The Medieval Nun
| Condensed, Prayable Psalms |
| The Medieval Nun Keri Peardon, proprietress 3619 Rocky Glade Road Eagleville, TN 37060 Website: www.TheMedieval Nun.com Etsy Store: www.TheMedievalNun.etsy.com E-mail: Keri@TheMedievalNun.com |
In the middle ages, there were bandolier-style paternosters containing 150 beads to represent the 150 psalms
(there were also shorter strands of beads which contained a division of 150—such as 50 beads—which would
be prayed multiple times until the total prayers reached 150). The literate would read one psalm per bead; this
was considered a high level of devotion. For those who could not read the psalms, it was considered almost as
good to say the Lord’s Prayer 150 times instead.
Have you actually ever read all of the psalms all the way through? They’re dragging by psalm number six. They
make a lot of sense from a historical standpoint, because many were written by David while he was in and out of
Saul’s court and constantly falling on hard times. But there’s only so many times you can read his pleas for the
Lord to smite his enemies before you start to doze. Not to mention, we’re a very busy society. Even the
wealthy among us do not have time to sit and read psalms all day. Of course, in the middle ages, there weren’t
things like “Desperate Housewives” to distract and entertain. Reading the psalms in full back then wasn’t so bad
because, let’s face it, it’s not like you had anything more interesting to do.
Enter “The Condensed, Prayable Psalms,” put together by yours truly, with the help of a King James Bible (after
all, this is a medieval-themed operation; can’t have psalms that sound too modern). I have gone through all of
the psalms and picked out the bits which seem most interesting to me—in most cases, just a couple of sentences
that seem poetic or prophetic or uplifting. These are psalms that a normal person should be able to pray in 15-30
minutes—which can be accomplished during daily prayer or meditation time—or they can be broken up so that
you pray all of them over the course of one week.
While I have used the King James version of the Bible because I actually like the fact that it sounds a bit archaic,
I have taken the liberty of modernizing the punctuation so that it reads more fluently. After all, “psalm” means
“poem” or “song;” it needs to flow. I’ve also done away with the verse notations, since they interrupt the flow
of sentences (and were never original to the Bible anyways), and in few cases I did a bit of re-arranging, since
some lines at the end of the psalm sounded better in front of lines further up.
The psalms can be divided into four different types of psalms:
Prayers of thanksgiving
Prayers for help
Moral lessons
Warnings
The two types of prayers are understandable enough, and easy to pray on a paternoster. The other two types
are more meditative. You are not communing directly with God, but rather you are dwelling on the lesson or
warning He has sent you. Psalm number twelve has just such a warning: “The wicked walk on every side when
the vilest men are exalted.” I can’t help but think of Hitler when I read this, and how millions of people turned to
evil because he was elevated to a position of power. This is the warning that you should meditate on, and think
how you will stay righteous in such a situation, and how you will counter evil.
I hope you will find that these condensed psalms are manageable to read and meditate over in your busy, modern
life, and yet, despite their brevity, they still have a message that speaks to you. I have tried to keep each one
different (difficult, seeing how often they repeat certain passages, or even themselves in their entirety), and have
tried to pick passages which will appeal to a wide variety of life stages: there are psalms appropriate for parents,
for hard times, for when you are beaten down by mean people, for illness, for dying, as well as psalms for
happy times.
If you wish to print this text for your use at home, please be aware that it is 25 pages long (24, if you do not
print this introduction). To print this easily, and with as little extraneous text as possible, simply highlight part or
all of the psalms, and right click the mouse and tell it to print. When your printer dialog box comes up, be sure
that it is selected to "print only selected text."
The Condensed, Prayable Psalms
One
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth
in the seat of the scornful. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit
in his season; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not
stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the
righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Two
I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, “Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of
Me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy
possession.”
Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.
Three
Thou, O Lord, art a shield for me, my glory and the lifter up of mine head. I will not be afraid of ten thousands
of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
Salvation belongeth unto the Lord; Thy blessing upon Thy people.
Four
Stand in awe, and sin not; commune with your own heart upon your bed and be still.
I will both lay me down in peace and sleep, for Thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
Five
Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God, for unto Thee will I pray. My voice shalt Thou hear
in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up.
Six
Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are vexed. My soul is also sore
vexed. Return, O Lord, deliver my soul; oh save me for Thy mercies’ sake.
Seven
O Lord, my God, in Thee do I put my trust; save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me.
Eight
When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained,
what is man, that Thou art mindful of him, and the son of man, that Thou visitest him? For Thou hast made him
a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor.
Nine
Let the heathen be judged in Thy sight. Put them in fear, O Lord, that the nations may know themselves to be
but men.
Ten
Why standest Thou afar off, O Lord? Why hidest Thou Thyself in times of trouble? Arise, O Lord; O God, lift
up Thy hand, forget not the humble. Judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no
more oppress.
Eleven
In the Lord I put my trust. For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness.
Twelve
The wicked walk on every side when the vilest men are exalted.
Thirteen
I have trusted in Thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath
dealt bountifully with me.
Fourteen
The fool hath said in his heart, “There is no God; there is none that doeth good.” The Lord looked down from
heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand and seek God. They are all gone
aside, they are all together become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no not one.
