33 If only there were someone to mediate between us,(A)
    someone to bring us together,(B)

Read full chapter

33 Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.

Read full chapter

19 Even now my witness(A) is in heaven;(B)
    my advocate is on high.(C)
20 My intercessor(D) is my friend[a](E)
    as my eyes pour out(F) tears(G) to God;
21 on behalf of a man he pleads(H) with God
    as one pleads for a friend.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Job 16:20 Or My friends treat me with scorn

19 Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.

20 My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.

21 O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!

Read full chapter

23 “Oh, that my words were recorded,
    that they were written on a scroll,(A)
24 that they were inscribed with an iron tool(B) on[a] lead,
    or engraved in rock forever!(C)
25 I know that my redeemer[b](D) lives,(E)
    and that in the end he will stand on the earth.[c]
26 And after my skin has been destroyed,
    yet[d] in[e] my flesh I will see God;(F)
27 I myself will see him
    with my own eyes(G)—I, and not another.
    How my heart yearns(H) within me!

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Job 19:24 Or and
  2. Job 19:25 Or vindicator
  3. Job 19:25 Or on my grave
  4. Job 19:26 Or And after I awake, / though this body has been destroyed, / then
  5. Job 19:26 Or destroyed, / apart from

23 Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!

24 That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!

25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

Read full chapter

23 Yet if there is an angel at their side,
    a messenger,(A) one out of a thousand,
    sent to tell them how to be upright,(B)
24 and he is gracious to that person and says to God,
    ‘Spare them from going down to the pit;(C)
    I have found a ransom for them(D)
25 let their flesh be renewed(E) like a child’s;
    let them be restored as in the days of their youth’(F)
26 then that person can pray to God and find favor with him,(G)
    they will see God’s face and shout for joy;(H)
    he will restore them to full well-being.(I)
27 And they will go to others and say,
    ‘I have sinned,(J) I have perverted what is right,(K)
    but I did not get what I deserved.(L)
28 God has delivered(M) me from going down to the pit,(N)
    and I shall live to enjoy the light of life.’(O)

Read full chapter

23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:

24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.

25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth:

26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.

27 He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;

28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.

Read full chapter

Hannah’s Prayer

Then Hannah prayed and said:(A)

“My heart rejoices(B) in the Lord;
    in the Lord my horn[a](C) is lifted high.
My mouth boasts(D) over my enemies,(E)
    for I delight in your deliverance.

“There is no one holy(F) like(G) the Lord;
    there is no one besides you;
    there is no Rock(H) like our God.

“Do not keep talking so proudly
    or let your mouth speak such arrogance,(I)
for the Lord is a God who knows,(J)
    and by him deeds(K) are weighed.(L)

“The bows of the warriors are broken,(M)
    but those who stumbled are armed with strength.(N)
Those who were full hire themselves out for food,
    but those who were hungry(O) are hungry no more.
She who was barren(P) has borne seven children,
    but she who has had many sons pines away.

“The Lord brings death and makes alive;(Q)
    he brings down to the grave and raises up.(R)
The Lord sends poverty and wealth;(S)
    he humbles and he exalts.(T)
He raises(U) the poor(V) from the dust(W)
    and lifts the needy(X) from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes
    and has them inherit a throne of honor.(Y)

“For the foundations(Z) of the earth are the Lord’s;
    on them he has set the world.
He will guard the feet(AA) of his faithful servants,(AB)
    but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness.(AC)

“It is not by strength(AD) that one prevails;
10     those who oppose the Lord will be broken.(AE)
The Most High will thunder(AF) from heaven;
    the Lord will judge(AG) the ends of the earth.

“He will give strength(AH) to his king
    and exalt the horn(AI) of his anointed.”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 2:1 Horn here symbolizes strength; also in verse 10.

And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.

There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.

Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.

They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.

The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.

The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and he hath set the world upon them.

He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

10 The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.

Read full chapter

35 I will raise up for myself a faithful priest,(A) who will do according to what is in my heart and mind. I will firmly establish his priestly house, and they will minister before my anointed(B) one always. 36 Then everyone left in your family line will come and bow down before him for a piece of silver and a loaf of bread and plead,(C) “Appoint me to some priestly office so I can have food to eat.(D)”’”

Read full chapter

35 And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.

36 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests' offices, that I may eat a piece of bread.

Read full chapter

16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me[a]; your throne(A) will be established(B) forever.(C)’”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 7:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts you

16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.

