. 18 Surely You have set them on a slippery place and they will go down to destruction, 19 for they will be destroyed and swept away in a moment! 20 They will be like a dream when one had awaken, having no substance. 21 When my heart was grieved I was pierced within, 22 and ignorant like a beast. 23 Nevertheless I am continually with You, You have taken hold of my right hand. 24 You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. 25 Whom do I have in heaven but You? I desire nothing more on earth. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is my strength and portion forever. 27 Those who are far from You will perish, for You destroy all who are unfaithful to You.

28 But as for me, the nearness of God is my wealth. I have made the LORD GOD my refuge, that I may tell everyone of Your works.

Psalms 74 - RWB Paraphrase (23 V)
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A Plea To God To Help His People, Defend His Cause And Remember His Promises
1 O God, why have You rejected us forever? Why are you angry with the sheep of Your pasture? 2 Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased long ago, and redeemed to be the tribe of Your inheritance in Mount Zion, where You have dwelt. 3 Turn Your footsteps toward the complete ruins of Your sanctuary. The enemy has damaged everything within it. 4 Your enemies have roared in the midst of Your meeting place. They have set up their own standards to show that the place is now theirs. 5 It is as when a man cuts down a forest of trees. 6 All its carved work they have smashed with hatchet and hammer. 7 Your sanctuary has been burned to the ground, and the dwelling place for Your name is defiled. 8 They wanted to completely subdue us and they have burned all the places of worship in the land.

9 There is no evidence of our worship in the land. Neither is there a prophet among us. 10 How long, O God, will the adversary revile and spurn Your name? 11 Why have you withdrawn Yourself from us? You could easily destroy them. 12 Yet, God is my King from of old. He works deeds of deliverance in the earth.

13 You divided the sea with Your strength, and broke the heads of the sea monsters in the waters. 14 You crushed the head of Leviathan, and gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness. 15 You broke open the springs and torrents, and dried up mighty rivers. 16 The day and the night belong to You. You prepared the sun. 17 You have established all the boundaries of the earth, and made summer and winter. 18 Remember, O LORD, the enemy has reviled You, and foolish people have spurned Your name. 19 Do not deliver the soul of Your turtledove to the wicked, or forget the life of Your afflicted forever. 20 Have respect for Your covenant, for the dark places of the earth are full of habitations of violence. 21 O let not the oppressed return in shame. Let the poor and needy praise Your name.

22 Arise, O God, and plead Your own cause. Remember how fools reproaches You all day long. 23 Do not ignore Your adversaries whose cries rise against You continually.

Psalms 75 - RWB Paraphrase (10 V)
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God Is The Final Judge And The Wicked Will Get Their Final Reward
1 We give thanks to You, O God, for Your name is near, and men declare Your wondrous works.

2 "At the set time I will judge with equity." 3 "The earth and all who dwell in are dissolved. It is I who have firmly set its pillars." 4 "I said to the boastful, 'Do not boast,' and to the wicked, 'Do not lift up your horn.'" 5 "Do not lift up your horn on high. Do not speak with insolent pride." 6 For exaltation does not come from the east, or the west. Neither does it come from the desert.

7 But God is the Judge. He puts down one and exalts another. 8 For a cup is in the hand of the LORD, and the wine foams. It is well mixed, and He pours it out. Surely all the wicked of the earth must drink it down to its very dregs.

9 But I will declare it forever, and sing praises to the God of Jacob. 10 He will cut off all the horns of the wicked, but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.

Psalms 76 - RWB Paraphrase (12 V)
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A Call For God To Punish Evildoers
1 God is known in Judah, and His name is great in Israel. 2 His tabernacle is in Salem, and His dwelling place is in Zion. 3 It was there that He broke the flaming arrows, the shield and the sword.

4 You are more majestic than the mountains of prey. 5 The strong have been plundered. They have sunk into a deep sleep and cannot fight. 6 At Your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the rider and his horse have been cast into a dead sleep. 7 You are to be feared. Who may stand in Your presence when You are angry? 8 You caused judgment to be heard from heaven. The earth feared and stood still, 9 when God rose up to judge, and to save all the humble of the earth. 10 The wrath of man shall praise You, and You will gird Yourself with what is left of wrath.

11 Make vows to the LORD your God and fulfill them. Let all who are around Him bring gifts to Him, for He is to be feared. 12 He cuts off the breath of princes and the kings of the earth fear Him.

Psalms 77 - RWB Paraphrase (20 V)
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We Remember God's Help And Are Comforted In Hard Times
1 I cry aloud to the LORD and He will hear me as I call to Him. 2 When I was in trouble I called on the LORD, and My soul reached out to Him even though I could not be comforted. 3 Though I remembered God, I was still disturbed. I sighed and my spirit grew faint. 4 You kept my eyelids open. I was too troubled to speak.

5 I remember the days of old. 6 I will remember my song in the night. I will meditate as my spirit ponders.

7 Will the LORD reject forever? 8 Has His mercy ceased? Will His promise fail from now on? 9 Has the LORD forgotten to be merciful? In His anger has He withdrawn His compassion? 10 This caused me to grieved as I saw that the right hand of the Most High was no longer on me.

11 I will remember the works of the LORD. Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. 12 I will meditate on all Your work and ponder Your deeds. 13 Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? 14 You work wonders. You make Your strength known among the nations. 15 By Your power You have redeemed Your people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. 16 The waters saw You, O God, and were in anguish. You made the deep tremble. 17 The clouds poured out water, and Your arrows of lightning flashed. 18 Your thunder was in the whirlwind, and the lightning lit up the world as the earth trembled. 19 Your paths are in the mighty waves and no one knows where You walk. 20 You used Moses to lead your people like a flock.

Psalms 78 - RWB Paraphrase (72 V)
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History's Lessons
1 Listen, O my people, to my instruction. Incline your ears to what I say. 2 I will open my mouth in a parable, I will utter hidden things from of old, 3 things which our fathers told us. 4 We will not conceal these things from the children, but tell the generation to come the praises of the LORD, of His strength and wondrous works. 5 For He established His testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel. He commanded our fathers to teach these to their children, 6 that the generation not yet born might come to know them and tell them to their children. 7 Then they may place their confidence in God, and forget none of His works. They must keep His commandments, 8 and not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, who did not remain faithful to God. 9 The sons of Ephraim were archers well equipped with bows. Yet they turned back in the day of battle. 10 They did not keep the covenant of God, and refused to walk in His law, 11 forgetting His miracles which He had shown them. 12 He wrought wonders before their fathers in Egypt. 13 He divided the sea making the waters stand up in a heap, and led them through it. 14 He lead them with the cloud by day and with the pillar of fire at night. 15 He split the rock in the wilderness to supply abundant water. 16 He brought forth a stream to run down like a river. 17 But they still sinned against Him. In the desert they rebelled against the Most High, 18 by putting God to the test when they asked for the food they had been used to eating. 19 They spoke against Him when they asked, "Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?" 20 They said, "He gave water from the rock until the streams were overflowing. Can He give bread also? Will He provide meat for His people?" 21 When He heard these words, He was filled with wrath. A fire was kindled against Israel, 22 because they did not believe in God, or trust in His salvation. 23 Yet He commanded the clouds above and opened the doors of heaven. 24 He rained down manna upon them and gave them food from heaven to eat. 25 Men ate the food of angels which He sent in abundance. 26 He caused the east wind to turn and come from the south, 27 bringing winged fowl like the sand of the sea. 28 He let them fall into the camp all around the people. 29 He gave them their desire, and they ate and were filled. 30 Then, while the food was still in their mouths, 31 the LORD God rose up against some of their strongest men and subdued them. 32 In spite of this, they continued to sin and did not believe in His wonderful works. 33 So He brought an end to their days with a sudden terror. 34 When He killed some of them, they searched diligently for God. 35 Then they remembered that He was their rock and that the Most High was their Redeemer. 36 But their words were lies. 37 Their hearts were not truly following Him. Neither did they have faith in His covenant. 38 But He was compassionate and forgiving, and He did not destroy them, but restrained His wrath, 39 for He understood that they were but flesh, like a wind that blows past and does not come again. 40 How often they rebelled against Him in the wilderness and grieved Him in the desert! 41 Again and again they tempted God, and pained the Holy One of Israel. 42 They did not remember His power, when He redeemed them from their adversary, 43 and performed His signs in Egypt. 44 He turned the rivers and streams to blood so that it could not be drunk. 45 He sent swarms of flies and frogs without number. 46 He gave their crops to the locust, 47 and destroyed their vines with hailstones and their sycamore trees with frost. 48 The hailstones and the lightning killed their cattle. 49 In His furious anger He sent a band of destroying angels. 50 He sent the plague and did not spare them from death, 51 for He killed all the firstborn in Egypt, the first issue of the strength in the tents of Ham.

52 And He led His own people in the wilderness like a flock. 53 He led them safely so that they did not fear. And He made the sea engulfed their enemies.

54 He brought them to His holy land, to this hill country which He gained by His own right hand. 55 He drove the nations out before them and apportioned the land as their inheritance, that Israel might dwell in their tents. 56 In spite of all this, they rebelled against the Most High God, and did not keep His testimonies. 57 In their treachery they turned back from following God's clear commands just like their fathers before them. 58 They provoked the LORD with their high places, and aroused His jealousy with their graven images. 59 He was filled with wrath and utterly rejected Israel. 60 So He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men. 61 He delivered their strength into captivity by the hand of their adversary. 62 He delivered His people to the sword and vented His wrath on His inheritance. 63 Fire devoured His young men, and His virgins had no wedding songs. 64 His priests fell by the sword, and His widows could not weep.

65 Then the LORD awoke as from a sleep, like someone who had been overcome with wine. 66 He drove His enemies back, putting on them an everlasting reproach. 67 He also rejected the tent of Joseph, and did not choose the tribe of Ephraim, 68 but chose the tribe of Judah in its place, and Mount Zion which He loved. 69 And He built His sanctuary like a high palace, like the earth which He has established forever. 70 He also chose David His servant, taking him from the sheepfolds. 71 David had cared for the little lambs where he learned how to shepherd Israel, God's inheritance. 72 So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, guiding them with skillful hands.

Psalms 79 - RWB Paraphrase (13 V)
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When Outraged By Injustice, Cry Out To God Rather Than Blame Him
1 O God, the nations have invaded Your inheritance, defiled Your holy temple, and laid Jerusalem in ruins. 2 The dead bodies of Your servants have become food for the birds. Beasts of the earth devour the flesh of Your godly ones. 3 Their blood is poured out like water all around Jerusalem. There is no one to bury them. 4 We are a reproach to those around us. 5 How long will You be angry, O LORD? Will Your jealousy always burn? 6 Pour out Your wrath on the nations who do not know You and those who do not call upon You. 7 For they have laid waste Jacob's habitation. 8 Do not remember our former iniquities. Instead, let Your compassion come quickly to us for we have been brought very low. 9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name. Deliver us, and purge away our sins for Your names sake. 10 Why should the nations think You have deserted us? 11 Let the sighing of the prisoner come before You, and preserve with great power those You have appointed to die. 12 Render reproach to those who have reproached You, O LORD. 13 Then we, the sheep of Your pasture, will give You thanks forever. And all generations will tell of Your praise.

