Psalm 2 God’s Promise to His Anointed 1 Why do the nations conspire,     and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves,     and the rulers take counsel together,     against the Lord and his anointed, saying, 3 “Let us burst their bonds asunder,     and cast their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs;     the Lord has them in derision. 5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath,     and terrify them in his fury, saying, 6 “I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill.” 7 I will tell [...]

Psalm 142 I cry aloud to the Lord;     I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. 2 I pour out before him my complaint;     before him I tell my trouble. 3 When my spirit grows faint within me,     it is you who watch over my way. In the path where I walk     people have hidden a snare for me. 4 Look and see, there is no one at my right hand;     no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge;     no one cares for my life. 5 I cry to you, Lord;     I say, “You are [...]

Psalm 145:1-9 Praise. Of David. 1 I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name for ever and ever. 2 Every day I will bless you, and praise your name for ever and ever. 3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable. 4 One generation shall laud your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. 5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. 6 The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed, and I will declare your greatness. 7 [...]

Psalm 56: 1Be gracious to me, O God, for people trample on me; all day long foes oppress me; 2 my enemies trample on me all day long, for many fight against me. O Most High, 3 when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I am not afraid; what can flesh do to me? 5 All day long they seek to injure my cause; all their thoughts are against me for evil. 6 They stir up strife, they lurk, they watch my steps. As they [...]

Psalm 20 The King trusts in the Lord 1 The Lord answer you in the day of trouble! The name of the God of Jacob protect you! 2 May he send you help from the sanctuary, and give you support from Zion. 3 May he remember all your offerings, and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices. Selah 4 May he grant you your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your plans. 5 May we shout for joy over your victory, and in the name of our God set up our banners. May the Lord fulfill all your petitions. 6 Now [...]

Psalm 16, NRSV 1 Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge. 2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;     I have no good apart from you.” 3 As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble,     in whom is all my delight. 4 Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;     their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out     or take their names upon my lips. 5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;     you hold my lot. 6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in [...]

Psalm 133 1 How very good and pleasant it is     when kindred live together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil on the head,     running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron,     running down over the collar of his robes. 3 It is like the dew of Hermon,     which falls on the mountains of Zion. For there the Lord ordained his blessing,     life forevermore. Reflection: This psalm reflects an obvious concern in ancient Israel, the importance of family values. The family is a crucial institution for every culture. It affects everyone, for better or for [...]

Psalm 100 A Psalm of Thanksgiving 1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing. 3 Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name. 5 For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures for ever, and his faithfulness to all generations. Reflection: Psalm 100 is the biblical standard [...]