Read full chapter

14 I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne(A) will be established forever.(B)’”

Read full chapter

14 But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore.

Read full chapter

Psalm 2

Why do the nations conspire[a]
    and the peoples plot(A) in vain?
The kings(B) of the earth rise up
    and the rulers band together
    against the Lord and against his anointed,(C) saying,
“Let us break their chains(D)
    and throw off their shackles.”(E)

The One enthroned(F) in heaven laughs;(G)
    the Lord scoffs at them.
He rebukes them in his anger(H)
    and terrifies them in his wrath,(I) saying,
“I have installed my king(J)
    on Zion,(K) my holy mountain.(L)

I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:

He said to me, “You are my son;(M)
    today I have become your father.(N)
Ask me,
    and I will make the nations(O) your inheritance,(P)
    the ends of the earth(Q) your possession.
You will break them with a rod of iron[b];(R)
    you will dash them to pieces(S) like pottery.(T)

10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;(U)
    be warned, you rulers(V) of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear(W)
    and celebrate his rule(X) with trembling.(Y)
12 Kiss his son,(Z) or he will be angry
    and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath(AA) can flare up in a moment.
    Blessed(AB) are all who take refuge(AC) in him.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 2:1 Hebrew; Septuagint rage
  2. Psalm 2:9 Or will rule them with an iron scepter (see Septuagint and Syriac)

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,

Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Psalm 16

A miktam[a] of David.

Keep me safe,(A) my God,
    for in you I take refuge.(B)

I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;(C)
    apart from you I have no good thing.”(D)
I say of the holy people(E) who are in the land,(F)
    “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”
Those who run after other gods(G) will suffer(H) more and more.
    I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods
    or take up their names(I) on my lips.

Lord, you alone are my portion(J) and my cup;(K)
    you make my lot(L) secure.
The boundary lines(M) have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    surely I have a delightful inheritance.(N)
I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;(O)
    even at night(P) my heart instructs me.
I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
    With him at my right hand,(Q) I will not be shaken.(R)

Therefore my heart is glad(S) and my tongue rejoices;
    my body also will rest secure,(T)
10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,(U)
    nor will you let your faithful[b] one(V) see decay.(W)
11 You make known to me the path of life;(X)
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,(Y)
    with eternal pleasures(Z) at your right hand.(AA)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 16:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  2. Psalm 16:10 Or holy

16 Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.

O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;

But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.

Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.

The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Psalm 8[a]

For the director of music. According to gittith.[b] A psalm of David.

Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name(A) in all the earth!

You have set your glory(B)
    in the heavens.(C)
Through the praise of children and infants
    you have established a stronghold(D) against your enemies,
    to silence the foe(E) and the avenger.
When I consider your heavens,(F)
    the work of your fingers,(G)
the moon and the stars,(H)
    which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?[c](I)

You have made them[d] a little lower than the angels[e](J)
    and crowned them[f] with glory and honor.(K)
You made them rulers(L) over the works of your hands;(M)
    you put everything under their[g] feet:(N)
all flocks and herds,(O)
    and the animals of the wild,(P)
the birds in the sky,
    and the fish in the sea,(Q)
    all that swim the paths of the seas.

Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!(R)

Psalm 9[h][i]

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Death of the Son.” A psalm of David.

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;(S)
    I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.(T)
I will be glad and rejoice(U) in you;
    I will sing the praises(V) of your name,(W) O Most High.

My enemies turn back;
    they stumble and perish before you.
For you have upheld my right(X) and my cause,(Y)
    sitting enthroned(Z) as the righteous judge.(AA)
You have rebuked the nations(AB) and destroyed the wicked;
    you have blotted out their name(AC) for ever and ever.
Endless ruin has overtaken my enemies,
    you have uprooted their cities;(AD)
    even the memory of them(AE) has perished.

The Lord reigns forever;(AF)
    he has established his throne(AG) for judgment.
He rules the world in righteousness(AH)
    and judges the peoples with equity.(AI)
The Lord is a refuge(AJ) for the oppressed,(AK)
    a stronghold in times of trouble.(AL)
10 Those who know your name(AM) trust in you,
    for you, Lord, have never forsaken(AN) those who seek you.(AO)

11 Sing the praises(AP) of the Lord, enthroned in Zion;(AQ)
    proclaim among the nations(AR) what he has done.(AS)
12 For he who avenges blood(AT) remembers;
    he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted.(AU)

13 Lord, see how my enemies(AV) persecute me!
    Have mercy(AW) and lift me up from the gates of death,(AX)
14 that I may declare your praises(AY)
    in the gates of Daughter Zion,(AZ)
    and there rejoice in your salvation.(BA)

15 The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug;(BB)
    their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.(BC)
16 The Lord is known by his acts of justice;
    the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.[j](BD)
17 The wicked go down to the realm of the dead,(BE)
    all the nations that forget God.(BF)
18 But God will never forget the needy;
    the hope(BG) of the afflicted(BH) will never perish.

19 Arise,(BI) Lord, do not let mortals triumph;(BJ)
    let the nations be judged(BK) in your presence.
20 Strike them with terror,(BL) Lord;
    let the nations know they are only mortal.(BM)

Psalm 10[k]

Why, Lord, do you stand far off?(BN)
    Why do you hide yourself(BO) in times of trouble?

