The Living Bible (198 page)

    
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 I am close to death at the hands of my enemies; oh, give me back my life again, just as you promised me.
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 Accept my grateful thanks and teach me your desires.
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 My life hangs in the balance, but I will not give up obedience to your laws.
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 The wicked have set their traps for me along your path, but I will not turn aside.
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 Your laws are my joyous treasure forever.
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 I am determined to obey you until I die.

    
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 I hate those who are undecided whether or not to obey you; but my choice is clear—I love your law.
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 You are my refuge and my shield, and your promises are my only source of hope.
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 Begone, you evil-minded men! Don’t try to stop me from obeying God’s commands.
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 Lord, you promised to let me live! Never let it be said that God failed me.
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 Hold me safe above the heads of all my enemies; then I can continue to obey your laws.

    
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 But you have rejected all who reject your laws. They are only fooling themselves.
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 The wicked are the scum you skim off and throw away; no wonder I love to obey your laws!
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 I tremble in fear of you; I fear your punishments.

    
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 Don’t leave me to the mercy of my enemies, for I have done what is right; I’ve been perfectly fair.
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 Commit yourself to bless me! Don’t let the proud oppress me!
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 My eyes grow dim with longing for you to fulfill your wonderful promise to rescue me.
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 Lord, deal with me in loving-kindness, and teach me, your servant, to obey;
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 for I am your servant; therefore give me common sense to apply your rules to everything I do.

    
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 Lord, it is time for you to act. For these evil men have violated your laws,
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 while I love your commandments more than the finest gold.
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 Every law of God is right, whatever it concerns. I hate every other way.

    
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 Your laws are wonderful; no wonder I obey them.
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 As your plan unfolds, even the simple can understand it.
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 No wonder I wait expectantly for each of your commands.

    
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 Come and have mercy on me as is your way with those who love you.
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 Guide me with your laws so that I will not be overcome by evil.
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 Rescue me from the oppression of evil men; then I can obey you.
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 Look down in love upon me and teach me all your laws.
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 I weep because your laws are disobeyed.

    
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 O Lord, you are just and your punishments are fair.
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 Your demands are just and right.
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 I am indignant and angry because of the way my enemies have disregarded your laws.
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 I have thoroughly tested your promises, and that is why I love them so much.
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 I am worthless and despised, but I don’t despise your laws.

    
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 Your justice is eternal for your laws are perfectly fair.
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 In my distress and anguish your commandments comfort me.
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 Your laws are always fair; help me to understand them, and I shall live.

    
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 I am praying with great earnestness; answer me, O Lord, and I will obey your laws.
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 “Save me,” I cry, “for I am obeying.”
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 Early in the morning before the sun is up, I am praying and pointing out how much I trust in you.
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 I stay awake through the night to think about your promises.
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 Because you are so loving and kind, listen to me and make me well again.

    
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 Here come these lawless men to attack me,
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 but you are near, O Lord; all your commandments are based on truth.
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 I have known from earliest days that your will never changes.

    
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 Look down upon my sorrows and rescue me, for I am obeying your commands.
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 Yes, rescue me and give me back my life again just as you have promised.
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 The wicked are far from salvation, for they do not care for your laws.
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 Lord, how great is your mercy; oh, give me back my life again.

    
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 My enemies are so many. They try to make me disobey, but I have not swerved from your will.
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 I loathed these traitors because they care nothing for your laws.
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 Lord, see how much I really love your demands. Now give me back my life and health because you are so kind.
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 There is utter truth in all your laws; your decrees are eternal.

    
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 Great men have persecuted me, though they have no reason to, but I stand in awe of only your words.
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 I rejoice in your laws like one who finds a great treasure.
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 How I hate all falsehood, but how I love your laws.
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 I will praise you seven times a day because of your wonderful laws.

    
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 Those who love your laws have great peace of heart and mind and do not stumble.
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 I long for your salvation, Lord, and so I have obeyed your laws.
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 I have looked for your commandments, and I love them very much;
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 yes, I have searched for them. You know this because everything I do is known to you.

    
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 O Lord, listen to my prayers; give me the common sense you promised.
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 Hear my prayers; rescue me as you said you would.
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 I praise you for letting me learn your laws.
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 I will sing about their wonder, for each of them is just.
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 Stand ready to help me because I have chosen to follow your will.
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 O Lord, I have longed for your salvation, and your law is my delight.
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 If you will let me live, I will praise you; let your laws assist me.

    
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 I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not turned away from your commandments.

Psalm
120

In my troubles I pled with God to help me and he did!

    
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 Deliver me, O Lord, from liars.
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 O lying tongue, what shall be your fate?
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 You shall be pierced with sharp arrows and burned with glowing coals.
*

    
^5-6
 My troubles pile high among these haters of the Lord, these men of Meshech and Kedar. I am tired of being here among these men who hate peace.
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 I am for peace, but they are for war, and my voice goes unheeded in their councils.

Psalm
121

Shall I look to the mountain gods for help?
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 No! My help is from Jehovah who made the mountains! And the heavens too!
^3-4
 He will never let me stumble, slip, or fall. For he is always watching, never sleeping.

    
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 Jehovah himself is caring for you! He is your defender.
*
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 He protects you day and night.
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 He keeps you from all evil and preserves your life.
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 He keeps his eye upon you as you come and go and always guards you.

Psalm
122

I was glad for the suggestion of going to Jerusalem, to the Temple of the Lord.
^2-3
 Now we are standing here inside the crowded city.
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 All Israel—Jehovah’s people—have come to worship as the law requires, to thank and praise the Lord.
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 Look! There are the judges holding court beside the city gates, deciding all the people’s arguments.

    
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 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper.
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 O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces.
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 This I ask for the sake of all my brothers and my friends who live here;
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 and may there be peace as a protection to the Temple of the Lord.