I used this text as follows to do a very short introduction and tour of the 150 Psalms in a parish presentation. A more readable PDF version was posted HERE on the St. John Vianney Parish website.
Psalms copied from
World English Bible with Deuterocanon
( https://ebible.org/eng-web/)
All in the public domain.
All symbols visible within the text indicate on online footnote or cross reference
available at the above URL.
The Psalms are prayers. But they are the most varied collection of prayers that could ever exist. They do not all fall into the most common categories of “thanking God,” “praising God,” or “petitioning God.” For an introduction, here is one possible description of the “types” of Psalms.
- Praise Psalms – these ones thank God, or simply acknowledge His majesty and His Glory and His great works in the world.
- Lament Psalms – These contain many petitions, but they contain large sections of “commiseration.” The Laments are spoken to God, not to oneself. Thus they are prayers. In many lament psalms there is the clear expectation is that God will hear the complaint, and will do something about it! Often, the evil oppressor or the unjust persecutor, is spoken of in the 3rd person. Regarding these troublemakers, the exact corrective or punishment is often left up to God.
- Thanksgiving Psalms: Some Psalms allude to graces and works that God bestowed upon the individual praying the Psalm. Often, the History of Israel is invoked, or described in detail, as a means to praise God who made Israel to be “his people” with mighty signs and wonders. These historical accounts are meant to elicit praise and thanks.
- Royal Psalms: – these recall the kings of Israel (especially David and Solomon). They also pray for the king of Israel, or the Kingdom as a whole.
- Wisdom Psalms: – Sometimes the Psalm is written with a clear goal to “teach” something to the person praying the Psalm. The History of Israel can be presented also with a view towards “wisdom.” To know what God has done is to encounter the wisdom of God, and to learn from it.
- Imprecatory Psalms: The evil oppressor, the unjust persecutor, is again spoken of in the 3rd person. But the psalmist makes the pronouncement as to what the just punishment ought to be.
- Penitential Psalms: – the purpose of these prayers of contrition are evident. We invoke God’s mercy and kindness, for the forgiveness of sins and the healing of the wrongs we have causes.
Other categories of Psalms
- Some are treated as Prophetic (especially if the New Testament understands them as such)
- Some are Messianic (either explained as such in the New Testament, or by the saints of the Church) – Note, “the Lord’s anointed” is always a hint at Jesus.
- The Psalms are very much ecclesial (i.e. full of “Church-significance”) because Israel as a people prefigures the baptized Body of Christ; and Jerusalem as a “place” prefigures the Communion of Saints connected to Jesus and Mary in heaven.
- There are psalms associated with pilgrimage to Jerusalem, with entering the Temple, with the great Jewish feasts.
- Some Psalms are attributed to David right in the very text of the Psalm. Others have historical clues, but no attribution.
- All the Psalms are written in Hebrew. Some distinctions and nuances between the Psalms are tied directly to the history of the Hebrew language, grammar, vocabulary, and Hebrew poetic genres (far beyond the topic of this introduction).
Here we must immediately say that since the Psalms have such a great variety, they are not all meant to be prayed in the same way. They cannot be substituted for each other at random. Hardly any two Psalms will have the same purpose at any given moment when we bring ourselves to pray. There are some Psalms that must be prayed with much imagination (some picturesque day-dreaming may be allowed!). Others require a significant amount of knowledge in Bible History to truly appreciate them. There are some Psalms that must be reflected upon prayerfully, but are not really meant for petitions; these might simply inspire wonder and awe. Most Psalms could be used to offer direct praise to God, but certainly not all. Some are easily applicable to the Christian faith. Others need to be reinterpreted radically as they are now placed next to the New Testament and the Gospels.
Here is a beginning theme: Constantly throughout the whole of the Psalms you will see the theme of separation between the wicked and the righteous. This judgment between the good and the bad is set first off in Psalm #1.
Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stand on the path of sinners,
nor sit in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in Yahweh’s† law.*
On his law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water,
that produces its fruit in its season,
whose leaf also does not wither.
Whatever he does shall prosper.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For Yahweh knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked shall perish.
Psalm 2 – This Psalm is paired with Psalm 1 historically through the Old Testament.
1 Why do the nations rage,
and the peoples plot a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth take a stand,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against Yahweh, and against his Anointed,† saying,
3 “Let’s break their bonds apart,
and cast their cords from us.”
4 He who sits in the heavens will laugh.
The Lord‡ will have them in derision.
5 Then he will speak to them in his anger,
and terrify them in his wrath:
6 “Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion.”
7 I will tell of the decree:
Yahweh said to me, “You are my son.
Today I have become your father.
8 Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance
the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron.
You shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
10 Now therefore be wise, you kings.
Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve Yahweh with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
12 Give sincere homage to the Son,§ lest he be angry,
and you perish on the way,
for his wrath will soon be kindled.
Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.
NOTE 1: The WEB translation here gives the Hebrew name for God “Yahweh,” which means “I AM WHO AM.” The Jews would not pronounce this name when they read the Psalms (or any Scripture). When they saw the name “Yahweh” they actually said “Adonai,” which means “Lord.” I will try to use the convention of some Catholic Bibles, and say “LORD” even when the text reads “Yahweh.”
Note 2: “The wicked are not so” – You will not find in the Psalms explicit prayers for the moral conversion of the wicked man. The primary approach to good and evil is that of punishing the wicked man, and rescuing and rewarding the righteous man. Yes, the Hebrew authors would have held out the possibility of conversion. The punishments “prayed upon” the wicked man are contingent in this light: “if they do not repent and right their wrongs…then!” The Psalms in a sense invite the same judgment upon oneself, unless we commit to our own sanctification. For example, the Penitential Psalms acknowledge that “I am deserving of punishment, but now I rely on the fact that God is merciful.” The sinful heritage of Israel’s own ancestors is acknowledged, even while calling upon God to notice the sinfulness of the unrighteous pagans.
