Axial Commons
Hebrew / JewishChristianity
My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.
Plain English · paraphraseMy tongue will speak of your righteousness all day long. They are put to shame, those who want to harm me.
Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king’s son.
Plain English · paraphraseGive the king your judgments, God, and your righteousness to the king’s son.
He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.
Plain English · paraphraseHe will judge your people fairly and decide the rights of the poor.
The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.
Plain English · paraphraseThe mountains will bring peace to the people, and the hills will do so through righteousness.
He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.
Plain English · paraphraseHe will judge the poor of the people. He will save the children of the needy. He will break the oppressor to pieces.
They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.
Plain English · paraphraseThey will fear you as long as the sun and moon last, for all generations.
He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.
Plain English · paraphraseHe will come down like rain on the cut grass, like a shower that waters the earth.
In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.
Plain English · paraphraseDuring his time, the righteous will thrive; and peace will be plentiful as long as the moon lasts.
He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.
Plain English · paraphraseHe will rule from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth.
They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.
Plain English · paraphraseThose who live in the wilderness will bow down to him. His enemies will lick the dust.
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
Plain English · paraphraseThe kings of Tarshish and the island kings will bring gifts. The kings of Sheba and Seba will offer presents.
Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.
Plain English · paraphraseHe will help the poor when they cry out. He will help the needy and the one without a helper.
He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.
He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.
Plain English · paraphraseHe will save their lives from lies and violence. Their lives will be very valuable to him.
And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised.
Plain English · paraphraseAnd he shall live, and gold from Sheba will be given to him. People will pray for him continually, and he will be praised every day.
There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.
Plain English · paraphraseThere will be grain in the earth on the tops of the mountains; its fruit will shake like Lebanon. And those in the city will flourish like grass on the earth.
His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.
Plain English · paraphraseHis name will last forever. His name will continue as long as the sun. People will bless him. All nations will call him blessed.
Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.
And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.
The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.
Plain English · paraphraseDavid, the son of Jesse, has finished his prayers.
Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
Plain English · paraphraseGod is good to Israel, to those with clean hearts.
But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Plain English · paraphraseI was jealous of the foolish when I saw how the wicked prospered.
For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
Plain English · paraphraseThey don't suffer trouble like other people. They aren't plagued like other people.
Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
Plain English · paraphrasePride surrounds them like a chain. Violence covers them like a garment.
Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
Plain English · paraphraseTheir eyes bulge from being so full; they have more than their hearts could wish for.
They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
Plain English · paraphraseThey are corrupt and speak wickedly about oppression. They speak with pride.
They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
Plain English · paraphraseLook, these are the wicked people who do well in the world; they grow richer and richer.
Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
Plain English · paraphraseAll day long I have been troubled, and every morning I am punished.
If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
Plain English · paraphraseIf I say, "I will speak in this way," look, I would be offending against the generation of your children.
When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
Plain English · paraphraseWhen I tried to understand this, it hurt too much.
Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
Plain English · paraphraseHow quickly they are brought into ruin! They are completely destroyed by terrors.
As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
Plain English · paraphraseMy heart was sad, and I felt pain deep in my heart.
So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
Plain English · paraphraseI was so foolish and ignorant, like a beast before you.
Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
Plain English · paraphraseYou will guide me with your advice, and then take me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
Plain English · paraphraseWho else do I have in heaven but you? And I desire no one on earth besides you.
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
Plain English · paraphraseMy body and my heart grow weak, but God is the strength of my heart, and my share forever.
For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
Plain English · paraphraseFor they who are far from you will perish. You have destroyed all who turn away from you.
But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.
Plain English · paraphraseBut it is good for me to be close to God. I have trusted in the Lord GOD, so that I may tell about all your works.
O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?
Plain English · paraphraseO God, why have you cast us off forever? Why does your anger burn against the sheep in your pasture?
Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old; the rod of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt.
Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary.
Plain English · paraphraseGo to the lasting ruins; look at all the evil the enemy has done in the holy place.
Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up their ensigns for signs.
Plain English · paraphraseYour enemies are shouting in the middle of your gatherings; they raise their flags as signals.
A man was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees.
But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers.
