The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.

Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.

Plain English · paraphraseDo not destroy them, or my people will forget. Scatter them by your power, and bring them down, Lord our shield.

For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.

Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.

Plain English · paraphraseDestroy them in anger, destroy them, so that they do not exist. Let them know that God rules over Jacob to the ends of the earth. Selah.

And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.

Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.

Plain English · paraphraseLet them wander back and forth looking for food, and be stingy if they are not satisfied.

But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.

Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.

Plain English · paraphraseTo you, O my strength, I will sing. For God is my protection, and the God who shows me mercy.

O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.

Plain English · paraphraseO God, you have cast us off. You have scattered us. You have been displeased. O, turn yourself to us again.

Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh.

Plain English · paraphraseYou have made the earth tremble; you have broken it. Heal its cracks, because it is shaking.

Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.

Plain English · paraphraseYou have shown your people hard things. You have made us drink the wine of astonishment.

Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.

Plain English · paraphraseYou have given a banner to those who fear you, so that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.

That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me.

God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.

Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;

Plain English · paraphraseGilead belongs to me, and Manasseh is mine. Ephraim is the strength of my head. Judah is my lawgiver.

Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me.

Plain English · paraphraseMoab is my washpot. Over Edom I will cast out my shoe. Philistia, triumph because of me.

Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?

Wilt not thou, O God, which hadst cast us off? and thou, O God, which didst not go out with our armies?

Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.

Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

Plain English · paraphraseBecause of God, we will be strong. He will crush our enemies.

Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.

Plain English · paraphraseHear my cry, God. Listen to my prayer.

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.

Plain English · paraphraseYou have been a shelter for me, a strong tower against the enemy.

I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

Plain English · paraphraseI will stay in your house forever. I will trust in the safety of your wings. Selah.

For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.

Plain English · paraphraseYou, God, have heard my promises. You have given me the inheritance of those who honor your name.

Thou wilt prolong the king’s life: and his years as many generations.

Plain English · paraphraseYou will prolong the king’s life, and his years will be as many generations.

He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.

Plain English · paraphraseHe will stay before God forever. O prepare mercy and truth to preserve him.

So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.

Plain English · paraphraseSo I will praise your name forever, to keep my daily vows.

Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.

Plain English · paraphraseMy soul waits for God. My salvation comes from him.

He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.

Plain English · paraphraseHe alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my protection; I will not be greatly shaken.

How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.

Plain English · paraphraseHow long will you plan evil against a person? You will all be killed. You are like a wall that is leaning and about to fall, and like a fence that is shaking and unstable.

They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.

Plain English · paraphraseThey only plan to bring him down from his high place. They take pleasure in lies. They speak blessings with their mouths, but they curse inwardly. Selah.

My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.

Plain English · paraphraseMy soul, wait only on God. My hope comes from him.

He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.

Plain English · paraphraseHe alone is my rock and my salvation. He is my protection. I will not be shaken.

In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

Plain English · paraphraseMy salvation and my glory are in God. He is the rock of my strength and my refuge.

Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Plain English · paraphraseTrust him always. People, pour out your hearts to him. God is our refuge. Selah.

Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.

Plain English · paraphraseMen of low rank are empty, and men of high rank are false. When weighed on a scale, they are lighter than emptiness.

Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.

Plain English · paraphraseDo not trust in oppression. Do not become proud because of robbery. If your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.

God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.

Plain English · paraphraseGod has spoken once; I have heard it twice: power belongs to God.

Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.

Plain English · paraphraseMercy belongs to you, Lord. You give to each person what their actions deserve.

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

Plain English · paraphraseO God, you are my God. I will seek you early. My soul longs for you. My body aches for you in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.

To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

Plain English · paraphraseTo see your power and your glory, as I have seen you in the sanctuary.

Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

Plain English · paraphraseYour love is better than life. My lips will praise you.

Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

Plain English · paraphraseI will bless you as long as I live. In your name, I will lift up my hands.

My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:

Plain English · paraphraseMy soul will be satisfied, as if eating rich marrow and fat. My mouth will praise you with happy lips.

When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen I remember you on my bed, and think about you during the night watches.

Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

Plain English · paraphraseBecause you have helped me, I will be happy in the safety of your wings.

My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

Plain English · paraphraseMy soul clings closely to you. Your right hand supports me.

But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.

Plain English · paraphraseBut those who seek my life to destroy it will go down to the lower parts of the earth.

They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.

Plain English · paraphraseThey will fall by the sword. They will be food for the foxes.

But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

Plain English · paraphraseBut the king will be glad in God; everyone who promises by him will be proud. But the mouths of those who tell lies will be shut.

Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.