Theme: Psalm pairing is an example of collation sections in the Book of Psalms.
There two sections in the Psalms that have a specific group “name” and common purpose:
- “Songs of Ascent” are a collection of fifteen psalms (Psalms 120-134) – pilgrimage Psalms going “up” to Jerusalem.
- Hallel Psalms are praise Psalms grouped together in Psalms 113-118
By a simple division of the 150 Psalms, there are historical references to 5 books, although each “book” was not a clean division into 5 groups of 30 Psalms:
- Book I: Psalms 1-41 (41)
- Book II: Psalms 42-72 (31)
- Book III: Psalms 73-89 (17)
- Book IV: Psalms 90-106 (17)
- Book V: Psalms 107-150 (44)
Psalm 8 – Praise!
1 For the Chief Musician; on an instrument of Gath. A Psalm by David.
Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens!
2 From the lips of babes and infants you have established strength,
because of your adversaries, that you might silence the
enemy and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have ordained,
4 what is man, that you think of him?
What is the son of man, that you care for him?
5 For you have made him a little lower than the angels,†
and crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You make him ruler over the works of your hands.
You have put all things under his feet:
7 All sheep and cattle,
yes, and the animals of the field,
8 the birds of the sky, the fish of the sea,
and whatever passes through the paths of the seas.
9 Yahweh, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Psalm 20 – Royal, Messianic, and intercessory
1For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.
May Yahweh answer you in the day of trouble.
May the name of the God of Jacob set you up on high,
2 send you help from the sanctuary,
grant you support from Zion,
3 remember all your offerings,
and accept your burned sacrifice. Selah.
4 May he grant you your heart’s desire,
and fulfill all your counsel.
5 We will triumph in your salvation.
In the name of our God, we will set up our banners.
May Yahweh grant all your requests.
6 Now I know that Yahweh saves his anointed.
He will answer him from his holy heaven,
with the saving strength of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of Yahweh our God.
8 They are bowed down and fallen,
but we rise up, and stand upright.
9 Save, Yahweh!
Let the King answer us when we call!
[NOTE: Selah is a musical notation, which became part of the historical text.]
Psalm 22 –This is a Lament Psalm, and also prophetic (hence David is called a prophet by the Apostles)
1 For the Chief Musician; set to “The Doe of the Morning.” A Psalm by David.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?
2 My God, I cry in the daytime, but you don’t answer;
in the night season, and am not silent.
3 But you are holy,
you who inhabit the praises of Israel.
4 Our fathers trusted in you.
They trusted, and you delivered them.
5 They cried to you, and were delivered.
They trusted in you, and were not disappointed.
6 But I am a worm, and no man;
a reproach of men, and despised by the people.
7 All those who see me mock me.
They insult me with their lips. They shake their heads, saying,
8 “He trusts in Yahweh.
Let him deliver him.
Let him rescue him, since he delights in him.”
9 But you brought me out of the womb.
You made me trust while at my mother’s breasts.
10 I was thrown on you from my mother’s womb.
You are my God since my mother bore me.
11 Don’t be far from me, for trouble is near.
For there is no one to help.
12 Many bulls have surrounded me.
Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me.
13 They open their mouths wide against me,
lions tearing prey and roaring.
14 I am poured out like water.
All my bones are out of joint.
My heart is like wax.
It is melted within me.
15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd.
My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.
You have brought me into the dust of death.
16 For dogs have surrounded me.
A company of evildoers have enclosed me.
They have pierced my hands and feet.†
17 I can count all of my bones.
They look and stare at me.
18 They divide my garments among them.
They cast lots for my clothing.
19 But don’t be far off, Yahweh.
You are my help. Hurry to help me!
20 Deliver my soul from the sword,
my precious life from the power of the dog.
21 Save me from the lion’s mouth!
Yes, you have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen.
22 I will declare your name to my brothers.
Among the assembly, I will praise you.
23 You who fear Yahweh, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, glorify him!
Stand in awe of him, all you descendants of Israel!
24 For he has not despised nor abhorred the affliction
of the afflicted,
neither has he hidden his face from him;
but when he cried to him, he heard.
25 My praise of you comes in the great assembly.
I will pay my vows before those who fear him.
26 The humble shall eat and be satisfied.
They shall praise Yahweh who seek after him.
Let your hearts live forever.
27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn
to Yahweh.
All the relatives of the nations shall worship before you.
28 For the kingdom is Yahweh’s.
He is the ruler over the nations.
29 All the rich ones of the earth shall eat and worship.
All those who go down to the dust shall bow before him,
even he who can’t keep his soul alive.
30 Posterity shall serve him.
Future generations shall be told about the Lord.
31 They shall come and shall declare his righteousness to a people that shall be born,
for he has done it.
Psalm 25
By David.
1 To you, Yahweh, I lift up my soul.
2 My God, I have trusted in you.
Don’t let me be shamed.
Don’t let my enemies triumph over me.
3 Yes, no one who waits for you will be shamed.
They will be shamed who deal treacherously without cause.
4 Show me your ways, Yahweh.
Teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth, and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation.
I wait for you all day long.
6 Yahweh, remember your tender mercies and your loving kindness,
for they are from old times.
7 Don’t remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions.
Remember me according to your loving kindness,
for your goodness’ sake, Yahweh.
8 Good and upright is Yahweh,
therefore he will instruct sinners in the way.
9 He will guide the humble in justice.
He will teach the humble his way.
10 All the paths of Yahweh are loving kindness and truth
to such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11 For your name’s sake, Yahweh,
pardon my iniquity, for it is great.