Fifteen
Lord, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in Thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and
worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
Sixteen
Preserve me, O God, for in Thee do I put my trust. Thou wilt shew me the path of life; in Thy presence is
fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Seventeen
Thou hast proved mine heart; Thou hast visited me in the night; Thou hast tired me, and shalt find nothing; I am
purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
I will behold Thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.
Eighteen
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength in whom I trust. For Thou wilt
light my candle; the Lord, my God, will enlighten my darkness.
Nineteen
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth His handiwork.
Twenty
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They are
brought down and fallen, but we are risen and stand upright.
Twenty-One
He asked life of Thee, and Thou gavest it him. His glory is great in Thy salvation; honor and majesty hast Thou
laid upon him. For Thou hast made him most blessed forever.
Twenty-Two
My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me? Why art Thou so far from helping me? O my God, I cry in
the daytime, but Thou hearest not; and in the night season, I am not silent.
Be not Thou far from me, O Lord; O my strength, haste Thee to help me. I will declare Thy name unto my
brethren; in the midst of the congregation will I praise Thee.
Twenty-Three
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside
the still waters; He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me. Thy rod
and thy staff they comfort me. You preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest
my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Twenty-Four
The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein. For He hath founded it
upon the seas and established it upon the floods.
This is the generation of them that seek Him, that seek Thy face, O Jacob.
Twenty-Five
Remember not the signs of my youth, nor my transgressions. For Thy name’s sake, O Lord, pardon mine
iniquity, for it is great. Turn Thee unto me, and have mercy upon me, for I am desolate and afflicted. Look
upon mine affliction and my pain and forgive all my sins. O keep my soul and deliver me; let me not be
ashamed, for I put my trust in Thee.
Twenty-Six
Judge me, O Lord, for I have walked in mine integrity. I have trusted also in the Lord, therefore I shall not slide.
Twenty-Seven
The Lord is my light and salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be
afraid? Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should arise against me,
in this will I be confident.
Wait on the Lord. Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord.
Twenty-Eight
Unto Thee will I cry, O Lord, my rock. Be not silent to me, lest if Thou be silent to me, I become like them that
go down into the pit.
Blessed be the Lord, because He hath heard the voice of my supplications.
Twenty-Nine
Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty; give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name. The voice of the Lord is upon
the waters; the God of glory thundereth. The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars; yea the Lord breaketh the
cedars of Lebanon. The voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire. The voice of the Lord shaketh the
wilderness; the Lord shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh. And in his temple doth everyone speak of His glory.
The Lord sitteth upon the flood; yea, the Lord sitteth King forever.
Thirty
O Lord, my God, I cried unto Thee, and Thou hast healed me. O Lord, Thou hast brought up my soul from the
grave; Thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into
dancing; Thou hast put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness.
Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness. O Lord, my God, I
will give thanks unto Thee forever.
Thirty-One
Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.
Thirty-Two
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. I acknowledge my sin unto Thee, and mine
iniquity have I not hid. I said, “I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord,” and Thou forgavest the iniquity
of my sin.
Thirty-Three
By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. He
gathereth the waters of the sea together as a heap; He layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear
the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. For He spoke, and it was done; He
commanded and it stood fast.
The Lord looketh from heaven; He beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of His habitation He looketh
upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashioneth their hearts alike; He considereth their works. There is no
king saved by the multitude of a host; a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope for mercy.
Thirty-Four
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and
pursue it.
The righteous cry and the Lord heareth and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them
that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. The Lord redeemeth the soul of His servants, and none of them that
trust in Him shall be desolate.
Thirty-Five
Lord, who is like unto Thee, which deliverest up the poor from him that is too strong—even the poor and the
needy from him that spoileth them?
Thirty-Six
Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens, and Thy faithfulness reacheth into the clouds. O Lord, thou preservest
man and beast. How excellent is Thy loving kindness, O God! Therefore, the children of men put their trust
under the shadow of Thy wings. For with Thee is the fountain of life; in Thy light shall we see light.
Thirty-Seven
The meek shall inherent the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. A little that a righteous
man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. The wicked borroweth and payeth not again, but the
righteous sheweth mercy and giveth.
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the Lord upholdeth the righteous.
Thirty-Eight
I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. Forsake me not, O Lord. O my God,
be not far from me.
Thirty-Nine
I said, “I will take heed to my ways that I sin not with my tongue; I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the
wicked is before me.”
Forty
I waited patiently for the Lord, and He inclined towards me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of a
horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my foot upon a rock and established my goings.
Many, O Lord, my God, are Thy wonderful works; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than
can be numbered.
Forty-One
Blessed is he that considereth the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.
Forty-Two
My soul thirstest for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God, for I shall yet
praise him for the help of his countenance.
Forty-Three
O send out Thy light and Thy truth; let them lead me; let them bring me unto Thy holy hill, and to Thy
tabernacles. Then will I go unto the alter of God, unto God my exceeding joy; yea, upon the harp will I praise
Thee, O God, my God.
Forty-Four
For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall I trust in my sword to save me. But Thou hast saved us from our
enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.