Psalms 80 - RWB Paraphrase (19 V)
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A Prayer For Revival And Restoration After Destruction
1 O Shepherd of Israel who leads Joseph, give heed to Your flock. You are enthroned above the cherubim. Shine forth! 2 Stir up Your power before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. Come and save us! 3 Restore us and cause Your face to shine upon us, O God, that we may be saved.

4 O LORD God of hosts, How long will You be angry with the prayers of Your people? 5 You have made them to drink tears in great measure. 6 You have made us an object of contention to our neighbors, and they laugh among themselves. 7 O God of hosts, restore us and cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved. 8 You brought a vine up from Egypt, rooted out the nations and planted it. 9 You made a place to plant it and it took root and filled the land. 10 Even the mountains were in it shadow. 11 It sent out its branches to the sea and its shoots to the River. 12 Why then have You broken down her hedges so that anyone passing by can pick its fruit? 13 A boar from the forest lays waste to it and all beasts of the field feed on it. 14 O God, we beseech You, turn again to us. Look down from heaven, and see and care for this vine. 15 This is the shoot that You have planted, the son whom You have strengthened for Yourself. 16 Now it has been cut down and burned with fire. They perish at the rebuke of Your countenance. 17 Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand, upon Your son whom You made strong for Yourself. 18 Revive us that we may not turn back from You, but call upon Your name. 19 O LORD God of hosts, restore us. Cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved.

Psalms 81 - RWB Paraphrase (16 V)
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A Hymn That Celebrates The Exodus From Egypt
1 Sing for joy to God our strength and shout joyfully to the God of Jacob. 2 Raise a song with the timbrel and the sweet sounding lyre and the harp. 3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the time appointed, on the solemn feast day. 4 This is an ordinance of the God of Jacob. 5 He established it for a testimony in Joseph when He went throughout the land of Egypt. I heard a language that I did not know, saying, 6 "I took the burden from his shoulder, and freed his hands from the basket." 7 "You called when in trouble and I rescued you. I proved you at the waters of Meribah."

8 "Hear and I will admonish you, O Israel, if you will listen to Me!" 9 "Let there be no strange God among you. Do not worship any foreign God." 10 "I, the LORD, am your God. I brought you up from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide and I will fill it." 11 "But My people did not listen to My voice, and Israel did not obey Me." 12 "So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart, to walk in their own devices."

13 "Oh that My people would listen to Me, and walk in My ways!" 14 "Then I would quickly subdue their enemies and turn My hand against their adversaries." 15 "Those who hate the LORD should have obeyed Him. Their time of punishment will be forever." 16 "But I would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you."

Psalms 82 - RWB Paraphrase (8 V)
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God Is A Fair Judge
1 God stands in the congregation and judges the rulers. 2 How long will you show partiality to the wicked? 3 Vindicate the weak and fatherless, Do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4 Rescue the weak and deliver the needy out of the hand of the wicked. 5 While they do not know or understand, they walk in darkness, and the foundations of the earth are shaken. 6 I said, "You are gods, and sons of the Most High." 7 "Nevertheless you will die like men and fall like any other ruler." 8 Arise, O God, judge the earth! For You shall inherit all the nations.

Psalms 83 - RWB Paraphrase (18 V)
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Someday All Will Admit That God Is In Charge
1 Do not remain quiet, O God. Do not be silent! 2 For behold, those who hate You have exalted themselves. 3 They make shrewd plans against Your people, conspiring against Your treasured ones. 4 They plan to wipe us out as a nation, that Israel may be remembered no more. 5 They have conspired together and have a single mind. They are making a covenant against You. 6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmael, Moab and the Hagrites, 7 Gebal, Ammon, Amalek, Philistia and the inhabitants of Tyre, 8 and Assyria have all joined together to a help the children of Lot. 9 Deal with them like You did with Midian, with Sisera and Jabin at the brook of Kishon, 10 when You destroyed them at Endor, and they became as dung on the ground. 11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb and all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, 12 who said, "Let us possess for ourselves the pastures of God." 13 O my God, make them like chaff before the wind. 14 Be like a fire that burns the forest and sets the mountains on fire. 15 Pursue them with Your tempest and terrify them with Your storm. 16 Fill them with dishonor, that they may seek Your name, O LORD. 17 Let them be ashamed and dismayed forever, that they may perish. 18 Then they will know that You alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth.

Psalms 84 - RWB Paraphrase (12 V)
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Gods Presence Is Our Greatest Joy
1 How lovely are Your dwelling places, O LORD of hosts! 2 My soul longs for the courts of the LORD. I sing for joy to the living God. 3 The bird has found a home, and the swallow a nest for her young. So I find rest near Your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.

4 How blessed are those who dwell in Your house and praise You! 5 How blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart glories in the ways that lead to Zion! 6 They pass through the valley of Baca where there is a spring, where the early rain covers it with blessings. 7 They go from strength to strength, and appear before God in Zion. 8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer. Listen to me, O God of Jacob! 9 You are our shield, O God. Look upon the face of Your anointed. 10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. 11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield, and He gives grace and glory, withholding nothing from those who walk uprightly. 12 O LORD of hosts, How blessed is the man who trusts in You!

Psalms 85 - RWB Paraphrase (13 V)
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Reverence Leads To Forgiveness And Restoration
1 O LORD, You showed favor to Your land, and restored Jacob from captivity. 2 You forgave the iniquity of Your people, and covered all their sin. 3 You turned from Your burning anger and withdrew Your fury. 4 Restore us, O God of our salvation, and cause Your indignation toward us to cease.

5 Will You always be angry with us? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations? 6 Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? 7 Show us Your mercy, O LORD. Grant us Your salvation.

8 I will hear what the LORD says, for He will speak peace to His people, His godly ones. But let them not turn back to their folly. 9 Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land. 10 Mercy and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed. 11 Truth springs from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. 12 Surely, the LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. 13 Righteousness shall go before him, and we will follow in His steps.

Psalms 86 - RWB Paraphrase (17 V)
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Trust In Times Of Deep Trouble
1 Bend low and hear me, O LORD. Answer me for I am needy and afflicted. 2 Preserve my soul, O God, for I am a godly man. I trust in You. Save me. 3 Be gracious to me, for I cry to You all day long. 4 I lift up my soul to You. Make it glad, O LORD. 5 For You are good, and ready to forgive. You give Your abundant mercy to all who call upon You. 6 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give heed to my supplications!

7 When I am in trouble I shall call upon You, for You will answer me. 8 There is no one like You among the gods, O LORD. None have any works like Yours. 9 You have made all the nations and they shall come and worship before You, glorifying Your name, O LORD. 10 For You are great and do wondrous deeds. You alone are God.

11 Teach me Your way, O LORD. I will walk in Your truth. Teach my heart to fear Your name.

12 I will give thanks to You with all my heart, O LORD my God. I will glorify Your name forever. 13 For Your mercy toward me is great. You have delivered my soul from the depths of the grave. 14 O God, proud men have risen up against me. Violent men seek my life. They have not set You before them.

15 But You, O LORD, are merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in mercy and truth. 16 Turn to me, and have mercy on me. Give me Your strength, and save the son of Your handmaid. 17 Show me the sign of Your favor, so that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed. O LORD, my help and my comfort.

Psalms 87 - RWB Paraphrase (7 V)
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One Day Everyone Will Gather At Jerusalem
1 His foundation is in the holy mountains. 2 The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the other places of Jacob. 3 Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God.

4 "I shall mention Rahab and Babylon among those who know Me. Behold, Philistia and Tyre with Ethiopia, and I will say, "This one was born in Zion. 5 But of Zion it shall be said, "This one and that one were born in her, " and the Most High will establish her.

6 The LORD will make a count when He registers the peoples, recognizing who was born where. 7 Then those who sing as well as those who play the flutes shall say, "All my springs of joy are in You."

Psalms 88 - RWB Paraphrase (18 V)
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God Understands Our Deepest Misery
1 O LORD, God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before You. 2 Hear my prayer! 3 For my soul is full of troubles, and I am drawing near the grave. 4 I am counted as one about to go down to the pit. I am without strength, 5 forsaken among the dead, as though already in the grave, forgotten and cut off from You. 6 You have placed me in the depths of the lowest pit, 7 and Your wrath is upon me.

8 You have removed my acquaintances and they loath me. I am shut up and cannot go out. 9 My eye grows dim from sorrow. Every day I call upon You, O LORD. I have stretched out my hands to You. 10 Will You perform wonders for the dead? Will the dead rise up to praise you? 11 Will You lovingkindness and faithfulness be declared in the grave? 12 Will Your wonders be made known in the darkness, and Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

13 But I, O LORD, have cried out to You in the morning for help. 14 Why do You hide Your face and reject my soul? 15 Since my youth I have been afflicted and about to die. I am overcome by Your terrors. 16 Your burning anger has passed over me and I have been destroyed by it. 17 They surround me all day long. 18 You have removed my loved one and friend far from me. Darkness is my closest friend.

Psalms 89 - RWB Paraphrase (52 V)
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God's Promise To Preserve David's Descendants
1 I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever. I will make known Your faithfulness to all generations. 2 For I have said, "Your mercy shall be built up forever, and Your faithfulness shall be established in the heavens."

3 "I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, saying," 4 "I will establish your seed forever, and build upon your throne throughout all generations."

5 The heavens will praise Your wonders, O LORD, and Your faithfulness in the assembly of the Holy Ones. 6 For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD? 7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints. He is to be reverenced above all those around Him? 8 O LORD God of hosts, who is like You? You are mighty and Your faithfulness surrounds You. 9 You rule the raging sea. When the waves rise up, You still them. 10 You have broken Rahab and scattered Your enemies with Your strong arm. 11 The heavens are Yours, as well as the earth and all it contains. You made it all. 12 You created the north and the south. Tabor and Hermon shout for joy at Your name. 13 You have a strong arm and Your mighty hand is exalted. 14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne. Lovingkindness and truth go before You. 15 How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound, O LORD, for they walk in the light of Your countenance! 16 They rejoice in Your name all day long and exalt in Your righteousness. 17 For You are the glory of their strength. 18 For our shield belongs to the LORD, and our king to the Holy One of Israel.

19 In times past You spoke to Your Holy One in a vision, saying, "I have exalted one who is mighty and chosen from among the people." 20 I have anointed David My servant with My holy oil. 21 With him My hand shall be established. I will strengthen him. 22 The enemy will not deceive him or afflict him. 23 For I will crush his adversaries and I strike those who hate him. 24 But My faithfulness and mercy will be with him, and in My name his horn will be exalted. 25 I will set his hand on the sea, and his right hand on the rivers. 26 He will call Me his Father, his God, and the Rock of his salvation. 27 I will make him My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. 28 My mercy will I keep for him forever, and My covenant shall be confirmed with him. 29 His descendants I will make to endure forever, and his throne as long as the heavens endure.

30 If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments, 31 if they break my statutes, and do not keep my commandments, 32 then I will punish their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with stripes. 33 But I will not break off My lovingkindness from David, nor deal falsely in My faithfulness. 34 I will not altar what I promised in My covenant. 35 Having sworn by My holiness, I will not lie to David. 36 His descendants shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before me. 37 It shall be established forever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven.