12 What man is he who fears Yahweh?
He shall instruct him in the way that he shall choose.
13 His soul will dwell at ease.
His offspring will inherit the land.
14 The friendship of Yahweh is with those who fear him.
He will show them his covenant.
15 My eyes are ever on Yahweh,
for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
16 Turn to me, and have mercy on me,
for I am desolate and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged.
Oh bring me out of my distresses.
18 Consider my affliction and my travail.
Forgive all my sins.
19 Consider my enemies, for they are many.
They hate me with cruel hatred.
20 Oh keep my soul, and deliver me.
Let me not be disappointed, for I take refuge in you.
21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,
for I wait for you.
22 God, redeem Israel
out of all his troubles.
Psalm 34
1 By David; when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.
†I will bless Yahweh at all times.
His praise will always be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall boast in Yahweh.
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
3 Oh magnify Yahweh with me.
Let’s exalt his name together.
4 I sought Yahweh, and he answered me,
and delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked to him, and were radiant.
Their faces shall never be covered with shame.
6 This poor man cried, and Yahweh heard him,
and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 Yahweh’s angel encamps around those who fear him,
and delivers them.
8 Oh taste and see that Yahweh is good.
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
9 Oh fear Yahweh, you his saints,
for there is no lack with those who fear him.
10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger,
but those who seek Yahweh shall not lack any good thing.
11 Come, you children, listen to me.
I will teach you the fear of Yahweh.
12 Who is someone who desires life,
and loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil,
and your lips from speaking lies.
14 Depart from evil, and do good.
Seek peace, and pursue it.
15 Yahweh’s eyes are toward the righteous.
His ears listen to their cry.
16 Yahweh’s face is against those who do evil,
to cut off their memory from the earth.
17 The righteous cry, and Yahweh hears,
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart,
and saves those who have a crushed spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but Yahweh delivers him out of them all.
20 He protects all of his bones.
Not one of them is broken.
21 Evil shall kill the wicked.
Those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
22 Yahweh redeems the soul of his servants.
None of those who take refuge in him shall be condemned.
Psalm 43 – This used to be prayed at the start of EVERY SINGLE MASS!
1 Vindicate me, God, and plead my cause
against an ungodly nation.
Oh, deliver me from deceitful and wicked men.
2 For you are the God of my strength. Why have you rejected me?
Why do I go mourning because of the oppression
of the enemy?
3 Oh, send out your light and your truth.
Let them lead me.
Let them bring me to your holy hill,
to your tents.
4 Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God, my exceeding joy.
I will praise you on the harp, God, my God.
5 Why are you in despair, my soul?
Why are you disturbed within me?
Hope in God!
For I shall still praise him:
my Savior, my helper, and my God.
Psalm 46
For the Chief Musician. By the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth.†
1 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we won’t be afraid, though the earth changes,
though the mountains are shaken
into the heart of the seas;
3 though its waters roar and are troubled,
though the mountains tremble with their swelling. Selah.
4 There is a river, the streams of which make the city of God glad,
the holy place of the tents of the Most High.
5 God is within her. She shall not be moved.
God will help her at dawn.
6 The nations raged. The kingdoms were moved.
He lifted his voice and the earth melted.
7 Yahweh of Armies is with us.
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
8 Come, see Yahweh’s works,
what desolations he has made in the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth.
He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear.
He burns the chariots in the fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations.
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 Yahweh of Armies is with us.
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
THEME: READING THE PSALMS WITH THE FULL KNOWLEDGE OF THE SALVATION OFFERED BY CHRIST.
- The city of God and the Kingdom of God were seen in the Psalms as “David’s Kingdom” or “Solomon’s Kingdom.” But Christ reveals that it is His Kingdom “not of this world.” So now we call the Church, the “heavenly Jerusalem.”
- Further, the New Testament Reveals how the primary “battle” is always spiritual, and the armies of God are the angels and saints.
- The soldiers of the “Church Militant” have become invincible as they carry out God’s work, conquering the “gates of hell” as Jesus said about his Church. A spiritual victory is still accomplished even in apparent failures.
Psalm 64
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.
1 Hear my voice, God, in my complaint.
Preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
2 Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked,
from the noisy crowd of the ones doing evil;
3 who sharpen their tongue like a sword,
and aim their arrows, deadly words,
4 to shoot innocent men from ambushes.
They shoot at him suddenly and fearlessly.
5 They encourage themselves in evil plans.
They talk about laying snares secretly.
They say, “Who will see them?”
6 They plot injustice, saying, “We have made a perfect plan!”
Surely man’s mind and heart are cunning.
7 But God will shoot at them.
They will be suddenly struck down with an arrow.
8 Their own tongues shall ruin them.
All who see them will shake their heads.
9 All mankind shall be afraid.
They shall declare the work of God,
and shall wisely ponder what he has done.
10 The righteous shall be glad in Yahweh,
and shall take refuge in him.
All the upright in heart shall praise him!
Psalm 66
For the Chief Musician. A song. A Psalm.
1 Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!
2 Sing to the glory of his name!
Offer glory and praise!
3 Tell God, “How awesome are your deeds!
Through the greatness of your power, your enemies submit themselves to you.
4 All the earth will worship you,
and will sing to you;
they will sing to your name.” Selah.
5 Come, and see God’s deeds—
awesome work on behalf of the children of men.
6 He turned the sea into dry land.
They went through the river on foot.
There, we rejoiced in him.
7 He rules by his might forever.
His eyes watch the nations.
Don’t let the rebellious rise up against him. Selah.
8 Praise our God, you peoples!
Make the sound of his praise heard,
9 who preserves our life among the living,
and doesn’t allow our feet to be moved.
