The Living Bible (172 page)

Psalm
1

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow evil men’s advice, who do not hang around with sinners, scoffing at the things of God.
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 But they delight in doing everything God wants them to, and day and night are always meditating on his laws and thinking about ways to follow him more closely.

    
³
 They are like trees along a riverbank bearing luscious fruit each season without fail. Their leaves shall never wither, and all they do shall prosper.

    
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 But for sinners, what a different story! They blow away like chaff before the wind.
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 They are not safe on Judgment Day; they shall not stand among the godly.

    
⁶
 For the Lord watches over all the plans and paths of godly men, but the paths of the godless lead to doom.

Psalm
2

What fools the nations are to rage
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against the Lord! How strange that men should try to outwit God!
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²
 For a summit conference of the nations has been called to plot against the Lord and his Messiah, Christ the King.
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³
 “Come, let us break his chains,” they say, “and free ourselves from all this slavery to God.”

    
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 But God in heaven merely laughs! He is amused by all their puny plans.
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 And then in fierce fury he rebukes them and fills them with fear.

    
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 For the Lord declares,
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“This is the King of my choice, and I have enthroned him in Jerusalem, my holy city.”
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 His chosen one replies,
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“I will reveal the everlasting purposes of God, for the Lord has said to me, ‘You are my Son. This is your Coronation Day.
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Today I am giving you your glory.’”
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 “Only ask and I will give you all the nations of the world.
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 Rule them with an iron rod; smash them like clay pots!”

    
¹⁰
 O kings and rulers of the earth, listen while there is time.
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 Serve the Lord with reverent fear; rejoice with trembling.
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 Fall down before his Son and kiss his feet
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before his anger is roused and you perish. I am warning you—his wrath will soon begin. But oh, the joys of those who put their trust in him!

Psalm
3

A psalm of David when he fled from his son Absalom

O Lord, so many are against me. So many seek to harm me. I have so many enemies.
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 So many say that God will never help me.
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 But Lord, you are my shield, my glory, and my only hope. You alone can lift my head, now bowed in shame.
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 I cried out to the Lord, and he heard me from his Temple in Jerusalem.
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 Then I lay down and slept in peace and woke up safely, for the Lord was watching over me.
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 And now, although ten thousand enemies surround me on every side, I am not afraid.
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 I will cry to him, “Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God!” And he will slap them in the face, insulting them and breaking off their teeth.
*

    
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 For salvation comes from God. What joys he gives to all his people.

Psalm
4

O God, you have declared me perfect in your eyes;
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you have always cared for me in my distress; now hear me as I call again. Have mercy on me. Hear my prayer.

    
²
 The Lord God asks, “Sons of men, will you forever turn my glory into shame by worshiping these silly idols, when every claim that’s made for them is false?”

    
³
 Mark this well: The Lord has set apart the redeemed for himself. Therefore he will listen to me and answer when I call to him.
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 Stand before the Lord in awe,
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and do not sin against him. Lie quietly upon your bed in silent meditation.
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 Put your trust in the Lord, and offer him pleasing sacrifices.

    
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 Many say that God will never help us. Prove them wrong,
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O Lord, by letting the light of your face shine down upon us.
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 Yes, the gladness you have given me is far greater than their joys at harvest time as they gaze at their bountiful crops.
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 I will lie down in peace and sleep, for though I am alone, O Lord, you will keep me safe.

Psalm
5

O Lord, hear me praying; listen to my plea, O God my King, for I will never pray to anyone but you.
³
 Each morning I will look to you in heaven and lay my requests before you, praying earnestly.

    
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 I know you get no pleasure from wickedness and cannot tolerate the slightest sin.
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 Therefore, proud sinners will not survive your searching gaze, for how you hate their evil deeds.
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 You will destroy them for their lies; how you abhor all murder and deception.

    
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 But as for me, I will come into your Temple protected by your mercy and your love; I will worship you with deepest awe.

    
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 Lord, lead me as you promised me you would; otherwise my enemies will conquer me. Tell me clearly what to do, which way to turn.
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 For they cannot speak one truthful word. Their hearts are filled to the brim with wickedness. Their suggestions are full of the stench of sin and death. Their tongues are filled with flatteries to gain their wicked ends.
¹⁰
 O God, hold them responsible. Catch them in their own traps; let them fall beneath the weight of their own transgressions, for they rebel against you.

    
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 But make everyone rejoice who puts his trust in you. Keep them shouting for joy because you are defending them. Fill all who love you with your happiness.
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 For you bless the godly man, O Lord; you protect him with your shield of love.

Psalm
6

No, Lord! Don’t punish me in the heat of your anger.
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 Pity me, O Lord, for I am weak. Heal me, for my body is sick,
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 and I am upset and disturbed. My mind is filled with apprehension and with gloom. Oh, restore me soon.

    
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 Come, O Lord, and make me well. In your kindness save me.
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 For if I die, I cannot give you glory by praising you before my friends.
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⁶
 I am worn out with pain; every night my pillow is wet with tears.
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 My eyes are growing old and dim with grief because of all my enemies.

    
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 Go, leave me now, you men of evil deeds, for the Lord has heard my weeping
⁹
 and my pleading. He will answer all my prayers.
¹⁰
 All my enemies shall be suddenly dishonored, terror-stricken, and disgraced. God will turn them back in shame.