38 But You have cast off and rejected Your anointed, and have been full of wrath against him. 39 You have spurned the covenant of Your servant, and cast his crown in the dust. 40 You have broken down his walls, and have brought his strongholds to ruin. 41 All that pass by plunder him, and he has become a reproach to his neighbours. 42 You have exalted his adversaries making his enemies rejoice. 43 You have turned back his sword and made him unable to stand in battle. 44 Because of you his splendor is gone, and his throne is cast to the ground. 45 You have shortened the days of his youth and covered him with shame.

46 O LORD, will You hide Yourself forever, while Your wrath burns like fire? 47 Remember the span of my life, for have You made all men in vain? 48 What man can live without dying? Can he deliver his soul from the grave? 49 Where is Your former lovingkindness which You swore to David? 50 Remember the reproach of Your servants, O LORD. My bosom hurts from the reproach of the mighty ones, 51 with whom Your enemies have reproach your anointed. 52 Blessed be the LORD forever. Amen and Amen.

Psalms 90 - RWB Paraphrase (17 V)
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God's Eternal Nature Contrasted With The Frailty Of Man
1 Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. 2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or You had formed the earth, even from everlasting, you have been God. 3 You turn man back dust. 4 A thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday past, or like a watch in the night. 5 You have swept them away like a flood, and they fall asleep. In the morning they are like grass which sprouts up new. 6 It flourishes before noon but by evening it has withered away.

7 We have been consumed by Your anger and dismayed by Your wrath. 8 You see our iniquities. Our secret sins are before You. 9 We are in decline because of Your fury. Our years finish like a sigh. 10 The days of our lives last seventy years, perhaps eighty years if we have the strength. The best they can offer is labor and sorrow, and they are soon past, for they fly away.

11 Who understands the power of Your anger, Your fury, or the fear that is due You? 12 So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom to You.

13 Return, O LORD. How long will it be? Take pity on Your servants. 14 Satisfy us early with Your mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. 15 Make us glad according to the days You have afflicted us, and the years we have seen evil. 16 Let Your work appear to Your servants and Your majesty to their children. 17 Let the favor of the LORD our God be upon us, and confirm for us the work of our hands.

Psalms 91 - RWB Paraphrase (16 V)
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God Will Help Us When We Are In Danger
1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the LORD, "You are my refuge and fortress, My God, in whom I trust!" 3 For He is the one who delivers you from the snare of the fowler and the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge. His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark. 5 You will not be afraid of the terror by night, or the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or the destruction that lays waste at noon. 7 A thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you. 8 You will see all of this happen, and the reward of the wicked. 9 For you have made the LORD, your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place. 10 No evil shall befall you. Neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. 11 For He shall charge His angels to guard you in all your ways. 12 They will bear you up in their hands so that you do not strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will trample upon the lion and cobra.

14 Because he has loved Me and known My name, I will deliver him and set him securely on high. 15 He will call upon Me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble, and rescue and honor him. 16 I will satisfy him with long life and he will see My salvation.

Psalms 92 - RWB Paraphrase (15 V)
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Be Thankful And Faithful Every Day
1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High, 2 by declaring Your lovingkindness in the morning and Your faithfulness every night. 3 This should be done with the ten stringed lute, the harp, and with resounding music upon the lyre. 4 O LORD, You have made me glad by what You have done. I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands. 5 Your works are great and Your thoughts are very deep! 6 A senseless man has no knowledge or understanding of this. 7 The wicked sprouted up like grass and all who do iniquity flourish, so that they might be destroyed forever. 8 But You, LORD, are Most High forever. 9 Behold, Your enemies will perish. All who do iniquity will be scattered.

10 But You have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox, and I have been anointed with fresh oil. 11 I look exultantly upon my foes, as I hear of the wicked that will rise up against me. 12 The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. 13 Planted in the house of the LORD he will flourish in His courts. 14 When he is very old he will still bear fruit, be full of sap and flourish. 15 I will declare that the LORD is upright. He is my Rock and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

Psalms 93 - RWB Paraphrase (5 V)
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God Is Almighty And Does Not Change
1 The LORD reigns and is clothed with majesty. He is girded with strength and is firmly established. 2 Your throne, O LORD, is established from of old. You exist from everlasting. 3 The floods lift up their pounding waves. 4 They are louder than the sounds of the mighty breakers of the sea. Thus the LORD on high is mighty. 5 Your testimonies are fully confirmed. Holiness befits Your house forever, O LORD.

Psalms 94 - RWB Paraphrase (23 V)
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God Will Keep His People From The Severe Punishment Awaiting The Wicked
1 O LORD, God of vengeance, shine forth! 2 Rise up, O Judge of the earth, and give the proud their reward. 3 How long shall the wicked exult? 4 They speak so many arrogant words as they boast of themselves. 5 They crush Your people, O LORD, the people who are Your heritage. 6 They slay the widow and the stranger, and they murder the fatherless. 7 They say, "The LORD does not see. He pays no heed."

8 You who treat the people so badly, when are you going to wise up? 9 He who gave you eyes and ears, also sees and hears. 10 The One who rebukes the nations and teaches man knowledge shall rebuke you. 11 The LORD knows the thoughts of man, and that he is a mere breath.

12 Blessed is the man whom You chasten, O LORD, and to whom You teach Your law. 13 You grant him relief from adversity until a pit is dug for the wicked. 14 The LORD will not abandon His people, or forsake His inheritance. 15 His judgment will be righteous, and all the upright in heart will take note of it.

16 Who will take their stand for me against those who do evil? 17 If the LORD had not been my help, my soul would soon have dwelt in silence. 18 When I said, "My foot slipped, " Your mercy, O LORD, held me up. 19 When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your comforts delight my soul. 20 Can a throne of destruction have fellowship with You? 21 They work together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.

22 But the LORD is my defence, and the Rock of my refuge. 23 He has brought their wickedness upon themselves. The LORD God will destroy them.

Psalms 95 - RWB Paraphrase (11 V)
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An Invitation To Worship God
1 O come, let us sing to the LORD. Let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms. 3 For the LORD is a great God and a great King above all gods. 4 The peaks of the mountains and the depths of the earth are His. 5 The sea is His for He made it. And His hands formed the dry land.

6 Come, let us kneel down and worship before the LORD our Maker. 7 For He is our God and we are the people of His pasture. If you would hear His voice, 8 do not harden your hearts, as they did at Meribah in the day of temptation in the wilderness.

9 It was there that your fathers tested Me, even after the work they had seen Me do. 10 For forty years I grieved over that generation because they did not have a heart to know My ways. 11 Therefore, I swore in My anger that they should not enter into My rest.

Psalms 96 - RWB Paraphrase (13 V)
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The Way To Praise God
1 Sing a new song the LORD. Sing to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Sing to the LORD, bless His name, and proclaim His salvation day by day. 3 Declare His glory among the heathen, and His wonders among all peoples. 4 For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised. He is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. 6 Splendor and majesty are before Him. Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. 7 O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory of His name. Bring an offering and come into His courts. 9 Worship the LORD in holy attire. Tremble before Him, all the earth. 10 Tell it among the nations. Say, "The LORD reigns, indeed, the world is certainly His, and so it shall always be. In righteousness He will judge the peoples with equity."

11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice. Let the sea roar, and everything in it. 12 Let the field exult, and all it contains. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy, 13 for the LORD is coming to judge the earth in righteousness and truth.

Psalms 97 - RWB Paraphrase (12 V)
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Our God Is An Awesome God
1 The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice. Let the many islands be glad. 2 Clouds and thick darkness surround Him, Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. 3 Fire goes out before Him, burning up His adversaries. 4 His lightnings light up the world. Seeing this the earth trembled. 5 The mountains melt like wax in the presence of the LORD. He is the LORD of the whole earth. 6 The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the peoples see His glory. 7 Let everyone who serves graven images and boast of their idols be ashamed. All gods worship Him.

8 Zion heard this and was glad, and the daughters of Judah have rejoiced because of Your judgments, O LORD. 9 For You are the LORD Most High over all the earth, and are exalted far above all gods.

10 Hate evil, you who love the LORD. He preserves the souls of His godly ones, and He delivers them from the hand of the wicked. 11 Light is given to the righteous, and gladness to those whose hearts are upright. 12 Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous, and give thanks as you think of His holiness.

Psalms 98 - RWB Paraphrase (9 V)
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A Song Of Joy And Victory
1 Sing a new song to the LORD, for He has done wonderful things. His right hand His holy arm have gained the victory. 2 The LORD has made His salvation known, revealing His righteousness for all the nations to see. 3 He has remembered His mercy and truth toward the house of Israel. The whole earth has seen the salvation of our God.

4 Let all the earth shout joyfully to the LORD. Let them break forth in songs of joy and praise. 5 Sing praises to the LORD accompanied by a melody on the harp. 6 Accompany the joyful shouts to the King and Lord with trumpets. 7 Let the sea and everything in it roar. Let the world and those who dwell in it praise the LORD. 8 Let the rivers clap their hands and the mountains sing together for joy. 9 For the LORD is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the people of the world with equity.

Psalms 99 - RWB Paraphrase (9 V)
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Praise For God's Fairness And Holiness
1 The LORD reigns, let the peoples tremble. He is enthroned between the cherubim. Let the earth be moved! 2 The LORD is great in Zion, and exalted above all the peoples. 3 Let them praise Your great and awesome name, for it is Holy. 4 The King is mighty and loves judgment. He has established equity and executed justice and righteousness in Jacob. 5 Exalt the LORD our God and worship at His footstool, for He is Holy.

6 Moses and Aaron were among His priests. And Samuel was among those who called on His name. When they called He answered them. 7 He spoke from the pillar of cloud. They kept His testimonies and the ordinance that He gave them. 8 O LORD our God, You answered them, and were forgiving, though You did punish them for their evil deeds.

9 Exalt the LORD our God and worship at His holy hill, for the LORD is holy.

Psalms 100 - RWB Paraphrase (5 V)
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An Invitation To Enter With Joy Into God's Presence
1 Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Serve the LORD with gladness, and come before Him with joyful singing. 3 Know that the LORD is God. It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, and bless His name. 5 For the LORD is good. His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to all generations.

Psalms 101 - RWB Paraphrase (8 V)
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A Call For Help To Walk Blamelessly
1 I will sing of mercy and judgment to You, O LORD. 2 I will walk wisely in a perfect way. When will You come to me? I want to walk within my house with a perfect heart. 3 I will look at nothing wicked. I hate the work of those who turn from You. I want no part of it. 4 Any perverse person shall depart from me. I want nothing to do with evil.

5 If I see someone slandering his neighbor, I will destroy him. I cannot endure those with haughty and arrogant hearts. 6 I shall watch out for the faithful in the land. I will be served only by those who walk blamelessly. 7 He who practices deceit or speaks falsely, I will not tolerate in my house. 8 Every morning I will destroy all the wicked in the land, so as to cut off from the city of the LORD all who do iniquity.