10 For you, God, have tested us.
You have refined us, as silver is refined.
11 You brought us into prison.
You laid a burden on our backs.
12 You allowed men to ride over our heads.
We went through fire and through water,
but you brought us to the place of abundance.
13 I will come into your temple with burnt offerings.
I will pay my vows to you, 14 which my lips promised,
and my mouth spoke, when I was in distress.
15 I will offer to you burnt offerings of fat animals,
with the offering of rams,
I will offer bulls with goats. Selah.
16 Come and hear, all you who fear God.
I will declare what he has done for my soul.
17 I cried to him with my mouth.
He was extolled with my tongue.
18 If I cherished sin in my heart,
the Lord wouldn’t have listened.
19 But most certainly, God has listened.
He has heard the voice of my prayer.
20 Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer,
nor his loving kindness from me.
Psalm 70
For the Chief Musician. By David. A reminder.
1 Hurry, God, to deliver me.
Come quickly to help me, Yahweh.
2 Let them be disappointed and confounded who seek my soul.
Let those who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.
3 Let them be turned because of their shame
who say, “Aha! Aha!”
4 Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you.
Let those who love your salvation continually say,
“Let God be exalted!”
5 But I am poor and needy.
Come to me quickly, God.
You are my help and my deliverer.
Yahweh, don’t delay.
REPEAT THEME: READING THE PSALMS WITH THE FULL KNOWLEDGE OF THE SALVATION OFFERED BY CHRIST.
- The Jews walking in pilgrimage to the Temple becomes us walking the spiritual pilgrimage of the life to enter the true sanctuary with Christ.
- The Defense of the Israelite people, or the city of Jerusalem becomes the defense of the Church/believers from the attacks of the devil.
- Prayers for the Kings victory become prayers for God the Father to hasten the Second Coming of Christ.
Psalm 72
By Solomon.
1 God, give the king your justice;
your righteousness to the royal son.
2 He will judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice.
3 The mountains shall bring prosperity to the people.
The hills bring the fruit of righteousness.
4 He will judge the poor of the people.
He will save the children of the needy,
and will break the oppressor in pieces.
5 They shall fear you while the sun endures;
and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
6 He will come down like rain on the mown grass,
as showers that water the earth.
7 In his days, the righteous shall flourish,
and abundance of peace, until the moon is no more.
8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea,
from the River to the ends of the earth.
9 Those who dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him.
His enemies shall lick the dust.
10 The kings of Tarshish and of the islands
will bring tribute.
The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
11 Yes, all kings shall fall down before him.
All nations shall serve him.
12 For he will deliver the needy when he cries;
the poor, who has no helper.
13 He will have pity on the poor and needy.
He will save the souls of the needy.
14 He will redeem their soul from oppression
and violence.
Their blood will be precious in his sight.
15 He will live; and Sheba’s gold will be given to him.
Men will pray for him continually.
They will bless him all day long.
16 Abundance of grain shall be throughout the land.
Its fruit sways like Lebanon.
Let it flourish, thriving like the grass of the field.
17 His name endures forever.
His name continues as long as the sun.
Men shall be blessed by him.
All nations will call him blessed.
18 Praise be to Yahweh God, the God of Israel,
who alone does marvelous deeds.
19 Blessed be his glorious name forever!
Let the whole earth be filled with his glory!
Amen and amen.
20 This ends the prayers by David, the son of Jesse.
Psalm 78 – Wisdom, History, and Praise
A contemplation by Asaph.
1 Hear my teaching, my people.
Turn your ears to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable.
I will utter dark sayings of old,
3 which we have heard and known,
and our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children,
telling to the generation to come the praises of Yahweh,
his strength, and his wondrous deeds that he has done.
5 For he established a covenant in Jacob,
and appointed a teaching in Israel,
which he commanded our fathers,
that they should make them known to their children;
6 that the generation to come might know, even the children who should be born;
who should arise and tell their children,
7 that they might set their hope in God,
and not forget God’s deeds,
but keep his commandments,
8 and might not be as their fathers—
a stubborn and rebellious generation,
a generation that didn’t make their hearts loyal,
whose spirit was not steadfast with God.
9 The children of Ephraim, being armed and carrying bows
turned back in the day of battle.
10 They didn’t keep God’s covenant,
and refused to walk in his law.
11 They forgot his doings,
his wondrous deeds that he had shown them.
12 He did marvelous things in the sight of their fathers,
in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
13 He split the sea, and caused them to pass through.
He made the waters stand as a heap.
14 In the daytime he also led them with a cloud,
and all night with a light of fire.
15 He split rocks in the wilderness,
and gave them drink abundantly as out of the depths.
16 He brought streams also out of the rock,
and caused waters to run down like rivers.
17 Yet they still went on to sin against him,
to rebel against the Most High in the desert.
18 They tempted God in their heart
by asking food according to their desire.
19 Yes, they spoke against God.
They said, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?
20 Behold, he struck the rock, so that waters gushed out,
and streams overflowed.
Can he give bread also?
Will he provide meat for his people?”
21 Therefore Yahweh heard, and was angry.
A fire was kindled against Jacob,
anger also went up against Israel,
22 because they didn’t believe in God,
and didn’t trust in his salvation.
23 Yet he commanded the skies above,
and opened the doors of heaven.
24 He rained down manna on them to eat,
and gave them food from the sky.
25 Man ate the bread of angels.
He sent them food to the full.
26 He caused the east wind to blow in the sky.
By his power he guided the south wind.
27 He also rained meat on them as the dust,
winged birds as the sand of the seas.
28 He let them fall in the middle of their camp,
around their habitations.
29 So they ate, and were well filled.
He gave them their own desire.