Forty-Five
Thou lovest righteousness and hatest wickedness; there God, Thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of
gladness above thy fellows.
Forty-Six
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be
removed; and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be
troubled; though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.
“Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the heathen; I will be exalted in the earth.”
Forty-Seven
For God is the King of all the earth; sing ye praises with understanding. Sing praises to God.
Forty-Eight
Walk about Zion, and go round her. Mark ye well her bulwarks, that ye may tell it to the generation following:
for this God is our God, forever and ever; He will be our guide, even unto death.
Forty-Nine
They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches, none of them can, by any
means, redeem his brother, nor give God a ransom for him.
Be thou not afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; for when he dieth, he shall
carry nothing away; his glory shall not descend after him.
Fifty
“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shall glorify Me.”
Fifty-One
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy loving kindness; according unto the multitude of Thy tender
mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For
I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Fifty-Two
Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs, like a sharp razor
working deceitfully. Thou lovest evil more than good, and lying more than to speak righteousness.
God shall likewise destroy thee forever; He shall pluck thee out of thy dwelling place and root thee out of the
land of the living. The righteous shall see and fear, and shall also laugh at this man. “Lo, this is the man that
made not God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and strengthened himself in his
wickedness.”
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
Fifty-Three
Oh, that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people,
Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
Fifty-Four
Behold, God is mine helper. The Lord is with them that uphold my soul.
Fifty-Five
The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet
were they drawn swords.
My heart is sore pained within me, and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. And I said, “Oh, that I had
wings like a dove! For then I would fly away, and be at rest.”
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Fifty-Six
For Thou hast delivered my soul from death; wilt not Thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before
God in the light of the living?
Fifty-Seven
My soul is among lions, and I lie even among them that are set on fire—even the sons of men, whose teeth are
spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. He shall send from heaven and save
me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up.
Fifty-Eight
Verily, there is a reward for the righteous; verily He is a God that judgeth in the earth.
Fifty-Nine
I will sing of Thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of Thy mercy in the morning, for Thou hast been my defense
and refuge in the day of my trouble. Unto Thee, O my strength, will I sing; for God is my defense and the God
of my mercy.
Sixty
O God, Thou hast cast us off; Thou hast scattered us; Thou hast been displeased. O turn Thyself to us again.
Thou hast made the earth to tremble; Thou hast broken it. Heal the breaches thereof, for it shaketh. Thou hast
shewed Thy people hard things; Thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.
Give us help from trouble, for vain is the help of man. Through God we shall do valiantly.
Sixty-One
Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee when my heart is
overwhelmed. For Thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Thy
tabernacle forever. I will trust in the covert of Thy wings.
Sixty-Two
My soul, wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation. He is
my defense. I shall not be moved. Trust in Him at all times, ye people; pour out your heart before Him. God is
a refuge for us.
Sixty-Three
O God, Thou art my God. Early will I seek Thee; my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry
and thirsty land, where no water is.
My soul followeth hard after Thee; Thy right hand upholdeth me.
Sixty-Four
All men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God, for they shall wisely consider of His doing.
Sixty-Five
Thou visitest the earth and waterest it; Thou greatly enrichist it with the river of God, which is full of water.
Thou preparest them corn, when Thou has so provided for it. Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly;
Thou settlest the furrows thereof; Thou makest it soft with showers; Thou blessest the springing thereof. The
pastures are clothed with flocks. The valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy; they also
sing.
Sixty-Six
He ruleth by His power forever. His eyes behold the nations. Let not the rebellious exalt themselves.
Sixty-Seven
God be merciful unto us and bless us; and cause Thy face to shine upon us.
Sixty-Eight
Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord—to Him that rideth upon the heavens of
heavens, which were of old. Lo, He doth send out His voice, and that a mighty voice.
Sixty-Nine
Save me, O God, for the waters are come into my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing; I am
come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying; my throat is dried; mine eyes
fail while I wait for my God.
Deliver me out of the mire and let me not sink. Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow
me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.
O God, thou knowest my foolishness, and my sins are not hid from Thee. Draw nigh unto my soul and redeem
it.
Seventy
I am poor and needy; make haste unto me, O God. Thou art my help and my deliverer; O Lord, make no
tarrying.
Seventy-One
In Thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be put into confusion. Now also, when I am old and grey-
headed, O God, forsake me not, until I have shewed Thy strength unto this generation, and Thy power to
everyone that is to come. Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.
Seventy-Two
Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be His glorious name
forever, and let the whole earth be filled with His glory.
Seventy-Three
I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They are not in trouble as other men,
neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth
them as a garment. They have more than heart could wish. They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning
oppression. Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
When I thought to know this, it was too painful to me, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I
their end. For lo, they that are far from Thee shall perish. But it is good for me to draw near to God.
Seventy-Four
God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth. Thou didst divide the sea by Thy strength.
Thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the water. Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest
him to be meat to the people inhabiting 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.
Thou hast set all the borders of the earth. Thou hast made summer and winter.
Have respect unto the covenant, for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty. O deliver
not the soul of Thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked. Forget not the congregation of Thy poor
forever.