Psalms 102 - RWB Paraphrase (28 V)
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The Cure For Distress
1 Hear my prayer, O LORD! Let my cry for help be heard. 2 Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my distress. Incline Your ear to me and answer quickly when I call. 3 For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones have been scorched. 4 My heart is smitten like grass and has withered away. I even forget to eat. 5 My bones show clearly through my flesh. 6 I am like a vulture of the wilderness, or an owl from the waste places. 7 I lie awake like a lonely bird on a housetop. 8 My enemies reproach me all day long. They even use my name as a curse. 9 I have eaten ashes like bread and mingled my drink with tears. 10 This is because of Your indignation and wrath, since You have cast me away. 11 My days are like a long shadow. I wither away.

12 But You abide forever, O LORD. Your name continues for all generations. 13 You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to be gracious to her, for the time determined by You has come. 14 Surely Your servants hold everything about Your city dear.

15 The nations will fear Your name and the kings of the earth will know of Your glory. 16 For it is the LORD who has built up Zion, and appeared there in His glory. 17 He has regarded the prayer of the destitute and has not despised them.

18 A generation yet to come will praise the LORD.

19 The LORD looks down from His holy height in heaven to gaze upon the earth. 20 He hears the groaning prisoner and sets free those doomed to death. 21 He does this so men may tell of the name of the LORD in Zion and of His praise in Jerusalem. 22 This will happen when the kingdoms assemble to worship the LORD. 23 He has weakened my strength and shortened my days. 24 I said, "O LORD, do not let me die when I have lived only half of my life. You exist throughout all generations." 25 "From of old you laid the foundations of the earth. And the heavens are the work of Your hands." 26 "All of these can become worn out like a garment that must be changed." 27 "But You are the same and Your years never end." 28 "The children of Your servants will continue and be established forever."

Psalms 103 - RWB Paraphrase (22 V)
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God Loves Us Very Much
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits. 3 He pardons your iniquities and heals your diseases. 4 He redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercy. 5 He satisfies your years with good things and renews your youth like the eagle.

6 The LORD executes righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. 7 He made known His ways to Moses, and His acts to the children of Israel. 8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in mercy.

9 He will not always strive with us, nor withhold His anger forever. 10 But He has not rewarded us according to our sins. 11 His mercy to those who fear Him is greater than the heaven is high above the earth. 12 He has removed our transgressions as far as the east is from the west. 13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. 14 He knows that we are just dust, 15 and that a man's days are like grass, though its flower flourishes, it is short lived. 16 The wind causes it to wither and it is no more.

17 But the LORD's mercy and righteousness is everlasting toward those who fear Him. 18 He does this for all who keep His covenant and remember His commandments.

19 The LORD has established His throne in the heavens. In His sovereignty He rules over all. 20 Bless the LORD, you His angels who are mighty in strength, and obey His word! 21 Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, who serve Him and do His will. 22 Bless the LORD, all His works in all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!

Psalms 104 - RWB Paraphrase (35 V)
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Appreciate God Through His Creation
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great. You are clothed with splendor and majesty, 2 you cover Yourself with a cloak of light and stretch out heaven like a curtain. 3 He lays the beams of His chambers in the waters, and makes the clouds His chariot. He walks on the wings of the wind. 4 He makes the winds His messengers, and flames of fire are His ministers. 5 You are the one who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed forever.

6 You made the deep to cover the earth as a garment until the waters stood above the mountains. 7 At Your rebuke they fled, and when You thundered, they hurried away. 8 The mountains rose and the valleys sank down to the place You had set for them. 9 You set a boundary for the waters that they would not cover the earth again.

10 He waters the valleys with the springs that flow between the mountains. 11 There the beasts of the field quench their thirst. 12 The birds of the heavens dwell by them and sing among the branches. 13 He waters the mountains from His upper chambers and the earth is satisfied with the fruit of His works. 14 He makes the grass to grow for the cattle and vegetation for the labor of man that he may eat, 15 and wine to make his heart glad, oil to put on his face and food to sustain him. 16 The trees drink their fill, even the cedars of Lebanon which He planted. 17 The birds build their nests there and the stork makes its home in the fir trees. 18 The high mountains are for the wild goats and the cliffs for the badgers to hide in. 19 He made the moon for the seasons. And the sun knows when and where it will go down. 20 You appoint darkness and it becomes night. Then all the beasts of the forest come out. 21 The young lion roars as it seeks it food from God. 22 When the sun comes up they withdraw and lie down in their dens. 23 Then man goes about his labors until evening.

24 O LORD, how many are Your works. In Your wisdom You have made everything and the earth is full of Your riches. 25 There is the wide sea in which animals swarm without number. 26 On them ships move and Leviathan sports. 27 They all wait on You to give them their food in due season. 28 You open Your hand they are satisfied. 29 When You hide Your face they are dismayed. You take away their breath, they die and return to dust. 30 When You send forth Your Spirit, they are created. And You renew the ground for another season.

31 Let the glory of the LORD endure forever, and let Him be glad in His works. 32 When He looks at the earth, it trembles. If He touches the mountains, they smoke.

33 I will sing praises to the LORD my God as long as I live. 34 Let my meditation on Him be pleasing to Him, and I shall be glad in the LORD. 35 Let sinners be consumed from the earth. Bless the LORD, O my soul. Praise the LORD!

Psalms 105 - RWB Paraphrase (45 V)
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God's Mighty Deeds Bring Israel Into The Promised Land
1 O give thanks to the LORD. Call upon His name and make known His deeds among the people. 2 Sing praises to Him and speak of His wonders. 3 Glory in His holy name and let the heart of those who seek Him rejoice. 4 Seek the LORD and His strength. Seek His face continually. 5 Remember the wonders He has done, His marvels and the judgments uttered by His mouth, 6 o seed of Abraham His servant, O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones! 7 He is the LORD our God, and His judgments are in all the earth. 8 He remembers His covenant forever, even to a thousand generations. 9 This is the covenant He made with Abraham and Isaac. 10 After that He confirmed it to Jacob as a statute, and finally to Israel as an everlasting covenant. 11 He said, "To you I will give the land of Canaan for your inheritance." 12 He made this promise to them when they were very few in number and yet strangers in the land.

13 They wandered from one kingdom to another. 14 He allowed no one to oppress them. He reproved kings for their sakes. 15 He said, "Do not touch My anointed one, and do not harm My prophets." 16 He called for a famine upon the land so that there was no bread. 17 He sent Joseph as a slave before them. 18 His feet were bound in fetters, 19 and the LORD tested him until enough time had passed. 20 The king had him released from prison, 21 and made him Lord of his house and ruler of all his possessions. 22 He could imprison whomever he wished and teach his elders wisdom.

23 Then Israel also came to Egypt to sojourn in the land of Ham. 24 God caused His people to be very fruitful until they were stronger than their adversaries. 25 He made the Egyptians to hate His people and deal craftily with them.

26 He sent Moses His servant, and Aaron, whom He had chosen. 27 They performed His wondrous acts and miracles in the land of Ham. 28 He made it dark, and they did not rebel against His words. 29 He turned their waters into blood and caused their fish to die. 30 Their land swarmed with frogs that even made their way into the king's chambers. 31 He spoke, and swarms of flies and gnats came into their territory. 32 He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land. 33 He struck down their vines and shattered their fig trees. 34 He spoke and young locust came without number, 35 eating all the vegetation and the fruit of the ground in their land. 36 He struck down all their firstborn, the firstfruits of their vigor.

37 He brought Israel out with silver and gold. No one was feeble among the tribes. 38 Egypt was glad to see them leave, for the dread of them had fallen upon them. 39 God spread a cloud over them for a covering by day, and a fire to give them light at night. 40 He satisfied them with bread from heaven, and when they asked, He brought quail. 41 He split the rock and water flowed out, running in the dry places like a river.

42 He remembered His holy word with His servant Abraham. 43 He brought forth His people with joyful shouts. 44 He gave them the lands of the nations as a possession, 45 that they might keep His statutes and observe His laws. Praise the LORD!

Psalms 106 - RWB Paraphrase (48 V)
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A Song Of National Repentance As The People Return From Captivity
1 Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever. 2 Who can speak of the mighty deeds of the LORD, or make known all His praise? 3 How blessed are those who practice righteousness and justice at all times! 4 Remember me, O LORD, as You bear long with Your people, and visit me with Your salvation. 5 I want to see the prosperity of Your chosen people, that I may rejoice with gladness for Your nation, and glory in Your inheritance.

6 We have sinned like our fathers sinned, and behaved wickedly. 7 When our father were in Egypt, they did not understand Your wonders. Neither did they remember Your abundant kindness, for they rebelled at the Red Sea. 8 Yet You saved them for the sake of Your name, that Your power might be known. 9 So You dried up the Red Sea and led them through the deep, as through a wilderness. 10 You saved them from those who hated them, redeeming them from the hand of their enemies. 11 The waters covered their adversaries and none were left alive.

12 Your people believed Your word and sang Your praise. 13 But then they quickly forgot Your works, and did not wait for Your counsel. 14 In the wilderness they had an intense craving and thereby tempted the LORD. 15 So He gave them what they asked for, along with a wasting disease.

16 When they envied Moses and Aaron, the Holy One chosen of God, 17 the earth opened up and swollowed Dathan and Abiram. 18 A fire blazed up and consumed the wicked. 19 They made a calf in Horeb and worshiped it. 20 Thus they exchanged the glory of the LORD for that of an image of a ox that eats grass. 21 They forgot the one who had saved them and had done such great things in Egypt, 22 wonders so great in the land of Ham and awesome things by the Red Sea. 23 So because of this He said He would destroy them. But Moses intervened and turned God's wrath away from them.

24 Then they despised the pleasant land, and did not believe His word. 25 They grumbled in their tents and did not listen to the voice of the LORD. 26 So He lifted His hand against them in the wilderness. 27 He said He would scatter them among the nations.

28 They joined themselves to Baalpeor, and ate sacrifices offered to the dead. 29 In this they provoked Him to anger and a plague broke out among them. 30 Then Phinehas interposed and the plague was stayed. 31 This was reckoned to him for righteousness unto all generations.

32 They provoked the LORD at the waters of Meribah and Moses suffered on their account. 33 Their rebelliousness caused him to speak rashly.

34 Another time they did not destroy the peoples as the LORD had commanded. 35 They mingled with the nations learning their practices, 36 and serving their idols which became a snare to them. 37 They even sacrificed their sons and daughters to demons, 38 and shed the innocent blood of their children sacrificing them to idols in Canaan. The land was polluted with blood thus shed. 39 By doing this they became unclean and played the harlot. 40 For this reason the LORD's anger was kindled against them so that He abhorred His inheritance. 41 He gave them into the hand of other nations who ruled over them with hatred. 42 Their enemies oppressed them. 43 Many times the LORD would deliver them, but they would be rebellious and sink farther in their iniquity. 44 Yet, He noticed their distress when they cried to Him. 45 For their sake He remembered His covenant with them and relented according to His mercies. 46 Me made them objects of compassion in the presence of their captors.

47 Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to Your holy name and glory in Your praise. 48 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, forever and ever. Let all the people say, "Amen." Praise the LORD!

Psalms 107 - RWB Paraphrase (43 V)
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Let Everyone Be Thankful To God For His Saving Power
1 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His mercy endures forever. 2 Let the redeemed of the LORD speak of this, because He has redeemed them from the hand of their adversaries. 3 He has gathered them from the east and the west, the north and the south.