They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of thy name to the ground.
Plain English · paraphraseThey have thrown fire into your holy place. They have made it unclean by tearing down the place where your name dwells and casting it to the ground.
They said in their hearts, Let us destroy them together: they have burned up all the synagogues of God in the land.
We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.
Plain English · paraphraseWe do not see our signs. There is no prophet left. There is no one among us who knows how long.
O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?
Plain English · paraphraseO God, how long will the enemy insult? Shall the enemy always mock your name?
Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck it out of thy bosom.
Plain English · paraphraseWhy do you pull back your hand, your right hand? Pull it out of your chest.
For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.
Plain English · paraphraseGod is my ancient King, bringing salvation to the earth.
Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters.
Plain English · paraphraseYou divided the sea with your strength; you broke the heads of the dragons in the waters.
Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.
Plain English · paraphraseYou smashed the head of Leviathan into pieces and gave it as food to the people living in the wilderness.
Thou didst cleave the fountain and the flood: thou driedst up mighty rivers.
The day is thine, the night also is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun.
Plain English · paraphraseThe day is yours, and the night is yours too. You made the light and the sun.
Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and winter.
Plain English · paraphraseYou have set all the boundaries of the earth. You have made summer and winter.
Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.
Plain English · paraphraseRemember this, O Lord, that the enemy has insulted you, and that the foolish people have cursed your name.
O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever.
Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.
Plain English · paraphraseRespect the covenant. The dark places of the earth are full of homes for cruelty.
O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise thy name.
Plain English · paraphraseDo not let the oppressed return in shame. Let the poor and needy praise your name.
Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily.
Plain English · paraphraseGet up, God, and argue your own case. Remember how the foolish man insults you every day.
Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually.
Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.
Plain English · paraphraseTo you, O God, we give thanks, to you we give thanks, because your name is near; your wonderful works are known.
When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly.
Plain English · paraphraseWhen I come to gather the people, I will judge them fairly.
The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the pillars of it. Selah.
Plain English · paraphraseThe earth and all who live on it are destroyed. I hold up its pillars. Selah.
I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn:
Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck.
For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
Plain English · paraphrasePromotion does not come from the east, or the west, or the south.
But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
Plain English · paraphraseBut God is the judge. He brings one down and raises up another.
For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them.
Plain English · paraphraseIn the hand of the Lord is a cup, and the wine is red. It is full of a mixture. He pours it out. But the dregs of it, all the wicked of the earth will wring them out and drink them.
But I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.
In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel.
Plain English · paraphraseIn Judah, God is known. His name is great in Israel.
In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.
Plain English · paraphraseHis tent is in Salem, and his home is in Zion.
There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah.
Plain English · paraphraseHe broke the arrows, the bow, the shield, the sword, and the battle. Selah.
Thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey.
The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands.
Plain English · paraphraseThe brave are ruined; they have taken their rest. None of the strong have found their hands.
At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep.
Plain English · paraphraseAt your command, God of Jacob, both the chariot and the horse fall into a deep sleep.
Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?
Plain English · paraphraseYou, even you, are to be feared. Who can stand in your presence when you are angry?
Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still,
Plain English · paraphraseYou made judgment sound from heaven; the earth trembled and was silent.
When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.
Plain English · paraphraseWhen God stood up to judge, to rescue all the humble on earth. Selah.
Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.
Plain English · paraphraseHuman anger will praise you. You can hold back the rest of it.
Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.
Plain English · paraphrasePromise and pay to the Lord your God. Let everyone around him bring gifts to the one who should be feared.
He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.
Plain English · paraphraseHe will destroy the power of rulers. He is a threat to the kings of the earth.
I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.
Plain English · paraphraseI cried out to God with my voice, to God I cried out, and he listened to me.
In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.
Plain English · paraphraseOn the day of my trouble I called to the Lord. My pain kept me awake all night. It did not stop. My soul would not be comforted.
I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.
Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
Plain English · paraphraseYou keep my eyes awake; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.
Plain English · paraphraseI have thought about the days of long ago, the years of ancient times.
I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.
Plain English · paraphraseI remember my song in the night. I speak with my own heart. My spirit searches carefully.