Axial Commons
Hebrew / JewishChristianity
The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.
Plain English · paraphraseGod rules; let the people be afraid. He sits between the cherubim; let the earth shake.
The LORD is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people.
Plain English · paraphraseThe Lord is great in Zion. He is higher than all the people.
Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.
The king’s strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
Plain English · paraphraseThe king's strength also loves justice; you establish fairness, you carry out judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.
Plain English · paraphraseHe spoke to them from the cloud-covered pillar. They followed his commands and kept the rules he gave them.
Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.
Plain English · paraphraseYou answered them, Lord our God. You were a God who forgave them, even though you took revenge for their sins.
Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Plain English · paraphraseDo you know that the Lord is God? He is the one who made us, not us ourselves. We are his people, the sheep in his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
Plain English · paraphraseGo through his gates with thanks, and into his courts with praise. Be thankful to him, and bless his name.
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Plain English · paraphraseThe Lord is good. His mercy lasts forever. His truth continues for all generations.
I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.
Plain English · paraphraseI will sing about mercy and judgment. To you, Lord, I will sing.
I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
Plain English · paraphraseI will act wisely in a complete way. When will you come to me? I will walk in my house with a perfect heart.
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
Plain English · paraphraseI will not let evil things be in front of my eyes. I hate the actions of those who go the wrong way. That kind of thing will not stick to me.
A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
Plain English · paraphraseA rebellious heart will leave me. I will not be friends with a wicked person.
Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
Plain English · paraphraseWhoever secretly slanders his neighbor, I will destroy. I will not tolerate one with a haughty look and a proud heart.
Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
Plain English · paraphraseMy eyes will be on those who are faithful in the land, to live with me. The one who walks in a perfect way will serve me.
He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
Plain English · paraphraseThe one who practices deception will not live in my house. The one who tells lies will not stay in my presence.
I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.
Plain English · paraphraseI will quickly destroy all the wicked in the land, to remove all evildoers from the city of the Lord.
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.
Plain English · paraphraseHear my prayer, Lord. Let my cry come to you.
Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.
For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.
Plain English · paraphraseMy days are disappearing like smoke, and my bones are burning like a hearth.
My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.
By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.
I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.
I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.
Plain English · paraphraseI watch and feel like a lonely sparrow on the rooftop.
Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.
Plain English · paraphraseMy enemies insult me all day long; and those who are angry with me have sworn against me.
For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping.
Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.
Plain English · paraphraseBecause of your anger and your wrath: for you have lifted me up and cast me down.
My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.
Plain English · paraphraseMy days are like a shadow that fades; I am dried up like grass.
But thou, O LORD, shall endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.
Plain English · paraphraseBut you, O Lord, will last forever. Your name will be remembered through all generations.
Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.
Plain English · paraphraseYou will rise and show mercy to Zion. The time to favor her, the appointed time, has come.
For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.
Plain English · paraphraseYour servants enjoy her stones and like the dust there.
So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.
When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.
Plain English · paraphraseWhen the Lord rebuilds Zion, he will show his glory.
He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.
Plain English · paraphraseHe will listen to the prayer of the poor and will not ignore their prayer.
This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.
Plain English · paraphraseThis will be written for the generation to come. The people who are created will praise the LORD.
For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;
Plain English · paraphraseHe looked down from the height of his holy place. From heaven, the Lord looked at the earth.
To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;
Plain English · paraphraseTo hear the groaning of the prisoner; to free those who are sentenced to death;
To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
Plain English · paraphraseTo announce the name of the Lord in Zion, and to praise him in Jerusalem;
When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.
Plain English · paraphraseHe weakened my strength on the journey; he shortened my days.
I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.
Plain English · paraphraseI said, "O my God, do not take me away in the middle of my days. Your years last through all generations."
Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
Plain English · paraphraseLong ago you laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are your work, made by your hands.
They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:
Plain English · paraphraseThey will perish, but you will endure. Yes, all of them will grow old like a piece of clothing. Like a robe, you will change them, and they will be changed.
But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
Plain English · paraphraseBut you remain the same, and your years will never end.
The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.
Plain English · paraphraseThe children of your servants will continue, and their offspring will be established before you.
Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Plain English · paraphraseBless the Lord, O my soul. Let everything within me bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Plain English · paraphraseWho forgives all your sins; who heals all your diseases;
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Plain English · paraphraseWho saves your life from destruction; who crowns you with kindness and tender mercy;
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Plain English · paraphraseWho fills your mouth with good things; so that your youth is made new like an eagle’s.
The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
Plain English · paraphraseThe Lord carries out righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
Plain English · paraphraseHe told Moses about his plans and showed the children of Israel what he did.
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
Plain English · paraphraseThe Lord is merciful and kind, slow to get angry, and full of mercy.
He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
Plain English · paraphraseHe will not keep scolding forever. He will not stay angry always.
He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
Plain English · paraphraseHe has not treated us according to our sins, nor paid us back for our wickedness.
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
Plain English · paraphraseHis mercy toward those who fear him is as great as the sky is high above the earth.
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Plain English · paraphraseAs far as the east is from the west, he has taken our sins far away from us.
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
Plain English · paraphraseLike a father who feels pity for his children, the Lord feels pity for those who fear him.
For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
Plain English · paraphraseHe knows how we are made. He remembers that we are made of dust.
As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
Plain English · paraphraseHuman life is like grass; like a field flower, it blooms.
For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
Plain English · paraphraseFor the wind passes over it, and it is gone; and the place where it was will not know it again.
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;
Plain English · paraphraseBut the mercy of the Lord lasts forever on those who fear him, and his righteousness continues to their children’s children;
To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
Plain English · paraphraseTo those who keep his agreement, and to those who remember his commands and do them.
The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
Plain English · paraphraseGod has set his throne in the heavens. His kingdom rules over everything.
Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
Plain English · paraphraseBless the Lord, you his angels, who are strong and do what he commands, who listen to the sound of his word.
Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.
Plain English · paraphrasePraise the Lord, all his works, in every place where he rules. Praise the Lord, O my soul.
Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.
Plain English · paraphraseBless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty.
Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
Plain English · paraphraseYou cover yourself with light like a robe. You stretch out the heavens like a curtain.
Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:
Plain English · paraphraseWho places the beams of his rooms in the water? Who makes the clouds his chariot? Who walks on the wings of the wind?
Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:
Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.
Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains.
Plain English · paraphraseYou covered it with the deep like a garment. The waters stood above the mountains.
At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.
Plain English · paraphraseAt your command they ran away; at the sound of your thunder they hurried off.
They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them.
Plain English · paraphraseThey go up over the mountains; they go down through the valleys to the place you have prepared for them.
Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.
Plain English · paraphraseYou have set a boundary they cannot cross; they cannot turn back to cover the earth.
He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills.
Plain English · paraphraseHe sends the springs into the valleys, where they run among the hills.
They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst.
By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches.
Plain English · paraphraseThrough them, the birds of the sky will have their home, where they sing among the branches.
He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.
He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;
Plain English · paraphraseHe makes the grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to use. This way, people can get food from the earth.
And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.
Plain English · paraphraseAnd wine that makes happy the heart of man, and oil to make his face shine, and bread that strengthens man’s heart.
The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;
Plain English · paraphraseThe trees of the Lord are filled with sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he has planted;
Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.
The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.
He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.
Plain English · paraphraseHe set the moon to mark the seasons. The sun knows when to set.
Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.
The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.
Plain English · paraphraseThe young lions roar as they hunt for their prey and ask God for their food.
The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens.
Plain English · paraphraseThe sun rises, they come together, and lie down in their dens.
Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.
Plain English · paraphraseA person goes out to his work and his labor until evening.
O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.
Plain English · paraphraseO Lord, how many things you have made! You made everything with wisdom. The earth is full of your treasures.
So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.
Plain English · paraphraseSo is this great and wide sea, in which there are countless creatures crawling, both small and large animals.
There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein.
Plain English · paraphraseThere go the ships. There is that leviathan, whom you made to play there.
These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.
Plain English · paraphraseThey all wait for you to give them their food at the right time.
That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.
Plain English · paraphraseYou give them what they gather. You open your hand, and they are filled with good things.