4 They wandered in the wilderness and did not find any inhabited city. 5 Their souls fainted as they became hungry and thirsty. 6 They cried to the LORD in their trouble and He delivered them out of their distresses. 7 He led them in the right way that they might go to an inhabited city.

8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and wonderful works to the children of men! 9 For He has satisfied the thirsty soul and filled the hungry with what is good.

10 Some sat in the shadow of death, bound in affliction and chains. 11 They had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned His counsel. 12 So He humbled their hearts with labor and caused them to stumble with no one to help them. 13 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble and He saved them out of their distress. 14 He brought them out of the shadow of death. 15 Let them give Him thanks for His goodness and His wonderful works to the children of men!

16 He has shattered gates of iron and bronze. 17 Their rebellious ways have been foolish. 18 As death approached they got so they could not even eat. 19 Then they cried out to the LORD and He saved them from all of their distresses. 20 He healed them and delivered them from destruction. 21 Let them give thanks to the LORD for His goodness and His wonderful works for the children of men! 22 Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and declare His works with rejoicing.

23 Those who have plied the sea in ships, 24 have seen the works of the LORD and His wonders in the deep. 25 As He spoke, a great wind lifted the waves of the sea. 26 They rose up to the heavens and then descended into the depths. 27 They reeled and staggered like a drunken man. They were at their wits end. 28 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble and He brought them out of their distresses. 29 He stilled the storm and hushed the waves. 30 They were glad as He guided them to their destination. 31 Let them give thanks to the LORD for His goodness and for His wonderful works to the children of men!

32 Let them extol Him in the congregation of the people, and praise Him in the assembly of the elders. 33 He changes rivers into a wilderness and springs of water into a thirsty ground. 34 He makes a fruitful land into a salt waste, because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it. 35 And He changes a wilderness into a pool of water and a dry land into springs of water, 36 making the hungry to dwell there, so that they may establish a city to live in, 37 to sow fields and plant vineyards that may yield fruit. 38 He blesses them and they multiply greatly. Neither does He let their cattle decrease. 39 When they are diminished and bowed down through oppression, 40 he pours contempt upon princes and makes them wander in a pathless waste. 41 But the needy He sets securely on high, away from affliction. He makes His families like a flock. 42 The upright see it and are glad while the unrighteous shut their mouths. 43 Who is wise? Let him give heed to these things, and he shall understand the loving kindness of the LORD.

Psalms 108 - RWB Paraphrase (13 V)
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Victory In God's Strength
1 My heart is steadfast, O God. I will sing praises with all my soul. 2 I will awaken the dawn with the harp and the lyre. 3 O LORD, I will give thanks to You among the peoples, and I will sing Your praises among the nations. 4 For Your mercy is higher than the heavens, and Your truth reaches to the clouds. 5 Be exalted above the heavens O God. Your glory is above all the earth, 6 that Your beloved may be delivered, and saved by Your right hand. 7 God has spoken in His holiness, saying, "I will exult, and portion out Shechem and measure out the valley of Succoth." 8 "Gilead is Mine, as is Manasseh and Ephraim, the helmet of My head, while Judah is My scepter." 9 "Moab is My washbowl, and I will throw My shoe over Edom and shout aloud over Philistia."

10 Who will bring me into the besieged city? Who will lead me to Edom? 11 Have you not rejected us, O God? Will you not go forth with our armies? 12 Give us help against our adversaries, for man cannot deliver us. 13 Through God we shall be valiant. He shall tread down our adversaries.

Psalms 109 - RWB Paraphrase (31 V)
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Righteous Indignation Against Those Who Lie
1 O God, whom I praise, do not be silent. 2 For the wicked have spoken deceitfully against me. 3 Their words of hatred surround me without. 4 In spite of my love to them, they are my adversaries. But I continue to pray. 5 Thus they have repaid me evil for good. 6 Appoint a wicked man to stand at their right hand accuse them.

7 Let him be judged guilty and if he prays, let it become sin. 8 Let his days be few and another take his office. 9 Let his children be fatherless and his wife a widow. 10 Let his children go begging. 11 Let his creditor seize all that he has. Let strangers plunder the results of his labor. 12 Let no one extend him mercy or show favor to his children. 13 Let his posterity be cut off. Let his name be blotted out in future generations. 14 Do not take away the iniquity of his father and mother. 15 Let it always remain before the LORD that their memory may be cut off from the earth.

16 He did not remember to show mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy and put to death the broken hearted. 17 He preferred cursing to blessing. 18 Cursing has become his garment. 19 May it be wrapped around him like a belt forever. 20 Let this be the reward of my accusers from the LORD, and of those who speak evil against me. 21 But deal kindly with me for Your name's sake, O LORD. Deliver me because of Your mercy. 22 I am afflicted and needy. My heart is wounded. 23 I am passing like a lengthening shadow. 24 My knees are weak from fasting. I am loosing weight. 25 I have become a reproach to them and they shake their heads when they see me. 26 Help me, O LORD, according to Your mercy. 27 Let them see Your hand what You have done. 28 When they curse, please give me Your blessing, that Your servant may be glad. 29 Let my accusers be clothed with dishonor and a robe of shame. 30 I will give much thanks to the LORD. In the midst of many I will praise Him. 31 He stands at the right hand of the needy and saves him from those who judge him.

Psalms 110 - RWB Paraphrase (7 V)
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The Attributes Of The Messiah
1 The LORD says to my lord: "Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies Your footstool." 2 The LORD will stretch forth Your mighty scepter from Zion, saying, "Rule in the midst of Your enemies." 3 Your people will freely follow You in the day you lead your host upon the holy mountains. 4 The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind. He has said, "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek." 5 The LORD is at Your right hand, and will shatter kings in the day of His wrath. 6 He will judge among the nations, and fill the places with dead bodies, shattering the chief men over the whole earth. 7 He shall drink of the brook by the wayside. Therefore shall He lift up His head.

Psalms 111 - RWB Paraphrase (10 V)
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Reverence For God Is The Beginning Of Wisdom
1 Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart, in the company of the upright and in the assembly. 2 His works are great! They are studied by all who appreciate them. 3 His works are splendid and majestic, and His righteousness endures forever. 4 The LORD is gracious and compassionate, and has made His wonders to be remembered.

5 He has given food to those who fear Him, and He will remember His covenant forever. 6 He has shown His people the power of His works by giving them the heritage of the nations. 7 The works of His hands are truth and justice, and all His commandments are sure. 8 They are upheld forever and ever, and are performed in truth and uprightness.

9 He has sent redemption to His people. He has ordained His covenant forever. Holy and awesome is His name. 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. All those who do His commandments have good understanding. His praise endures forever.

Psalms 112 - RWB Paraphrase (10 V)
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1 Praise the LORD! How blessed is the man who fears the LORD, and takes pleasure in His commandments. 2 His descendants will be mighty on the earth, and the generation of the upright will be blessed.

3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. 4 The righteous will see light in the darkness. The LORD is gracious, compassionate and righteous.

5 A good man is gracious and willing to lend. He directs his affairs with discretion. 6 The righteous will be remembered forever and never will be shaken. 7 He will not fear evil news. His heart will remain steadfast because he trusts in the LORD. 8 His heart is secure and he does not fear, for he knows he will see justice dealt to his adversaries.

9 He has given freely to the poor. His righteousness endures and His horn will be lifted up with honor. 10 The wicked will see it and be very unhappy as they watch their desires perish.

Psalms 113 - RWB Paraphrase (9 V)
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God's Great Mercy Is Demonstrated In His Concern For The Poor And Oppressed
1 Praise the LORD, O servants of the LORD! Praise the name of the LORD. 2 Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forward forever. 3 The name of the LORD is to be praised from the rising of the sun to when it sets. 4 The LORD is high above all nations, and His glory is above the heavens. 5 Who is like the LORD our God? He is enthroned on high, 6 and humbles Himself to behold the things that are in heaven and earth? 7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. 8 He makes them sit with the princes of His people. 9 He makes the barren woman to abide in the house as a joyful mother of children. Praise the LORD!

Psalms 114 - RWB Paraphrase (8 V)
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Celebrate God's Great Work In Our Lives
1 When Israel came out of Egypt, from a people with a different language, 2 Judah became His sanctuary, and Israel His dominion. 3 The sea fled, and the Jordan turned back. 4 The mountains skipped like rams, and the hills, like lambs. 5 Why did you flee, O sea? And why did you turn back, O Jordan? 6 What made the mountains skip like rams, and the hills jump like lambs? 7 Tremble, O earth, before the LORD, the God of Jacob. 8 He turned the rock into a pool of water, and the flint into a fountain of water.

Psalms 115 - RWB Paraphrase (18 V)
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God Is Alive
1 The glory does not belong to us, O LORD, but to You, because of Your mercy and truth. 2 Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" 3 Our God is in the heavens, and He does as He pleases.

4 Their idols are of silver and gold, and made by man. 5 They have mouths but cannot speak. They have eyes but cannot see. 6 They have ears but cannot hear. They have noses but cannot smell. 7 They have hands, but cannot feel, and feet but they cannot walk. They make no sound. 8 Those who make them will become like them. And this is true of all who put their trust in them.

9 O Israel, put your trust in the LORD. He is to be your help and shield. 10 O house of Aaron, put your trust in the LORD. He is to be your help and shield. 11 You who fear the LORD, trust in Him. He is to be your help and shield. 12 The LORD has been mindful of us. He will bless us, and He will bless the house of Israel, and the house of Aaron. 13 He will bless those who fear Him, small and great. 14 May the LORD give increase to you and your children. 15 May you be blessed of the LORD who made heaven and earth. 16 The heavens belong to Him, but He has given the earth to the children of men. 17 The dead do not praise the LORD. 18 But we will bless the LORD from now on forever. Praise the LORD!

Psalms 116 - RWB Paraphrase (19 V)
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Praise For Being Saved From A Certain Death
1 I love the LORD, because He hears My supplications. 2 He inclines His ear to me, and I shall call upon Him as long as I live.

3 The cords of death encompassed me and the terrors of the grave came upon me. I had distress and sorrow. 4 Then I called upon the name of the LORD, asking Him to save my life!

5 Gracious is the LORD. He is righteous and compassionate. 6 The LORD preserves the simple. Though I was brought low, He saved me.

7 Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. 8 For You have rescued my soul from death, taken away my tears while keeping my feet from stumbling. 9 I shall walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

10 There was a time when I believed I was greatly afflicted. 11 I thought all men were liars.

12 What shall I render the LORD for all His benefits toward me? 13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. 14 I shall pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people.

15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints. 16 O LORD, surely I am Your servant, the son of Your handmaid. You have loosed my bonds. 17 To You I shall offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and call upon the name of the LORD. 18 I shall pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people, 19 in the courts of the LORD's house, in the midst of Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!

Psalms 117 - RWB Paraphrase (2 V)
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Praise The Lord For His Boundless Love
1 Praise the LORD, all nations. Laud Him, all peoples! 2 For His merciful kindness toward us is great, and His truth endures forever. Praise the LORD!