30 They didn’t turn from their cravings.
Their food was yet in their mouths,
31 when the anger of God went up against them,
killed some of their strongest,
and struck down the young men of Israel.
32 For all this they still sinned,
and didn’t believe in his wondrous works.
33 Therefore he consumed their days in vanity,
and their years in terror.
34 When he killed them, then they inquired after him.
They returned and sought God earnestly.
35 They remembered that God was their rock,
the Most High God, their redeemer.
36 But they flattered him with their mouth,
and lied to him with their tongue.
37 For their heart was not right with him,
neither were they faithful in his covenant.
38 But he, being merciful, forgave iniquity, and didn’t destroy them.
Yes, many times he turned his anger away,
and didn’t stir up all his wrath.
39 He remembered that they were but flesh,
a wind that passes away, and doesn’t come again.
40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness,
and grieved him in the desert!
41 They turned again and tempted God,
and provoked the Holy One of Israel.
42 They didn’t remember his hand,
nor the day when he redeemed them from the adversary;
43 how he set his signs in Egypt,
his wonders in the field of Zoan,
44 he turned their rivers into blood,
and their streams, so that they could not drink.
45 He sent among them swarms of flies,
which devoured them;
and frogs, which destroyed them.
46 He also gave their increase to the caterpillar,
and their labor to the locust.
47 He destroyed their vines with hail,
their sycamore fig trees with frost.
48 He also gave over their livestock to the hail,
and their flocks to hot thunderbolts.
49 He threw on them the fierceness of his anger,
wrath, indignation, and trouble,
and a band of angels of evil.
50 He made a path for his anger.
He didn’t spare their soul from death,
but gave their life over to the pestilence,
51 and struck all the firstborn in Egypt,
the chief of their strength in the tents of Ham.
52 But he led out his own people like sheep,
and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
53 He led them safely, so that they weren’t afraid,
but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
54 He brought them to the border of his sanctuary,
to this mountain, which his right hand had taken.
55 He also drove out the nations before them,
allotted them for an inheritance by line,
and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.
56 Yet they tempted and rebelled against
the Most High God,
and didn’t keep his testimonies,
57 but turned back, and dealt treacherously like their fathers.
They were twisted like a deceitful bow.
58 For they provoked him to anger with their high places,
and moved him to jealousy with their engraved images.
59 When God heard this, he was angry,
and greatly abhorred Israel,
60 so that he abandoned the tent of Shiloh,
the tent which he placed among men,
61 and delivered his strength into captivity,
his glory into the adversary’s hand.
62 He also gave his people over to the sword,
and was angry with his inheritance.
63 Fire devoured their young men.
Their virgins had no wedding song.
64 Their priests fell by the sword,
and their widows couldn’t weep.
65 Then the Lord awakened as one out of sleep,
like a mighty man who shouts by reason of wine.
66 He struck his adversaries backward.
He put them to a perpetual reproach.
67 Moreover he rejected the tent of Joseph,
and didn’t choose the tribe of Ephraim,
68 But chose the tribe of Judah,
Mount Zion which he loved.
69 He built his sanctuary like the heights,
like the earth which he has established forever.
70 He also chose David his servant,
and took him from the sheepfolds;
71 from following the ewes that have their young,
he brought him to be the shepherd of Jacob, his people,
and Israel, his inheritance.
72 So he was their shepherd according to the integrity
of his heart,
and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.
Psalm 84 – A song of longing, and of praise.
For the Chief Musician. On an instrument of Gath. A Psalm by the sons of Korah.
1 How lovely are your dwellings,
Yahweh of Armies!
2 My soul longs, and even faints for the courts of Yahweh.
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
3 Yes, the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young,
near your altars, Yahweh of Armies, my King, and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house.
They are always praising you. Selah.
5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
who have set their hearts on a pilgrimage.
6 Passing through the valley of Weeping, they make it a place of springs.
Yes, the autumn rain covers it with blessings.
7 They go from strength to strength.
Every one of them appears before God in Zion.
8 Yahweh, God of Armies, hear my prayer.
Listen, God of Jacob. Selah.
9 Behold, God our shield,
look at the face of your anointed.
10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God,
than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For Yahweh God is a sun and a shield.
Yahweh will give grace and glory.
He withholds no good thing from those who walk blamelessly.
12 Yahweh of Armies,
blessed is the man who trusts in you.
Psalm 87
A Psalm by the sons of Korah; a Song.
1 His foundation is in the holy mountains.
2 Yahweh loves the gates of Zion more than
all the dwellings of Jacob.
3 Glorious things are spoken about you, city of God.
Selah.
4 I will record Rahab† and Babylon among those who acknowledge me.
Behold, Philistia, Tyre, and also Ethiopia:
“This one was born there.”
5 Yes, of Zion it will be said, “This one and that one was born in her;”
the Most High himself will establish her.
6 Yahweh will count, when he writes up the peoples,
“This one was born there.”
Selah.
7 Those who sing as well as those who dance say,
“All my springs are in you.”
Psalm 93
1 Yahweh reigns!
He is clothed with majesty!
Yahweh is armed with strength.
The world also is established.
It can’t be moved.
2 Your throne is established from long ago.
You are from everlasting.
3 The floods have lifted up, Yahweh,
the floods have lifted up their voice.
The floods lift up their waves.
4 Above the voices of many waters,
the mighty breakers of the sea,
Yahweh on high is mighty.
5 Your statutes stand firm.
Holiness adorns your house,
Yahweh, forever more.
Theme: Exultation! – The Psalms not only express praise, but even exuberant and uproarious praise! Ps 98-100 is such a grouping. A similar grouping is in the final Psalms 148-150. “Make a joyful noise” becomes as much noise and as loud as you can make God’s praise resound. The expanse of the praise cannot be here or there, but throughout the whole universe!