Plain English · paraphraseHear my voice, O God, when I pray. Keep me safe from the fear of my enemies.

Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:

Plain English · paraphraseHide me from the secret plans of the wicked; from the rebellion of those who do evil.

Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:

That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.

Plain English · paraphraseThat they may shoot in secret at the blameless. Suddenly they shoot at him and do not fear.

They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?

Plain English · paraphraseThey encourage themselves in an evil matter. They talk about setting traps secretly. They say, "Who will see them?"

They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.

Plain English · paraphraseThey look for wickedness; they search carefully. The inner thoughts of each one and their hearts are deep.

But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.

Plain English · paraphraseBut God will shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly they will be wounded.

So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.

Plain English · paraphraseSo their own words will bring them down; everyone who sees them will run away.

And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd all people will fear and will tell about God's work, for they will carefully think about what he has done.

The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.

Plain English · paraphraseThe righteous will be glad in the Lord and will trust in him. All those with upright hearts will glory in him.

Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed.

Plain English · paraphrasePraise waits for you, God, in Zion. To you, the vow will be kept.

O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.

Plain English · paraphraseO you who hears prayers, all people will come to you.

Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.

Plain English · paraphraseIniquities have overwhelmed me. As for our transgressions, you will purge them away.

Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.

Plain English · paraphraseBlessed is the man you choose and bring near to you, to live in your courts. We will be satisfied with the goodness of your house, even of your holy temple.

By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:

Plain English · paraphraseWith terrible things done in righteousness you will answer us, God of our salvation. You are the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of those who are far off on the sea:

Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power:

Plain English · paraphraseWho by his strength fixes the mountains in place, wrapped in power:

Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.

Plain English · paraphraseWhich makes quiet the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the shouting of the people.

They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.

Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.

Plain English · paraphraseYou come to the earth and water it. You greatly enrich it with the river of God, which is full of water. You prepare grain for them when you have so provided for it.

Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof.

Plain English · paraphraseYou water the ridges of it a lot. You level the furrows. You make it soft with rain. You bless its growth.

Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.

They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side.

Plain English · paraphraseThey fall on the pastures of the wilderness. The little hills rejoice on every side.

The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.

Plain English · paraphraseThe pastures are filled with flocks of sheep. The valleys are covered with grain. They shout for joy. They sing.

Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:

Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.

Plain English · paraphraseSing about the honor of his name. Make his praise glorious.

Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.

Plain English · paraphraseSay to God, "How terrible you are in your works! Because of the greatness of your power, your enemies will submit to you."

All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.

Plain English · paraphraseAll the earth will worship you and sing to you. They will sing to your name. Selah.

Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.

Plain English · paraphraseCome and see the works of God. He is terrible in what he does to the children of men.

He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.

Plain English · paraphraseHe turned the sea into dry land. They walked through the flood on foot. There we rejoiced in him.

He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.

Plain English · paraphraseHe rules forever with his power; his eyes watch the nations. Let the rebellious not lift themselves up. Selah.

O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:

Plain English · paraphraseO bless our God, people, and let the sound of his praise be heard:

Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.

For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.

Plain English · paraphraseYou, God, have tested us. You have examined us, as silver is examined.

Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.

Plain English · paraphraseYou brought us into the trap; you placed suffering on our backs.

Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.

Plain English · paraphraseYou let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water. But you brought us out to a place full of good things.

I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows,

Plain English · paraphraseI will go to your house with burnt offerings. I will pay my vows to you.

Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.

Plain English · paraphraseThese words my lips have spoken, and my mouth has said, when I was in trouble.

I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.

Plain English · paraphraseI will offer you burnt sacrifices of fatlings, along with the incense of rams. I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.

Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.

Plain English · paraphraseCome and listen, all of you who fear God. I will tell you what he has done for my soul.

I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.

Plain English · paraphraseI cried out to him with my mouth, and he was praised with my tongue.

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

Plain English · paraphraseIf I hold sin in my heart, the Lord will not listen to me:

But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.

Plain English · paraphraseBut God has heard me. He has listened to the voice of my prayer.

Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.

Plain English · paraphraseGod, be merciful to us and bless us. Let his face shine on us. Selah.

That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.

Plain English · paraphraseSo that your way will be known on earth, your saving health among all nations.

Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.

Plain English · paraphraseLet the people praise you, God; let all the people praise you.

O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.

Plain English · paraphraseLet the nations be glad and sing for joy, because you will judge the people fairly and rule the nations on earth. Selah.

Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.

Plain English · paraphraseLet the people praise you, God; let all the people praise you.

Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.

Plain English · paraphraseThen the earth will produce its crops; and God, our own God, will bless us.