Psalms 118 - RWB Paraphrase (29 V)
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Confidence In God's Eternal Love
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His mercy endures forever. 2 Let Israel say, "His mercy endures forever." 3 Let the house of Aaron say, "His mercy endures forever." 4 Let those who fear the LORD say, "His mercy endures forever."

5 In my distress I called upon the LORD. He answered me and set me in a secure place. 6 While the LORD is with me I will not fear. What can man do to me? 7 The LORD is with me to help me. I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.

8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. 10 Though all nations surrounded me, in the name of the LORD I will surely triumph over them. 11 Yes, they have surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I will surely destroy them. 12 They surrounded me like bees, but were quickly extinguished as a fire burning thorns. In the name of the LORD I will surely destroy them.

13 You pushed me violently so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me. 14 The LORD is my strength and song, and has become my salvation. 15 From the tents of the righteous come the sounds of joyful shouting and salvation, saying, "The right hand of the LORD has done mighty things." 16 The right hand of the LORD is exalted, The right hand of the LORD is mighty. 17 I will not die, but live, and tell of the works of the LORD.

18 The LORD has severely disciplined me, but He has not given me over to death. 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, I shall enter through them, and give thanks to the LORD. 20 The righteous will enter through the LORD's gate. 21 I shall give thanks to You, for You have answered me, and have become my salvation.

22 The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone. 23 This is the LORD's doing, and it is marvelous in our sight. 24 This is the day which the LORD has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

25 O LORD, we beseech You to save. Send prosperity! 26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD. We have blessed you from the house of the LORD. 27 The LORD is God. He has given us light. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar.

28 You are my God, and I give thanks to You. You are my God, I will exalt You. 29 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His mercy endures forever.

Psalms 119 - RWB Paraphrase (176 V)
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God's Word Is True And Wonderful.

ALEPH
1 Blessed are those who walk blamelessly in the law of the LORD. 2 How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, and seek Him with all their heart. 3 They walk in His ways and do no iniquity. 4 You have commanded us to diligently keep Your precepts. 5 Oh that my ways may be established to keep Your statutes! 6 Then I shall not be ashamed When I look upon Your commandments. 7 I shall give thanks to You with an upright heart when I learn Your righteous judgments. 8 I shall keep Your statutes, so do not utterly forsake me.

BETH
9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By following what You say in Your word. 10 I have sought You with all of my heart. Do not let me wander from Your commandments. 11 I have treasured Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You. 12 Blessed are You, O LORD. Teach me Your statutes. 13 I have told of all the ordinances of Your mouth. 14 I have rejoiced in Your testimonies as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on Your precepts and think on Your ways. 16 I will delight in Your statutes and not forget Your word.

GIMEL
17 Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and obey Your word. 18 Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law. 19 I am a stranger in the earth. Do not hide Your commandments from me. 20 My soul is consumed with longing for Your ordinances. 21 You rebuked the proud that are cursed, who wander from Your commandments. 22 Take away reproach and contempt from me, for I observe Your testimonies. 23 Though princes talk against me, Your servant meditates on Your statutes. 24 Your testimonies also are my delight, and my counselors.

DALETH
25 I am laid low in the dust. Preserve my life according to your word. 26 I have declared my ways, and You heard me. Teach me Your statutes. 27 Make me to understand the way of Your precepts, that I may meditate on Your wonders. 28 My soul weeps because of grief. Strengthen me according to Your word. 29 Remove from me what is false, and graciously grant me Your law. 30 I have chosen the faithful way by keeping Your ordinances before me. 31 I cling to Your testimonies, O LORD. Do not put me to shame. 32 I shall follow the way of Your commandments, for You will make me able to do this.

HE
33 Teach me the way of Your statutes, O LORD, and I shall follow them to the end. 34 Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law and keep it with all my heart. 35 Lead me in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in them. 36 Incline my heart to Your testimonies and not toward dishonest gain. 37 Turn my eyes away from what is vain, and revive me in Your ways. 38 Establish Your word to Your servant, so that I will reverence You. 39 Turn away my reproach which I dread, for Your judgments are good. 40 I long for Your precepts. Revive me through Your righteousness.

VAU
41 May Your mercies come to me, O LORD, and Your salvation according to Your word. 42 This way I may have an answer for him who reproaches me, and I will trust in Your word. 43 Do not take Your word of truth completely out of my mouth, for I wait for Your judgments. 44 I shall keep Your law always. 45 And I will walk in freedom while I seek Your precepts. 46 I will not be ashamed as I speak of Your testimonies before kings. 47 I will delight in Your commandments, which I have loved. 48 And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments. I love them as I meditate on Your statutes.

ZAIN
49 Remember the word unto Your servant with which You have caused me to hope. 50 In my affliction it comforted and revived me. 51 The arrogant utterly deride me. Yet I have not turned aside from Your law. 52 I remembered Your ordinances from of old, O LORD, and comforted myself. 53 The wicked who forsake Your law cause me to burn with indignation. 54 Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage. 55 O LORD, I remember Your name in the night, and I keep Your law. 56 Observing Your laws has been my practice.

CHETH
57 The LORD is my portion. I have promised to keep Your words. 58 I sought Your favor with all my heart. Be gracious to me according to Your word. 59 I considered my ways and turned my feet toward Your testimonies. 60 I did not delay to keep Your commandments.

61 The cords of the wicked have ensnare me, but I have not forgotten Your law. 62 At midnight I shall get up to give thanks to You for Your righteous ordinances. 63 I am a companion of all who fear You, and keep Your precepts. 64 The earth is full of Your mercy, O LORD, Teach me Your statutes.

TETH
65 You have dealt well with Your servant, O LORD, according to Your word. 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word. 68 You are good and You do good. Teach me Your statutes. 69 The arrogant have forged a lie against me, but I will observe Your precepts with all my heart. 70 Their hearts are calloused and unfeeling, but I delight in your law. 71 It is good that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.

72 The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.

JOD
73 Your hands fashioned me. Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments. 74 May those who fear You see me and be glad, because I wait for Your word. 75 O LORD, I know that Your judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. 76 May Your merciful kindness comfort me, according to Your word to Your servant. 77 May Your compassion come to me that I may live, for Your law is my delight.

78 May the arrogant be put to shame, for they treated me wrongfully without cause. But I shall meditate on Your precepts. 79 May those who fear You and know Your testimonies turn to me. 80 May my heart be blameless in my observance of Your statutes, so that I will not be ashamed.

CAPH
81 My soul languishes for Your salvation, and I wait for Your word. 82 My eyes fail from longing for Your word, while I say, "When will You comfort me?" 83 Though I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, I do not forget Your statutes. 84 How long must Your servant wait? When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me? 85 The proud have dug pitfalls for me. These are men who are do not follow Your law. 86 All Your commandments are faithful, but they persecute me with their lies. Help me! 87 They almost destroyed me, but I did not forsake Your precepts. 88 Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, so that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.

LAMED
89 Your word, O LORD, is eternal, standing firm in the heavens. 90 Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations. You established the earth, and it stands. 91 They stand this day according to Your ordinances, for everything serves You. 92 I would have perished in my affliction if Your law had not been my delight. 93 I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have revived me. 94 I am Yours. Save me, for I have sought Your precepts. 95 The wicked wait to destroy me. I shall diligently consider Your testimonies. 96 I have seen an end of all perfection, but Your commandment is exceedingly broad.

MEM
97 O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever present. 99 I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the aged, because I have observed Your precepts. 101 I have kept my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Your word. 102 I have not departed from Your judgments, for You have taught me. 103 How sweet are Your words! Yes, they are sweeter than honey! 104 I get understanding from Your precepts. Therefore I hate everything false.

NUN
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 106 I have sworn and will confirm that I will keep Your righteous judgments. 107 I am exceedingly afflicted. Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word. 108 Accept my freewill offerings, O LORD, and teach me Your judgments. 109 I continually place my life in my hands, and I do not forget Your law. 110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I have not gone astray from Your precepts. 111 Your testimonies are my inheritance forever, for they are the joy of my heart. 112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever.

SAMECH
113 I hate double minded men, but I love Your law. 114 You are my hiding place and my shield. I wait for Your word. 115 Depart from me, evildoers, that I may observe the commandments of my God. 116 Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live. And do not let me be ashamed of my hope. 117 Uphold me that I may be safe, and always have regard for Your statutes. 118 You have rejected all those who wander from Your statutes. Their deceitfulness will not help them. 119 All the wicked of the earth You count as dross. Therefore I love Your testimonies. 120 My flesh trembles for fear of You, and I am afraid of Your judgments.

AIN
121 I have done justice and righteousness. Do not leave me to my oppressors. 122 Ensure your servant's well being, and do not let the arrogant oppress me. 123 My eyes fail with longing for Your salvation and for Your righteous word. 124 Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy, and teach me Your statutes. 125 I am your servant. Give me discernment that I may understand your testimonies. 126 It is time for You to act Lord, for they have no regard for Your law. 127 Therefore I love Your commandments above pure gold. 128 I consider Your precepts concerning everything as right, and I hate what is false.

PE
129 Your testimonies are wonderful. Therefore my soul keeps them. 130 The unfolding of Your words gives light and understanding to the simple. 131 I open my mouth and pant, as I long for your commands. 132 Look upon me and be merciful, as is Your custom toward those who love Your name. 133 Establish my footsteps in Your word, and do not let any iniquity rule me. 134 Redeem me from the oppression of man, that I may keep Your precepts. 135 Make Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes. 136 Streams of tears flow from my eyes, because Your law is not obeyed.

TZADDI
137 You are righteous, O LORD, and Your judgments are upright. 138 The testimonies You have commanded are righteous and completely trustworthy. 139 My zeal has consumed me as I think of my adversaries who have forgotten Your words. 140 Your word is very pure, and Your servant loves it. 141 Though I am lowly and despised, I do not forget your precepts. 142 Your righteousness is everlasting, and Your law is truth. 143 Trouble and anguish have come upon me, yet Your commandments are my delight. 144 Your testimonies are righteous forever, and give me understanding that I may live.

KOPH
145 I call with all my heart. Answer me, O LORD, and I will obey Your statutes. 146 I cried to You. Save me and I shall keep Your testimonies. 147 I rise before dawn and cry for help. I wait for Your words. 148 I lay awake through the night, that I may meditate on Your word. 149 Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness, O LORD, and revive me according to Your justice. 150 The wicked draw near to harm me. They are far from keeping Your law. 151 Yet You are near, O LORD, and all Your commands are true. 152 Long ago I learned from Your testimonies that You established them forever.

RESH
153 Look upon my affliction and rescue me, for I do not forget Your law. 154 Plead my cause and redeem me. Revive me according to Your word. 155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek Your statutes. 156 Great are Your tender mercies, O LORD. Revive me according to Your judgments. 157 Many are my adversaries who persecute me. Yet I do not turn aside from Your testimonies. 158 I look at the faithless with disgust, because they do not keep Your commands. 159 Consider how I love Your precepts. Revive me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness. 160 The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.

SCHIN
161 Princes persecute me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of Your word. 162 I rejoice at Your word as one who has found great treasure. 163 I hate and despise falsehood, but I love Your law. 164 Seven times a day I praise You because of Your righteous judgments. 165 Those who love Your law have great peace, and nothing shall cause them to stumble. 166 I wait for Your salvation, O LORD, and I follow Your commands. 167 My soul keeps Your testimonies. I love them greatly. 168 I keep Your testimonies, for all my ways are before You.