Psalm 98
A Psalm.
1 Sing to Yahweh a new song,
for he has done marvelous things!
His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
2 Yahweh has made known his salvation.
He has openly shown his righteousness
in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered his loving kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation
of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise to Yahweh, all the earth!
Burst out and sing for joy, yes, sing praises!
5 Sing praises to Yahweh with the harp,
with the harp and the voice of melody.
6 With trumpets and sound of the ram’s horn,
make a joyful noise before the King, Yahweh.
7 Let the sea roar with its fullness;
the world, and those who dwell therein.
8 Let the rivers clap their hands.
Let the mountains sing for joy together.
9 Let them sing before Yahweh,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with equity.
Psalm 99 – The triple “holiness” of God, puts Him beyond all other things, most holy and exalted.
1 Yahweh reigns! Let the peoples tremble.
He sits enthroned among the cherubim.
Let the earth be moved.
2 Yahweh is great in Zion.
He is high above all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name.
He is Holy!
4 The King’s strength also loves justice.
You establish equity.
You execute justice and righteousness in Jacob.
5 Exalt Yahweh our God.
Worship at his footstool.
He is Holy!
6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
Samuel was among those who call on his name.
They called on Yahweh, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud.
They kept his testimonies,
the statute that he gave them.
8 You answered them, Yahweh our God.
You are a God who forgave them,
although you took vengeance for their doings.
9 Exalt Yahweh, our God.
Worship at his holy hill,
for Yahweh, our God, is holy!
Psalm 100 – A Psalm of thanksgiving.
1 Shout for joy to Yahweh, all you lands!
2 Serve Yahweh with gladness.
Come before his presence with singing.
3 Know that Yahweh, he is God.
It is he who has made us, and we are his.
We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him, and bless his name.
5 For Yahweh is good.
His loving kindness endures forever,
his faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 105 (parts) – Just a taste of the historical accounts, giving glory to God as the one who did such mighty deeds.
1 Give thanks to Yahweh! Call on his name!
Make his doings known among the peoples.
…
5 Remember his marvelous works that he has done:
his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth,
6 you offspring of Abraham, his servant,
you children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
…
9 the covenant which he made with Abraham,
his oath to Isaac,
…
17 He sent a man before them.
Joseph was sold for a slave.
…
20 The king sent and freed him,
even the ruler of peoples, and let him go free.
21 He made him lord of his house,
and ruler of all of his possessions,
…
26 He sent Moses, his servant,
and Aaron, whom he had chosen.
27 They performed miracles among them,
and wonders in the land of Ham.
…
34 He spoke, and the locusts came
with the grasshoppers, without number.
35 They ate up every plant in their land,
and ate up the fruit of their ground.
36 He struck also all the firstborn in their land,
the first fruits of all their manhood.
…
41 He opened the rock, and waters gushed out.
They ran as a river in the dry places.
…
44 He gave them the lands of the nations.
They took the labor of the peoples in possession,
45 that they might keep his statutes,
and observe his laws.
Praise Yah!
Minor Theme: The Imprecations
e.g. Psalm 109 – The words of Christ as Final Judge, or a prayer against the “sinful man” in me, the man the devil wishes me to be!
Here we come to a genre of Psalms that is not meant to be prayed in a “normal” of straightforward way. The imprecatory Psalms may be read as a historical remembrance “conditionally” expressing God’s justice, yet not closing off the possibility of salvation for all living men and women – or read spiritually against one’s “old/sinful self” – or read spiritually against the devil.
Probably you are better off not trying to pray them at all!
Ps 109:7-14 (partial selections – one of the harshest sections!)
| Historically, but conditionally understood | A spiritual reading against “one’s old/sinful self” | Against the devil and his minions (his children) |
| 7 When he is judged, let him come out guilty. Let his prayer be turned into sin [unless he truly repent, abandoning his false prayers, and truly convert] 8 Let his days be few. Let another take his office 9 Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow 10 Let his children be wandering beggars Let them be sought from their ruins [unless he truly repent and convert] 11 Let the creditor seize all that he has. Let strangers plunder the fruit of his labor. 12 Let there be no one to extend kindness to him, neither let there be anyone to have pity on his fatherless children [unless he truly repent and convert] 13 Let his posterity be cut off. In the generation fol-lowing let their name be blotted out 14 Let the iniquity of his fathers be remem-bered by Yahweh. Don’t let the sin of his mother be blotted out [unless he truly repent and convert] | 7 When [the old man in me] is judged, let him come out guilty. Let his prayer be turned into sin [by God’s revelation of my mortal sins]. 8 Let [the] days [of my sinful self] be few [never again to come] Let another take his office [may a new man take the role God planned, myself recreated in Christ]. 9 Let his children [the offspring of my past sinful actions] be fatherless, and his wife [the Kingdom of Satan to which I was married] a widow. 10 Let his children [the fruits of evil] be wandering beggars. Let them be sought from their ruins [if God can turn them to good by His infinite power]. 11 Let the creditor seize all that he has [May God reclaim my whole body and soul as He made them]. Let strangers plunder the fruit of his labor [let the devil have the consequences of my old life]. 12 Let there be no one to extend kindness to [the old me: an enemy of God], neither let there be anyone to have pity on his fatherless children [by praising my barren works done without grace]. 13 Let the posterity [of the old man in me] be cut off [that sin may have no lineage through me]. In the generation following let their name be blotted out [that no one shall speak of my sins]. 14 Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered by Yahweh [alone, knowing the depths of his saving plans]. Don’t let the sin of his mother be blotted out [but may destruction fall upon the kingdom of Satan]. | 7 When he [Satan] is judged, let him come out guilty. Let his prayer be turned into sin [for his pleadings are only trickery] 8 Let his days be few. Let another take his office 9 Let his children be fatherless [that the demons have no disciples], and his wife [his realm on earth] a widow 10 Let his children be wandering beggars [powerless demons] Let them be sought from their ruins [may the be confined to hell] 11 Let the creditor seize all that he has [the Holy Spirit claiming his ill-gotten goods]. Let strangers plunder the fruit of his labor [Jesus robbing the underworld of souls]. 12 Let there be no one to extend kindness to him, neither let there be anyone to have pity on his fatherless children [each demon to their solitary punishment] 13 Let his posterity be cut off [with no legacy on earth]. In the generation following let their name be blotted out 14 Let the iniquity of his fathers [the capital sins of Satan’s first rebellion] be remembered by Yahweh. Don’t let the sin of his mother [pride] be blotted out. |
Psalms 58 and 83 are also imprecatory Psalms, similar to 109.