Seventy-Five
Unto Thee, O God, do we give thanks; unto Thee do we give thanks, for that Thy name is near Thy wondrous
works declare.
Seventy-Six
Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven. The earth feared and was still when God arose to
judgment, to save all the meek of the earth.
Seventy-Seven
I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice, and He gave ear unto 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. I
remembered God and was troubled; I complained and my spirit was overwhelmed.
Will the Lord cast off forever, and will He be favorable no more? Is His mercy clean gone forever? Doth His
promise fail for evermore? Hath God forgotten to be gracious? Hath He, in anger, shut up His tender mercies?
And I said, “This is my infirmity. I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High. I will remember
the works of the Lord; surely I will remember Thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all Thy work, and talk
of Thy doings.”
Seventy-Eight
God established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they
should make them known to their children; that the generation to come might know them—even the children
which should be born, who should arise and declare them to their children, that they might set their hope in God,
and not forget the works of God, but keep the commandments. And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn
and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with
God.
Seventy-Nine
O remember not against us for iniquities; let Thy tender mercies speedily prevent us, for we are brought very
low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Thy name, and deliver us and purge away our sins for
Thy name’s sake.
Eighty
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock. Thou that dwellest between the
cherubims, shine forth. Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts; cause Thy face to shine, and we will be saved.
Eighty-One
“I am the Lord, Thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt. I removed his shoulder from the
burden; his hands were delivered from the pots. Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee. I answered thee
in the secret place of thunder; I proved thee at the waters of Meribah.”
“Open thy mouth wide and I will fill it. Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee—O Israel, if thou will
harken unto Me.”
Eighty-Two
Defend the poor and fatherless. Do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; rid them out
of the hand of the wicked. They know not, neither will they understand; they walk in darkness.
Eighty-Three
Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek Thy name, O Lord; that men may know that Thou, whose name
alone is Jehovah, are the most high over all the earth.
Eighty-Four
My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh crieth out for the living
God.
I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
Eighty-Five
I will hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace unto His people, and to His saints, but let them
not again turn to folly. Surely His salvation is nigh them that fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy
and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good, and our land shall
yield her increase.
Eighty-Six
Bow down Thine ear, O Lord; hear me, for I am poor and needy. Be merciful unto me, O Lord, for I cry unto
Thee daily. In the day of my trouble, I will call upon Thee, for Thou wilt answer me. For great is thy mercy
toward me; and Thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.
Eighty-Seven
All my springs are in Thee.
Eighty-Eight
My soul is full of troubles, and my life draweth nigh unto the grave. I am counted with them that go down into
the pit; I am as a man that hath no strength. Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom Thou
rememberest no more, and they are cut off from Thy hand. Thou has laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in
the deeps. O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before Thee; let my prayer come before
Thee; incline Thy ear unto my cry.
Eighty-Nine
Justice and judgment are the habitation of Thy throne; mercy and truth shall go before Thy face. Blessed is the
people that know the joyful sound; they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of Thy countenance.
Ninety
Lord, Thou has been our dwelling place in all the generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever
Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.
Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish Thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the
work of our hands established Thou it.
Ninety-One
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that
walketh in the darkness, nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and
ten thousand at thy right hand, but it shall not come nigh thee, because thou has made the Lord, which is my
refuge, even the most high, thy habitation. There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy
dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
Ninety-Two
It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto Thy name, O Most High; to shew that
the Lord is upright. He is my rock and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
Ninety-Three
The floods have lifted up, O Lord; the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods have lifted up their waves.
The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.
Ninety-Four
The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
Ninety-Five
O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For He is our God, and we are
the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.
Ninety-Six
Let the heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof. Let the field be joyful,
and all that is therein; then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord.
Ninety-Seven
Clouds of darkness are around him, and burneth up his enemies round about. His lightnings enlightened the
world; the earth saw and trembled. The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
For Thou, Lord, art high above all the earth; Thou art exalted far above all gods.
Ninety-Eight
O sing unto the Lord a new song; for He hath done marvelous things. Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills
be joyful together before the Lord. For He cometh to judge the earth; with righteousness shall He judge the
world, and the people with equity.
Ninety-Nine
The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble. The Lord sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.
One Hundred
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 this
people and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise; be
thankful unto Him and bless His name. For the Lord is good, His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endureth to
all generations.
One Hundred One
Whoso privily slandereth his neighbor, him I will cut off. Him that hath a high look and a proud heart will not I
suffer. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me. He that walketh in the
perfect way, he shall serve me. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house. He that telleth lies shall
not tarry in my sight.
One Hundred Two
Of old hast Thou laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Thy 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. But Thou are the same, and Thy years shall have no end.
One Hundred Three
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him. For He knoweth our frame; He
remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For
the wind passeth over it, and it is gone, and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the Lord
is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children’s children.
One Hundred Four
He sendeth the springs unto the valleys, which 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.
The glory of the Lord shall endure forever. The Lord shall rejoice in His works.
One Hundred Five
O give thanks unto the Lord. Call upon His name; make known his deed among the people. Glory ye in His holy
name. Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Remember His marvelous works that He hath done, His
wonders, and the judgments of His mouth.