In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak,(BP)
    who are caught in the schemes he devises.
He boasts(BQ) about the cravings of his heart;
    he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord.(BR)
In his pride the wicked man does not seek him;
    in all his thoughts there is no room for God.(BS)
His ways are always prosperous;
    your laws are rejected by[l] him;
    he sneers at all his enemies.
He says to himself, “Nothing will ever shake me.”
    He swears, “No one will ever do me harm.”(BT)

His mouth is full(BU) of lies and threats;(BV)
    trouble and evil are under his tongue.(BW)
He lies in wait(BX) near the villages;
    from ambush he murders the innocent.(BY)
His eyes watch in secret for his victims;
    like a lion in cover he lies in wait.
He lies in wait to catch the helpless;(BZ)
    he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.(CA)
10 His victims are crushed,(CB) they collapse;
    they fall under his strength.
11 He says to himself, “God will never notice;(CC)
    he covers his face and never sees.”(CD)

12 Arise,(CE) Lord! Lift up your hand,(CF) O God.
    Do not forget the helpless.(CG)
13 Why does the wicked man revile God?(CH)
    Why does he say to himself,
    “He won’t call me to account”?(CI)
14 But you, God, see the trouble(CJ) of the afflicted;
    you consider their grief and take it in hand.
The victims commit themselves to you;(CK)
    you are the helper(CL) of the fatherless.
15 Break the arm of the wicked man;(CM)
    call the evildoer to account for his wickedness
    that would not otherwise be found out.

16 The Lord is King for ever and ever;(CN)
    the nations(CO) will perish from his land.
17 You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted;(CP)
    you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,(CQ)
18 defending the fatherless(CR) and the oppressed,(CS)
    so that mere earthly mortals
    will never again strike terror.

Psalm 11

For the director of music. Of David.

In the Lord I take refuge.(CT)
    How then can you say to me:
    “Flee(CU) like a bird to your mountain.(CV)
For look, the wicked bend their bows;(CW)
    they set their arrows(CX) against the strings
to shoot from the shadows(CY)
    at the upright in heart.(CZ)
When the foundations(DA) are being destroyed,
    what can the righteous do?”

The Lord is in his holy temple;(DB)
    the Lord is on his heavenly throne.(DC)
He observes everyone on earth;(DD)
    his eyes examine(DE) them.
The Lord examines the righteous,(DF)
    but the wicked, those who love violence,
    he hates with a passion.(DG)
On the wicked he will rain
    fiery coals and burning sulfur;(DH)
    a scorching wind(DI) will be their lot.

For the Lord is righteous,(DJ)
    he loves justice;(DK)
    the upright(DL) will see his face.(DM)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 8:1 In Hebrew texts 8:1-9 is numbered 8:2-10.
  2. Psalm 8:1 Title: Probably a musical term
  3. Psalm 8:4 Or what is a human being that you are mindful of him, / a son of man that you care for him?
  4. Psalm 8:5 Or him
  5. Psalm 8:5 Or than God
  6. Psalm 8:5 Or him
  7. Psalm 8:6 Or made him ruler . . . ; / . . . his
  8. Psalm 9:1 Psalms 9 and 10 may originally have been a single acrostic poem in which alternating lines began with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. In the Septuagint they constitute one psalm.
  9. Psalm 9:1 In Hebrew texts 9:1-20 is numbered 9:2-21.
  10. Psalm 9:16 The Hebrew has Higgaion and Selah (words of uncertain meaning) here; Selah occurs also at the end of verse 20.
  11. Psalm 10:1 Psalms 9 and 10 may originally have been a single acrostic poem in which alternating lines began with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. In the Septuagint they constitute one psalm.
  12. Psalm 10:5 See Septuagint; Hebrew / they are haughty, and your laws are far from

O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;

The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.

When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.

For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.

Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.

O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.

But the Lord shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.

And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.

The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

11 Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.

12 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.

13 Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:

14 That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.

15 The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.

16 The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.

17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.

19 Arise, O Lord; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.

20 Put them in fear, O Lord: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.

10 Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?

The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.

For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth.

The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.

He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.

His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.

He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.

He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.

10 He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.

11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.

12 Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.

13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.

14 Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.

15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.

16 The Lord is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.

17 Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:

18 To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.

11 In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?

For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.

If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.

Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.

For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.

Psalm 22[a]

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Doe of the Morning.” A psalm of David.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?(A)
    Why are you so far(B) from saving me,
    so far from my cries of anguish?(C)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 22:1 In Hebrew texts 22:1-31 is numbered 22:2-32.

22 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

Read full chapter

18 They divide my clothes among them
    and cast lots(A) for my garment.(B)

Read full chapter

18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

Read full chapter