Various other “lament” Psalms include prayers that God send quick and powerful judgment upon the wicked persecutors of the righteous (mainly: #5, 21, 28, 31, 35, 55, 59, 63, 69, 79, 110, 137, 139, and 140). These portions of laments can also be interpreted along similar lines.
If you do not feel you have many enemies upon which to pray God’s swift punishment, you may skip these Psalms. On the other hand, if you feel plagued by any metaphorical “demons” in life, know that these passages express an appeal to God’s saving intervention to destroy the demons and the vices in our lives. Yet for this, the Penitential Psalms are readily available.
NOTE: The Liturgy of the Hours omits all the harshest of these sections, making it an easier way to sort out these sections of the lament Psalms.
The Final Word on Judgmental passages:
All final and definitive punishments, which will fall upon the sinner if he does not repent in the end, are left in the hand of God. We are not the final judges (even if it seems like some Psalms, like 109, allow us to be the final judge). “Separating the sheep and the goats” at the final judgment… that is Christ’s job, not ours! Some Psalms are powerful reminders that these realities exist (the condemnation of the unrepentant wicked, “the lake of fire prepared for the devil”). Yet the Psalms are only fulfilled in Christ, and so they do not give us permission to be the final judge of anyone.
Psalm 110 – the Priestly Messiah in the line of Melchizedek – a prophecy according to Jesus’ words
1 A Psalm by David.
Yahweh says to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool for your feet.”
2Yahweh will send out the rod of your strength out of Zion.
Rule among your enemies.
3 Your people offer themselves willingly in the day of your power, in holy array.
Out of the womb of the morning,
you have the dew of your youth.
4 Yahweh has sworn, and will not change his mind:
“You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
5 The Lord is at your right hand.
He will crush kings in the day of his wrath.
6 He will judge among the nations.
He will heap up dead bodies.
He will crush the ruler of the whole earth.
7 He will drink of the brook on the way;
therefore he will lift up his head.
Psalm 113 – A Psalm of Praise, prefiguring the Magnificat of Mary
1 Praise Yah!
Praise, you servants of Yahweh,
praise Yahweh’s name.
2 Blessed be Yahweh’s name,
from this time forward and forever more.
3 From the rising of the sun to its going down,
Yahweh’s name is to be praised.
4 Yahweh is high above all nations,
his glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like Yahweh, our God,
who has his seat on high,
6 who stoops down to see in heaven and in the earth?
7 He raises up the poor out of the dust,
and lifts up the needy from the ash heap,
8 that he may set him with princes,
even with the princes of his people.
9 He settles the barren woman in her home
as a joyful mother of children.
Praise Yah!
Psalm 118 – A MOST significant Psalm quoted by Jesus and various Apostles.
1 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good,
for his loving kindness endures forever.
2 Let Israel now say
that his loving kindness endures forever.
3 Let the house of Aaron now say
that his loving kindness endures forever.
4 Now let those who fear Yahweh say
that his loving kindness endures forever.
5 Out of my distress, I called on Yah.
Yah answered me with freedom.
6 Yahweh is on my side. I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
7 Yahweh is on my side among those who help me.
Therefore I will look in triumph at those who hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in Yahweh,
than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to take refuge in Yahweh,
than to put confidence in princes.
10 All the nations surrounded me,
but in Yahweh’s name I cut them off.
11 They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me.
In Yahweh’s name I indeed cut them off.
12 They surrounded me like bees.
They are quenched like the burning thorns.
In Yahweh’s name I cut them off.
13 You pushed me back hard, to make me fall,
but Yahweh helped me.
14 Yah is my strength and song.
He has become my salvation.
15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents
of the righteous.
“The right hand of Yahweh does valiantly.
16 The right hand of Yahweh is exalted!
The right hand of Yahweh does valiantly!”
17 I will not die, but live,
and declare Yah’s works.
18 Yah has punished me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness.
I will enter into them.
I will give thanks to Yah.
20 This is the gate of Yahweh;
the righteous will enter into it.
21 I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me,
and have become my salvation.
22 The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.†
23 This is Yahweh’s doing.
It is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that Yahweh has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it!
25 Save us now, we beg you, Yahweh!
Yahweh, we beg you, send prosperity now.
26 Blessed is he who comes in Yahweh’s name!
We have blessed you out of Yahweh’s house.
27 Yahweh is God, and he has given us light.
Bind the sacrifice with cords, even to the horns
of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you.
You are my God, I will exalt you.
29 Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good,
for his loving kindness endures forever.
Psalm 119 – the GIGANTIC Psalm (just one section)
1 ALEPH, Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to Yahweh’s law.
2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes,
who seek him with their whole heart.
3 Yes, they do nothing wrong.
They walk in his ways.
4 You have commanded your precepts,
that we should fully obey them.
5 Oh that my ways were steadfast
to obey your statutes!