One Hundred Six
Remember me, O Lord, with the favor that Thou bearest unto Thy people. O visit me with Thy salvation, that I
may see the good of Thy chosen; that I may rejoice in the gladness of Thy nation; that I may glory with mine
inheritance.
One Hundred Seven
Oh, that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For
He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. Such as sit in darkness and in the
shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron, because they rebelled against the words of God, and
contemned the counsel of the most High: therefore He brought down their heart with labor; they fell down, and
there was none to help. Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their
distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. Oh, that
men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!
One Hundred Eight
I will praise Thee, O Lord, among the people, and I will sing praises unto Thee among the nations. For Thy
mercy is great above the heavens, and Thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.
One Hundred Nine
As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him; as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him—because
he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken
in heart.
One Hundred Ten
Thy people shall be wiling in the day of Thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning;
Thou hast the dew of the youth.
One Hundred Eleven
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have they that do His commandments.
His praise endureth forever.
One Hundred Twelve
Unto the upright there ariseth a light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
A good man sheweth favor, and lendeth; he will surely guide his affairs with discretion. He shall not be afraid of
evil tidings; his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his
righteousness endureth forever.
One Hundred Thirteen
Who is like unto the Lord or God, who dwelleth on high? He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the
needy out of the dunghill, that He may set them with princes, even with the princes of their people. He maketh
the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord.
One Hundred Fourteen
Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob—which turned the rock
into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.
One Hundred Fifteen
Ye are blessed of the Lord, which made heaven and earth. The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s, but the
earth hath He given to the children of men.
One Hundred Sixteen
The Lord preserveth the simple; I was brought low and He helped me. The sorrows of death compassed me,
and the pains of hell gat hold upon me; I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of the Lord. O
Lord, I beseech Thee, deliver my soul.
Return unto thy rest, O my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with Thee. For Thou hast delivered my soul
from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.
One Hundred Seventeen
O praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise Him, all ye people. For His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the
truth of the Lord endureth forever. Praise ye the Lord.
One Hundred Eighteen
The first line of the second paragraph was quoted by Elizabeth I when she was informed she was now the Queen
of England.
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do unto me? It is better to trust in the Lord than to put
confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.
This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice
and be glad in it. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
One Hundred Nineteen
This psalm is very long and uniquely arranged. It is divided into stanzas of 8 lines each, and each stanza is
headed by a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. I have condensed each stanza.
Aleph – Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.
Beth – With my whole heart I have sought Thee; O let me not wander from Thy commandments.
Gimel – Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.
Daleth – I will run the way of Thy commandments, when Thou shalt enlarge my heart.
He – Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, and quicken Thou me in Thy way.
Vau – Let Thy mercies come also unto me, O Lord, even Thy salvation, according to Thy word.
Zain – I have remembered Thy name, O Lord, in the night, and have kept Thy law.
Cheth – I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto Thy testimonies.
Teth – Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now have I kept Thy word.
Jod – Thy hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding, that I may learn Thy
commandments.
Caph – My soul fainteth for Thy salvation, but I hope in Thy word.
Lamed – I am Thine; save me, for I have sought Thy precepts.
Mem – I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep Thy word.
Nun – Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Samech – Thou art my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Thy word.
Ain – I am thy servant; give me understanding that I may know Thy testimonies.
Pe – Look Thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as Thou usest to do unto those that love Thy name.
Tzaddi – The righteousness of Thy testimonies is everlasting; give me understanding, and I shall live.
Koph – I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried; I hoped in Thy word.
Resh – Salvation is far from the wicked, for they seek not Thy statutes.
Schin – I hate and abhor lying, but Thy law do I love.
Tau – I have gone astray, like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget Thy commandments.
One Hundred Twenty
My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war.
One Hundred Twenty-One
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which
made heaven and earth.
One Hundred Twenty-Two
Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my breathern and companion’s sakes, I will
say now, “Peace be within thee.”
One Hundred Twenty-Three
Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of
her mistress, so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that He have mercy upon us.
One Hundred Twenty-Four
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
One Hundred Twenty-Five
They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever.
One Hundred Twenty-Six
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
One Hundred Twenty-Seven
Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchmen
waketh but in vain.
One Hundred Twenty-Eight
Blessed is everyone that feareth the Lord, that walketh in His ways.
One Hundred Twenty-Nine
The blessing of the Lord be upon you. We bless you in the name of the Lord.
One Hundred Thirty
Let Israel hope in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption.
One Hundred Thirty-One
Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty; neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too
high for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother.
One Hundred Thirty-Two
I will no give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, until I find out a place for the Lord, a habitation for
the mighty God of Jacob.
One Hundred Thirty-Three
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
One Hundred Thirty-Four
Behold, bless ye the Lord all ye servants of the Lord, which by night stand in the house of the Lord.
One Hundred Thirty-Five
Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did He in heaven and in earth, in the seas and all the deep places. He causeth
the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; He maketh lightnings for the rain; He bringeth the wind out of
His treasuries.
One Hundred Thirty-Six
O give thanks unto the God of heaven, for His mercy endureth forever.
One Hundred Thirty-Seven
How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land? If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her
cunning. It I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth.