TAU
169 Let my cry come before You, O LORD. Give me understanding according to Your word. 170 Let my supplication come before You, and deliver me according to Your word. 171 Let my lips utter praise, for You teach me Your statutes. 172 Let my tongue sing of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteousness. 173 Be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts. 174 I long for Your salvation, O LORD. Your law is my delight. 175 Let me live that I may praise you, and may your judgments sustain me. 176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Look for Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments.

Psalms 120 - RWB Paraphrase (7 V)
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A Prayer For Deliverance From False Accusers
1 I cried to the LORD in my trouble, and He answered me. 2 Deliver my soul from lying lips, O LORD. 3 What shall be given to those with a deceitful tongue? 4 Sharp arrows of the mighty, with burning coals of juniper. 5 Woe is me, for I sojourn in Meshech, and dwell among the tents of Kedar! 6 I have lived too long with those who hate peace. 7 When I speak of peace, they want war.

Psalms 121 - RWB Paraphrase (8 V)
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We Can Depend On God For Our Help
1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from where my help comes. 2 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. 3 He will not allow your foot to slip. He who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, He who keeps Israel will not slumber. 5 The LORD is your keeper. The LORD is your shade at your right hand. 6 The sun will not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD will protect you from all evil, and keep your soul. 8 The LORD will preserve your going out and your coming in, now and forever more.

Psalms 122 - RWB Paraphrase (9 V)
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Stepping Into The Presence Of God
1 I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD." 2 Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem, 3 built as a city bound firmly together, 4 to which the tribes of the LORD go up, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD. 5 It is there that the thrones of the house of David have been set for judgment. 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem."May those who love you prosper." 7 "May peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces." 8 For the sake of my brothers and my friends, I will now say, "May peace be within you." 9 Because of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good.

Psalms 123 - RWB Paraphrase (4 V)
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Look To God For Mercy
1 Unto You I lift up mine eyes, O You who dwells in the heavens. 2 Behold, as the eyes of servants who look to the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maid looks to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, until He has mercy on us. 3 Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy! For we are exceedingly filled with contempt. 4 We have endured much ridicule from the proud, and much contempt from those who are arrogant.

Psalms 124 - RWB Paraphrase (8 V)
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God Deliverers Us From Those Who Seek To Destroy Us
1 "Had it not been for the LORD who was on our side, " Let Israel now say, 2 "Had it not been the LORD who was on our side when men rose up against us," 3 "then they would have swallowed alive when their anger was kindled against us." 4 The waters would have engulfed us, and the stream would have swept over our soul. 5 "Yes, the raging waters would have swept over our soul." 6 Praise be to the LORD, who has not let us be torn by their teeth. 7 Our soul has escaped as a bird out of the snare of the trapper. The snare is broken and we have escaped. 8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Psalms 125 - RWB Paraphrase (5 V)
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God Is Our Protector
1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. 2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people from this time on and forever more. 3 For the scepter of the wicked shall not rest upon the land of the righteous, lest the righteous put forth their hands to do wrong. 4 Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, to those who are upright in their hearts. 5 But as for those who turn aside to their crooked ways, the LORD will lead them away with the workers of iniquity. Peace be upon Israel.

Psalms 126 - RWB Paraphrase (6 V)
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God Does Great Things
1 When the LORD brought back the captive ones of Zion, we felt as though we were in a dream. 2 Our mouths were filled with laughter and our tongues with joyful shouting. They said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for His people."

3 The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. 4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negev. 5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with joy. 6 He who goes out with weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying his sheaves with him.

Psalms 127 - RWB Paraphrase (5 V)
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God Must Be The Foundation Of Everything In Life
1 Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stay awake in vain. 2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to your rest, eating the bread of anxious toil, for He is the one who gives sleep to His beloved.

3 Behold, children are a gift from the LORD. The fruit of the womb is a reward from Him. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. 5 How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. He will not be ashamed when he speaks with those who are against him in the gate.

Psalms 128 - RWB Paraphrase (6 V)
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A Marriage Prayer
1 Blessed are all who fear the LORD, and walk in His ways. 2 When you eat of the fruit of your hands, you will be happy and it will be well with you. 3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine within your house, and your children like olive plants around your table. 4 Thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD. 5 The LORD bless you from Zion. May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. 6 Indeed, may you see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel!

Psalms 129 - RWB Paraphrase (8 V)
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Confidence In Times Of Persecution
1 "Many times they have persecuted me from my youth up, " Let Israel now say, 2 "Many times they have persecuted me from my youth up, yet they have not prevailed against me." 3 "They plowed upon my back, making long furrows." 4 But the LORD is righteous. He has cut me free from the cords of the wicked. 5 May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned back. 6 Let them be like grass upon the housetops, which withers before it grows up. 7 The reaper does not reap it. He does not see it as useful. 8 Neither does anyone else. May it be said, "The blessing of the LORD be upon you. We bless you in the name of the LORD."

Psalms 130 - RWB Paraphrase (8 V)
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Assurance Of The Lord's Forgiveness
1 Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD. 2 Hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to my supplications. 3 If You should keep track of iniquities, O LORD, who could stand? 4 But with you there is forgiveness, and for this reason you are feared.

5 My soul waits for the LORD. In His word I place my hope. 6 My soul waits for the LORD more intently than the watchmen does for the morning. 7 Let Israel hope in the LORD, for with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption. 8 He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

Psalms 131 - RWB Paraphrase (3 V)
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Trust And Contentment
1 LORD, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty. Neither do I involve myself in great matters, or things too difficult for me. 2 Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child rests against his mother, so is my soul within me. 3 O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forever more.

Psalms 132 - RWB Paraphrase (18 V)
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Honor God And He Will Honor You
1 O LORD, remember David and all the hardships he endured. 2 Remember how he swore to the LORD and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob, saying, 3 "Surely I will not enter my house, nor lie on my bed," 4 "nor allow myself any sleep," 5 "until I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob." 6 We heard it in Ephrathah, we came upon it in the fields of Jaar. 7 Let us go into His dwelling place, let us worship at His footstool. 8 Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength. 9 Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let Your godly ones sing for joy. 10 For the sake of David Your servant, do not turn away from the face of Your anointed. 11 The LORD has sworn in truth to David, and He will not turn from it, saying, "I will set upon your throne the fruit of your body." 12 "If your sons will keep My covenant and My testimony which I will teach them, their sons shall also sit upon your throne forever." 13 For the LORD has chosen Zion, desiring it for His dwelling. 14 He said, "This is My resting place forever, here I will dwell, for I have desired it." 15 I will bless her with abundant provisions, and her poor I will satisfy with bread. 16 "I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her godly ones will sing aloud for joy." 17 "There I will cause the horn of David to spring forth. I have prepared a lamp for My anointed." 18 "I will clothe his enemies with shame, but upon him his crown shall shine."

Psalms 133 - RWB Paraphrase (3 V)
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The Joy Of Harmonious Relationships
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, coming down upon Aaron's beard, and on down upon the edge of his garments. 3 It is like the dew of Hermon coming down upon the mountains of Zion, for there the LORD commanded the blessing of life forever more.

Psalms 134 - RWB Paraphrase (3 V)
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Worship God And Experience The Joy Of His Blessing
1 Praise the LORD, all you His servants who minister by night in His house. 2 Lift up your hands to the sanctuary and bless the LORD. 3 May the LORD bless you from Zion, He who made heaven and earth.

Psalms 135 - RWB Paraphrase (21 V)
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A Hymn Of Praise
1 Praise the LORD! Praise His name, O servants of the LORD, 2 you who stand in the courts of the house of the LORD our God! 3 Praise the LORD, for He is good. Sing praises to His name, for it is lovely. 4 For the LORD has chosen Jacob for Himself, and Israel for His own possession.

5 I know that the LORD is great and that our Lord is above all gods. 6 The LORD does whatever He pleases in heaven and earth, in the seas and in all the deeps. 7 He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from where He keeps it.

8 He smote the firstborn of Egypt, of both man and beast. 9 He sent signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh and all his servants. 10 He smote many nations and slew mighty kings, 11 such as Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan. 12 He gave their land as a heritage to His people Israel. 13 Your name, O LORD, endures forever, your renown, O LORD, through all generations. 14 For the LORD will judge His people and have compassion on His servants. 15 The idols of the nations are only silver and gold, and made by men. 16 They have mouths, but they do not speak. They have eyes, but they do not see. 17 They have ears, but they cannot hear, neither is there any breath in them. 18 Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them. 19 O house of Israel, bless the LORD, O house of Aaron, bless the LORD, 20 o house of Levi, bless the LORD, you who revere the LORD, bless the LORD. 21 Blessed be the LORD from Zion, who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!

Psalms 136 - RWB Paraphrase (26 V)
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Everyone Give Thanks To The Lord For His Mercies Endure
1 Give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good. His mercy endures forever. 2 O give thanks unto the God of gods, for His mercy endures forever. 3 Give thanks to the LORD of Lords, for His mercy is everlasting. 4 He alone does great wonders, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. 5 He made the heavens with skill, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. 6 He stretched out the earth above the waters, for His mercy endures forever. 7 He made the great lights, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. 8 The sun was made to rule the day, for His mercies are everlasting. 9 The moon and stars He made to rule the night, for His lovingkindness is forever. 10 To Him who smote the firstborn of the Egyptians, for His lovingkindness is everlasting, 11 he brought Israel out from their midst, for His mercy is everlasting. 12 He did this with a strong hand an outstretched arm, for His lovingkindness is forever. 13 He divided the Red Sea, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. 14 He made Israel pass through the midst of the Red Sea, for His mercy is everlasting, 15 and He overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, for His mercy endures forever. 16 He led His people through the wilderness, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. 17 He smote great kings, for His mercy is everlasting. 18 He slew mighty kings, for His lovingkindness is everlasting: 19 there was Sihon, king of the Amorites, for His lovingkindness is everlasting, 20 and Og, king of Bashan, for His mercy is everlasting, 21 and He gave their land as a heritage, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. 22 This is the heritage of Israel His servant, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. 23 He remembered us in our low estate, for His lovingkindness endures forever. 24 And He has rescued us from our adversaries, for His mercy is everlasting, 25 he gives food to all flesh, for His mercy is everlasting. 26 Give thanks to the God of heaven, for His lovingkindness goes on forever.

Psalms 137 - RWB Paraphrase (9 V)
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Weeping Over The Bitterness Of Captivity
1 We sat by the rivers of Babylon, and wept as we remembered Zion. 2 We hung our harps in the midst of the willows. 3 Our captors demanded that we sing and then they tormented us with mirth, saying, "Sing one of the songs of Zion." 4 How can we sing the LORD's song in a foreign land? 5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget how to play on the harp. 6 If I do not remember you, may my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth. May I not forget to exalt Jerusalem as my highest joy. 7 Remember, O LORD, the sons of Edom, who said of Jerusalem, "Raze it to its very foundation." 8 O daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy is he who repays you for what you have done to us. 9 How blessed will be the one who seizes and dashes your little ones against the rock.