6 Then I wouldn’t be disappointed,
when I consider all of your commandments.
7 I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart,
when I learn your righteous judgments.
8 I will observe your statutes.
Don’t utterly forsake me…
- PLUS more than 160 more verses!!!
Psalm 122 -recall the Church and the heavenly Jerusalem and this becomes a prayer for the strength and flourishing of the Church on earth.
1 A Song of Ascents. By David.
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let’s go to Yahweh’s house!”
2 Our feet are standing within your gates, Jerusalem!
3 Jerusalem is built as a city that is compact together,
4 where the tribes go up, even Yah’s tribes,
according to an ordinance for Israel,
to give thanks to Yahweh’s name.
5 For there are set thrones for judgment,
the thrones of David’s house.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Those who love you will prosper.
7 Peace be within your walls,
and prosperity within your palaces.
8 For my brothers’ and companions’ sakes,
I will now say, “Peace be within you.”
9 For the sake of the house of Yahweh our God,
I will seek your good.
Psalm 128
A Song of Ascents.
1 Blessed is everyone who fears Yahweh,
who walks in his ways.
2 For you will eat the labor of your hands.
You will be happy, and it will be well with you.
3 Your wife will be as a fruitful vine
in the innermost parts of your house,
your children like olive shoots around your table.
4 Behold, this is how the man who fears Yahweh
is blessed.
5 May Yahweh bless you out of Zion,
and may you see the good of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
6 Yes, may you see your children’s children.
Peace be upon Israel.
Psalm 134
A Song of Ascents.
1 Look! Praise Yahweh, all you servants of Yahweh,
who stand by night in Yahweh’s house!
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary.
Praise Yahweh!
3 May Yahweh bless you from Zion,
even he who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 139 – The meditation of trust and the lament
1 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.
Yahweh, you have searched me,
and you know me.
2 You know my sitting down and my rising up.
You perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down,
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word on my tongue,
but behold, Yahweh, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in behind and before.
You laid your hand on me.
6 This knowledge is beyond me.
It’s lofty. I can’t attain it.
7 Where could I go from your Spirit?
Or where could I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, you are there.
If I make my bed in Sheol,† behold, you are there!
9 If I take the wings of the dawn,
and settle in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there your hand will lead me,
and your right hand will hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me.
The light around me will be night,”
12 even the darkness doesn’t hide from you,
but the night shines as the day.
The darkness is like light to you.
13 For you formed my inmost being.
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I will give thanks to you,
for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Your works are wonderful.
My soul knows that very well.
15 My frame wasn’t hidden from you,
when I was made in secret,
woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my body.
In your book they were all written,
the days that were ordained for me,
when as yet there were none of them.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is their sum!
18 If I would count them, they are more in number
than the sand.
When I wake up, I am still with you.
19 If only you, God, would kill the wicked.
Get away from me, you bloodthirsty men!
20 For they speak against you wickedly.
Your enemies take your name in vain.
21 Yahweh, don’t I hate those who hate you?
Am I not grieved with those who rise up against you?
22 I hate them with perfect hatred.
They have become my enemies.
23 Search me, God, and know my heart.
Try me, and know my thoughts.
24 See if there is any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the everlasting way.
Repeat Theme: Exultation! – The concluding Psalms return to the exuberant and uproarious praise seen before. Although Psalm 149 includes one last reference to “a judgment upon the evil/unrepentant nations,” the grand theme of God’s joyful and glorious reign is overwhelming at the conclusion of the Book. Again, the expanse of the praise cannot be here or there, but throughout the whole universe. And no act of extravagance can even come close to the glory that is due to God.
Psalm 148
1 Praise Yah!
Praise Yahweh from the heavens!
Praise him in the heights!
2 Praise him, all his angels!
Praise him, all his army!
3 Praise him, sun and moon!
Praise him, all you shining stars!
4 Praise him, you heavens of heavens,
you waters that are above the heavens.
5 Let them praise Yahweh’s name,
for he commanded, and they were created.
6 He has also established them forever and ever.
He has made a decree which will not pass away.
7 Praise Yahweh from the earth,
you great sea creatures, and all depths,
8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
stormy wind, fulfilling his word,
9 mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,
10 wild animals and all livestock,
small creatures and flying birds,
11 kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all judges of the earth,
12 both young men and maidens,
old men and children.
13 Let them praise Yahweh’s name,
for his name alone is exalted.
His glory is above the earth and the heavens.
14 He has lifted up the horn of his people,
the praise of all his saints,
even of the children of Israel, a people near to him.
Praise Yah!
Psalm 149
1 Praise Yahweh!
Sing to Yahweh a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the saints.
2 Let Israel rejoice in him who made them.
Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3 Let them praise his name in the dance!
Let them sing praises to him with tambourine and harp!
4 For Yahweh takes pleasure in his people.
He crowns the humble with salvation.
5 Let the saints rejoice in honor.
Let them sing for joy on their beds.
6 May the high praises of God be in their mouths,
and a two-edged sword in their hand,
7 to execute vengeance on the nations,
and punishments on the peoples;
8 to bind their kings with chains,
and their nobles with fetters of iron;
9 to execute on them the written judgment.
All his saints have this honor.
Praise Yah!
Psalm 150 – The Final Psalm
1 Praise Yah!
Praise God in his sanctuary!
Praise him in his heavens for his acts of power!
2 Praise him for his mighty acts!
Praise him according to his excellent greatness!
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet!
Praise him with harp and lyre!
4 Praise him with tambourine and dancing!
Praise him with stringed instruments and flute!
5 Praise him with loud cymbals!
Praise him with resounding cymbals!
6 Let everything that has breath praise Yah!
Praise Yah!
Ubi Petrus VT 