One Hundred Thirty-Eight
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me. Thou shalt stretch forth Thine hand against the
wrath of mine enemies, and Thy right hand shall save me.
One Hundred Thirty-Nine
O Lord, Thou hast searched me, and known me. Whither shall I go from Thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee
from Thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art
there. Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked
way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
One Hundred Forty
Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man; preserve me from the violent man.
I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor. Surely the righteous shall
give thanks unto Thy name; the upright shall dwell in Thy presence.
One Hundred Forty-One
Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to
practice wicked works with men that work iniquity.
One Hundred Forty-Two
I cried unto Thee, O Lord. I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
One Hundred Forty-Three
The enemy hath persecuted my soul. He hath smitten my life down to the ground. He hath made me to dwell in
darkness, as those that have been long dead. Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me
is desolate. I stretch forth my hands unto Thee; my soul thirsteth after Thee, as a thirsty land.
One Hundred Forty-Four
Bow Thy heavens, O Lord, and come down. Touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
One Hundred Forty-Five
The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon Thee,
and Thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every
living thing.
One Hundred Forty-Six
Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God; which executeth
judgment for the oppressed; which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth the prisoners. The Lord
openeth the eyes of the blind. The Lord raiseth them that are bowed down. The Lord loveth the righteous. The
Lord preserveth the strangers. He relieveth the fatherless and widow. But the way of the wicked He turneth
upside down.
One Hundred Forty-Seven
He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names. Great is our Lord, and of great power; His
understanding is infinite.
One Hundred Forty-Eight
Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons and all deeps; fire and hail, snow and vapors, stormy wind—fulfilling
His word.
One Hundred Forty-Nine
Let them praise His name in the dance. Let them sing Praises unto Him with the timbrel and harp. For the Lord
taketh pleasure in his people. He will beautify the meek with salvation.
One Hundred Fifty
Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.
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(there were also shorter strands of beads which contained a division of 150—such as 50 beads—which would
be prayed multiple times until the total prayers reached 150). The literate would read one psalm per bead; this
was considered a high level of devotion. For those who could not read the psalms, it was considered almost as
good to say the Lord’s Prayer 150 times instead.
Have you actually ever read all of the psalms all the way through? They’re dragging by psalm number six. They
make a lot of sense from a historical standpoint, because many were written by David while he was in and out of
Saul’s court and constantly falling on hard times. But there’s only so many times you can read his pleas for the
Lord to smite his enemies before you start to doze. Not to mention, we’re a very busy society. Even the
wealthy among us do not have time to sit and read psalms all day. Of course, in the middle ages, there weren’t
things like “Desperate Housewives” to distract and entertain. Reading the psalms in full back then wasn’t so bad
because, let’s face it, it’s not like you had anything more interesting to do.
Enter “The Condensed, Prayable Psalms,” put together by yours truly, with the help of a King James Bible (after
all, this is a medieval-themed operation; can’t have psalms that sound too modern). I have gone through all of
the psalms and picked out the bits which seem most interesting to me—in most cases, just a couple of sentences
that seem poetic or prophetic or uplifting. These are psalms that a normal person should be able to pray in 15-30
minutes—which can be accomplished during daily prayer or meditation time—or they can be broken up so that
you pray all of them over the course of one week.
While I have used the King James version of the Bible because I actually like the fact that it sounds a bit archaic,
I have taken the liberty of modernizing the punctuation so that it reads more fluently. After all, “psalm” means
“poem” or “song;” it needs to flow. I’ve also done away with the verse notations, since they interrupt the flow
of sentences (and were never original to the Bible anyways), and in few cases I did a bit of re-arranging, since
some lines at the end of the psalm sounded better in front of lines further up.
The psalms can be divided into four different types of psalms:
Prayers of thanksgiving
Prayers for help
Moral lessons
Warnings
The two types of prayers are understandable enough, and easy to pray on a paternoster. The other two types
are more meditative. You are not communing directly with God, but rather you are dwelling on the lesson or
warning He has sent you. Psalm number twelve has just such a warning: “The wicked walk on every side when
the vilest men are exalted.” I can’t help but think of Hitler when I read this, and how millions of people turned to
evil because he was elevated to a position of power. This is the warning that you should meditate on, and think
how you will stay righteous in such a situation, and how you will counter evil.
I hope you will find that these condensed psalms are manageable to read and meditate over in your busy, modern
life, and yet, despite their brevity, they still have a message that speaks to you. I have tried to keep each one
different (difficult, seeing how often they repeat certain passages, or even themselves in their entirety), and have
tried to pick passages which will appeal to a wide variety of life stages: there are psalms appropriate for parents,
for hard times, for when you are beaten down by mean people, for illness, for dying, as well as psalms for
happy times.
If you wish to print this text for your use at home, please be aware that it is 25 pages long (24, if you do not
print this introduction). To print this easily, and with as little extraneous text as possible, simply highlight part or
all of the psalms, and right click the mouse and tell it to print. When your printer dialog box comes up, be sure
that it is selected to "print only selected text."
The Condensed, Prayable Psalms
One
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth
in the seat of the scornful. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit
in his season; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not
stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the
righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Two
I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, “Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of
Me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy
possession.”
Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.