Psalms 138 - RWB Paraphrase (8 V)
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Thanksgiving For Answered Prayer
1 I will praise You with my whole heart, before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. 2 I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your loving kindness and truth. For You have magnified Your word according to Your name. 3 On the day I called, You answered me, making me bold with strength in my soul.

4 All the kings of the earth will give thanks to You, O LORD, when they have heard the words of Your mouth. 5 And they will sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is Your glory. 6 For though the LORD is exalted, He still regards the lowly, while the haughty He knows from afar. 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me, You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me. 8 The LORD will accomplish His purpose for me. Your love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not abandon the works of Your hands.

Psalms 139 - RWB Paraphrase (24 V)
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God Is All Seeing, All Knowing, All Holy And All Present
1 O LORD, You have searched me and known me. 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up. You understand my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down. You are familiar with all my ways. 4 Even before I speak, You know what I will say. 5 You have enclosed me from behind and before, laying Your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me to understand. I cannot grasp it. 7 Where can I go that Your Spirit is not there. It is impossible to flee from Your presence. 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in the depths, You are there. 9 If I take the wings of the dawn, or dwell in the remotest part of the sea, 10 even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will hold me fast. 11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," 12 even the darkness is not dark to You, for the night is as bright as day. Darkness and light are alike to You. 13 You formed my innermost parts, and wove me in my mother's womb. 14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and my soul knows that very well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in secret, woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body, and in Your book were written all the days of my life, when as yet there were none of them. 17 How precious are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! 18 Were I to try to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.

19 O that You would slay the wicked, O God. Therefore, depart from me, men of bloodshed. 20 For they speak against You wickedly, and Your enemies take Your name in vain. 21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD, and abhor those who rise up against you? 22 I have nothing but contempt for them. I count them as enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalms 140 - RWB Paraphrase (13 V)
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Pray For Protection Against Those Who Slander You
1 Rescue me from evil and violent men, O LORD. 2 They devise evil in their hearts and stir up conflict. 3 They sharpen their tongues as a serpent. A viper's poison is under their lips. 4 O LORD, keep me from the hands of the wicked. Protect me from men of violence who would trip my feet. 5 Proud men have hidden a snare for me, spreading their net to trap me along my path.

6 I said to the LORD, "You are my God. Listen to my supplications." 7 "O Sovereign LORD, my strong deliverer, who shields my head in the day of battle." 8 "Do not grant the desires of the wicked, or let them be exalted." 9 "Let the heads of those who surround me be covered with the trouble their lips have caused." 10 "May burning coals fall upon them. Cast them into deep pits which they cannot get out of." 11 "Let slanderers not be established in the land. May disaster hunt down men of violence."

12 I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted and give justice to the poor. 13 Surely the righteous will give thanks to Your name, and the upright will dwell in Your presence.

Psalms 141 - RWB Paraphrase (10 V)
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A Prayer For Help When Being Tempted
1 O LORD, I call to You. Hurry to me and listen when I call to You! 2 May my prayer be like incense. I lift up my hands to You like the evening offering. 3 Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD. Keep a watch on my lips. 4 Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, to practice deeds of wickedness with men who do iniquity. And do not let me eat of their delicacies. 5 Let the righteous rebuke me in kindness, but let the oil of the wicked never anoint my head, for my prayer is continually against their wicked deeds. 6 When they are given over to those who shall condemn them, then they shall learn that the word of the LORD is true.

7 Our bones are scattered at the mouth of the grave, as when one plows and breaks up the ground. 8 For my eyes are toward You, O LORD. In You I take refuge. Do not leave me defenseless. 9 Keep me from falling into the trap they have set for me, and from the snares of those who do iniquity. 10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety.

Psalms 142 - RWB Paraphrase (7 V)
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A Prayer When Overwhelmed
1 I cried aloud to the LORD, making supplication to Him. 2 I poured out my complaint and declared my trouble to Him. 3 My spirit overwhelms me as I consider their hidden trap for me. But You know my path. 4 I look to the right and watch, but there is none who takes notice of me. No refuge remains for me. No man cares for me. 5 I cried out to You, O LORD, saying, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living." 6 "Give heed to my cry, for I am brought very low. Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me." 7 "Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to Your name. The righteous will surround me, for You will deal bountifully with me."

Psalms 143 - RWB Paraphrase (12 V)
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Prayer In A Hopeless Situation
1 Hear my prayer, O LORD. Listen to my supplications and answer me in Your faithfulness and righteousness! 2 And do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for in Your sight no man living is righteous. 3 The enemy has persecuted my soul, and crushed my life down to the ground. He has made me dwell in dark places, like those long dead. 4 For this reason my spirit is overwhelmed and my heart is desolate. 5 I remember the old days. I meditate on all Your doings and the work of Your hands. 6 I spread out my hands to You, my soul longs for You as one in a parched land. 7 O LORD, answer me quickly. My spirit fails. Do not hide Your face from me, else I will become like those who go down to the pit. 8 Let the morning inform me of Your mercy, for I trust in You. Teach me the way in which I should walk as I lift up my soul to You. 9 Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD. I take refuge in You. 10 Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. Your Spirit is good and leads me in uprightness. 11 For the sake of Your name, O LORD, revive me. In Your righteousness bring me out of trouble. 12 And in Your mercy, cut off my enemies and destroy all those who afflict me, for I am Your servant.

Psalms 144 - RWB Paraphrase (15 V)
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Rejoicing In God's Care
1 Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war. 2 He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me. 3 O LORD, what is man, that You care for or even think of him? 4 Man is like a breath, and his days are like a passing shadow. 5 Part your heavens, O LORD, and come down and touch the mountains, so that they smoke. 6 Send forth lightning and scatter the enemy. Shoot your arrows and confuse them. 7 Stretch out your hand from on high, and rescue me from the hands of foreigners. 8 Their mouths speak deceit, and in their right hand is falsehood.

9 I will sing a new song of praise to You, O God, and make music to You upon a harp of ten strings. 10 You give salvation to kings. You rescue David Your servant for the evil sword. 11 Deliver me from the hand of aliens who speak deceit and in whose right hand is falsehood. 12 Then our sons in their youth will be like well nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace. 13 Let our barns be full with every kind of produce, and our flocks bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields. 14 Let our cattle bear without mishap, and let there be no cry of distress in our streets! 15 How blessed are the people who are thus situated, and whose God is the LORD!

Psalms 145 - RWB Paraphrase (21 V)
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A Time Will Come When All People Will Worship God
1 I will exalt you, my God and King, I will praise Your name forever and ever. 2 Every day I will bless You, and praise Your name. 3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised. His greatness is unsearchable. 4 One generation shall praise Your works to another, declaring Your mighty acts. 5 I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty and on Your wonderful works. 6 Men will speak of Your awesome acts, and I will tell of Your greatness. 7 They shall eagerly recount Your abundant goodness, and shout joyfully of Your righteousness. 8 The LORD is gracious and merciful. He is slow to anger and His lovingkindness is great. 9 He is good to everyone, and His mercies are over all His works.

10 All You have made will praise you, O LORD, and your saints will extol You. 11 They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom and talk of Your power, 12 so that all men may know of Your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom.

13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations. 14 The LORD sustains all who fall and raises up all who are bowed down. 15 Every eye looks to You, for You give them their food at the right season. 16 From Your hand You provide for every living thing.

17 The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds. 18 The LORD is near to all who call upon Him in truth. 19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him. He will hear their cry and save them. 20 The LORD keeps those who love Him, but destroys the wicked. 21 My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and all flesh will bless His holy name forever.

Psalms 146 - RWB Paraphrase (10 V)
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The Help Of Man Versus The Help Of God
1 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! 2 I will praise the LORD all my life. I will sing praises to my God as long as I live. 3 Do not trust in princes, or mortal man, for there is no salvation in him. 4 When he dies, his spirit departs and he returns to the earth. In that day his thoughts perish. 5 How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, and whose hope is in the LORD his God, 6 who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them, and Who keeps faith forever. 7 He executes justice for the oppressed, and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free. 8 He opens the eyes of the blind, raising up those who are bowed down, and loving the righteous. 9 He protects strangers, supports the fatherless and the widow, but thwarts the wicked. 10 The LORD will reign forever, O Zion, throughout all generations. Praise the LORD!

Psalms 147 - RWB Paraphrase (20 V)
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That Which Gives God Joy
1 Praise the LORD! It is good to sing praises to our God, for it is pleasant and praise is becoming. 2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem, and gathers the outcasts of Israel. 3 He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds. 4 He counts the number of the stars, and gives names to each of them. 5 Great is our Lord. His strength is abundant and His understanding is infinite. 6 The LORD supports the afflicted, and brings down the wicked.

7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving. Sing praises to our God on the lyre. 8 He covers the heavens with clouds, providing rain for the earth, and makes grass to grow on the mountains. 9 He gives the beast its food, and the young ravens what they need when they call. 10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor is His delight in the legs of a man. 11 The LORD favors those who fear Him, who wait for His mercy.

12 Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion! 13 For He strengthens your gates and blesses your people within. 14 He makes peace within your borders, and satisfies you with the finest of wheat. 15 He sends out His command to the earth. His word runs swiftly. 16 He gives snow like wool, and scatters frost like ashes. 17 He hurls down His hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast? 18 Then He sends forth His word and melts them. He makes His wind blow and the waters to flow. 19 He declares His words to Jacob, His statutes and His ordinances to Israel. 20 He has not dealt thus with any other nation, and they have not known His ordinances. Praise the LORD!

Psalms 148 - RWB Paraphrase (14 V)
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Let All Creation Worship And Praise The Lord
1 Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD from the heavens. Praise Him in the highest! 2 Praise Him, all His angels. Praise Him, all His hosts! 3 Praise Him, sun and moon. Praise Him all you stars of light! 4 Praise Him, highest heavens, and the waters that are above the heavens! 5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for He commanded and they were created. 6 He has established them forever, and has made a decree which will never pass away. 7 Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and that which is in the ocean depths, 8 and lightning, hail, snow, clouds, and stormy winds that do His bidding, 9 mountains, hills, fruit trees and cedars, 10 beasts, cattle, creeping things and winged fowl, 11 kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth, 12 young men and maidens, old men and children. 13 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted, and His glory is above heaven and earth. 14 He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all His saints, even of the children of Israel, a people near unto Him. Praise the LORD.

Psalms 149 - RWB Paraphrase (9 V)
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A Celebration Of Victory
1 Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song. Sing His praise in the congregation of His godly. 2 Let Israel be glad in his Maker. Let the sons of Zion rejoice in their King. 3 Let them praise His name with dancing, and let them sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre. 4 For the LORD takes delight in His people, He crowns the humble with salvation. 5 Let the saints rejoice in His honor and sing for joy on their beds. 6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand, 7 to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, 8 to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, 9 and to execute the judgment written on them, in honor of all His godly ones. Praise the LORD!

Psalms 150 - RWB Paraphrase (6 V)
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A Closing Hymn Of Praise
1 Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary, praise Him in His mighty expanse. 2 Praise Him for His mighty deeds, praise Him according to His excellent greatness. 3 Praise Him with trumpet, harp and lyre. 4 Praise Him with timbrel and dancing. Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipes. 5 Praise Him with resounding cymbals. 6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!

Chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150


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