Three
Thou, O Lord, art a shield for me, my glory and the lifter up of mine head. I will not be afraid of ten thousands
of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
Salvation belongeth unto the Lord; Thy blessing upon Thy people.
Four
Stand in awe, and sin not; commune with your own heart upon your bed and be still.
I will both lay me down in peace and sleep, for Thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
Five
Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God, for unto Thee will I pray. My voice shalt Thou hear
in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up.
Six
Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are vexed. My soul is also sore
vexed. Return, O Lord, deliver my soul; oh save me for Thy mercies’ sake.
Seven
O Lord, my God, in Thee do I put my trust; save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me.
Eight
When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained,
what is man, that Thou art mindful of him, and the son of man, that Thou visitest him? For Thou hast made him
a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor.
Nine
Let the heathen be judged in Thy sight. Put them in fear, O Lord, that the nations may know themselves to be
but men.
Ten
Why standest Thou afar off, O Lord? Why hidest Thou Thyself in times of trouble? Arise, O Lord; O God, lift
up Thy hand, forget not the humble. Judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no
more oppress.
Eleven
In the Lord I put my trust. For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness.
Twelve
The wicked walk on every side when the vilest men are exalted.
Thirteen
I have trusted in Thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath
dealt bountifully with me.
Fourteen
The fool hath said in his heart, “There is no God; there is none that doeth good.” The Lord looked down from
heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand and seek God. They are all gone
aside, they are all together become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no not one.
Fifteen
Lord, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in Thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and
worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
Sixteen
Preserve me, O God, for in Thee do I put my trust. Thou wilt shew me the path of life; in Thy presence is
fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Seventeen
Thou hast proved mine heart; Thou hast visited me in the night; Thou hast tired me, and shalt find nothing; I am
purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
I will behold Thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.
Eighteen
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength in whom I trust. For Thou wilt
light my candle; the Lord, my God, will enlighten my darkness.
Nineteen
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth His handiwork.
Twenty
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They are
brought down and fallen, but we are risen and stand upright.
Twenty-One
He asked life of Thee, and Thou gavest it him. His glory is great in Thy salvation; honor and majesty hast Thou
laid upon him. For Thou hast made him most blessed forever.
Twenty-Two
My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me? Why art Thou so far from helping me? O my God, I cry in
the daytime, but Thou hearest not; and in the night season, I am not silent.
Be not Thou far from me, O Lord; O my strength, haste Thee to help me. I will declare Thy name unto my
brethren; in the midst of the congregation will I praise Thee.
Twenty-Three
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside
the still waters; He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me. Thy rod
and thy staff they comfort me. You preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest
my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Twenty-Four
The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein. For He hath founded it
upon the seas and established it upon the floods.
This is the generation of them that seek Him, that seek Thy face, O Jacob.
Twenty-Five
Remember not the signs of my youth, nor my transgressions. For Thy name’s sake, O Lord, pardon mine
iniquity, for it is great. Turn Thee unto me, and have mercy upon me, for I am desolate and afflicted. Look
upon mine affliction and my pain and forgive all my sins. O keep my soul and deliver me; let me not be
ashamed, for I put my trust in Thee.
Twenty-Six
Judge me, O Lord, for I have walked in mine integrity. I have trusted also in the Lord, therefore I shall not slide.
Twenty-Seven
The Lord is my light and salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be
afraid? Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should arise against me,
in this will I be confident.
Wait on the Lord. Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord.
Twenty-Eight
Unto Thee will I cry, O Lord, my rock. Be not silent to me, lest if Thou be silent to me, I become like them that
go down into the pit.
Blessed be the Lord, because He hath heard the voice of my supplications.
Twenty-Nine
Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty; give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name. The voice of the Lord is upon
the waters; the God of glory thundereth. The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars; yea the Lord breaketh the
cedars of Lebanon. The voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire. The voice of the Lord shaketh the
wilderness; the Lord shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh. And in his temple doth everyone speak of His glory.
The Lord sitteth upon the flood; yea, the Lord sitteth King forever.
Thirty
O Lord, my God, I cried unto Thee, and Thou hast healed me. O Lord, Thou hast brought up my soul from the
grave; Thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into
dancing; Thou hast put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness.
Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness. O Lord, my God, I
will give thanks unto Thee forever.
Thirty-One
Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.
Thirty-Two
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. I acknowledge my sin unto Thee, and mine
iniquity have I not hid. I said, “I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord,” and Thou forgavest the iniquity
of my sin.
Thirty-Three
By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. He
gathereth the waters of the sea together as a heap; He layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear
the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. For He spoke, and it was done; He
commanded and it stood fast.
The Lord looketh from heaven; He beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of His habitation He looketh
upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashioneth their hearts alike; He considereth their works. There is no
king saved by the multitude of a host; a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope for mercy.
Thirty-Four
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and
pursue it.
The righteous cry and the Lord heareth and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them
that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. The Lord redeemeth the soul of His servants, and none of them that
trust in Him shall be desolate.
Thirty-Five
Lord, who is like unto Thee, which deliverest up the poor from him that is too strong—even the poor and the
needy from him that spoileth them?
Thirty-Six
Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens, and Thy faithfulness reacheth into the clouds. O Lord, thou preservest
man and beast. How excellent is Thy loving kindness, O God! Therefore, the children of men put their trust
under the shadow of Thy wings. For with Thee is the fountain of life; in Thy light shall we see light.
Thirty-Seven
The meek shall inherent the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. A little that a righteous
man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. The wicked borroweth and payeth not again, but the
righteous sheweth mercy and giveth.
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the Lord upholdeth the righteous.
Thirty-Eight
I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. Forsake me not, O Lord. O my God,
be not far from me.
Thirty-Nine
I said, “I will take heed to my ways that I sin not with my tongue; I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the
wicked is before me.”
Forty
I waited patiently for the Lord, and He inclined towards me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of a
horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my foot upon a rock and established my goings.
Many, O Lord, my God, are Thy wonderful works; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than
can be numbered.
Forty-One
Blessed is he that considereth the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.
Forty-Two
My soul thirstest for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God, for I shall yet
praise him for the help of his countenance.
Forty-Three
O send out Thy light and Thy truth; let them lead me; let them bring me unto Thy holy hill, and to Thy
tabernacles. Then will I go unto the alter of God, unto God my exceeding joy; yea, upon the harp will I praise
Thee, O God, my God.
Forty-Four
For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall I trust in my sword to save me. But Thou hast saved us from our
enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.
Forty-Five
Thou lovest righteousness and hatest wickedness; there God, Thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of
gladness above thy fellows.
Forty-Six
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be
removed; and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be
troubled; though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.
“Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the heathen; I will be exalted in the earth.”
Forty-Seven
For God is the King of all the earth; sing ye praises with understanding. Sing praises to God.
Forty-Eight
Walk about Zion, and go round her. Mark ye well her bulwarks, that ye may tell it to the generation following:
for this God is our God, forever and ever; He will be our guide, even unto death.
Forty-Nine
They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches, none of them can, by any
means, redeem his brother, nor give God a ransom for him.
Be thou not afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; for when he dieth, he shall
carry nothing away; his glory shall not descend after him.
Fifty
“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shall glorify Me.”
Fifty-One
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy loving kindness; according unto the multitude of Thy tender
mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For
I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Fifty-Two
Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs, like a sharp razor
working deceitfully. Thou lovest evil more than good, and lying more than to speak righteousness.
God shall likewise destroy thee forever; He shall pluck thee out of thy dwelling place and root thee out of the
land of the living. The righteous shall see and fear, and shall also laugh at this man. “Lo, this is the man that
made not God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and strengthened himself in his
wickedness.”
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
Fifty-Three
Oh, that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people,
Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
Fifty-Four
Behold, God is mine helper. The Lord is with them that uphold my soul.
Fifty-Five
The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet
were they drawn swords.
My heart is sore pained within me, and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. And I said, “Oh, that I had
wings like a dove! For then I would fly away, and be at rest.”
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Fifty-Six
For Thou hast delivered my soul from death; wilt not Thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before
God in the light of the living?
Fifty-Seven
My soul is among lions, and I lie even among them that are set on fire—even the sons of men, whose teeth are
spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. He shall send from heaven and save
me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up.
Fifty-Eight
Verily, there is a reward for the righteous; verily He is a God that judgeth in the earth.
Fifty-Nine
I will sing of Thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of Thy mercy in the morning, for Thou hast been my defense
and refuge in the day of my trouble. Unto Thee, O my strength, will I sing; for God is my defense and the God
of my mercy.
Sixty
O God, Thou hast cast us off; Thou hast scattered us; Thou hast been displeased. O turn Thyself to us again.
Thou hast made the earth to tremble; Thou hast broken it. Heal the breaches thereof, for it shaketh. Thou hast
shewed Thy people hard things; Thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.
Give us help from trouble, for vain is the help of man. Through God we shall do valiantly.
Sixty-One
Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee when my heart is
overwhelmed. For Thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Thy
tabernacle forever. I will trust in the covert of Thy wings.
Sixty-Two
My soul, wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation. He is
my defense. I shall not be moved. Trust in Him at all times, ye people; pour out your heart before Him. God is
a refuge for us.
Sixty-Three
O God, Thou art my God. Early will I seek Thee; my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry
and thirsty land, where no water is.
My soul followeth hard after Thee; Thy right hand upholdeth me.
Sixty-Four
All men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God, for they shall wisely consider of His doing.
Sixty-Five
Thou visitest the earth and waterest it; Thou greatly enrichist it with the river of God, which is full of water.
Thou preparest them corn, when Thou has so provided for it. Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly;
Thou settlest the furrows thereof; Thou makest it soft with showers; Thou blessest the springing thereof. The
pastures are clothed with flocks. The valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy; they also
sing.
Sixty-Six
He ruleth by His power forever. His eyes behold the nations. Let not the rebellious exalt themselves.
Sixty-Seven
God be merciful unto us and bless us; and cause Thy face to shine upon us.
Sixty-Eight
Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord—to Him that rideth upon the heavens of
heavens, which were of old. Lo, He doth send out His voice, and that a mighty voice.
Sixty-Nine
Save me, O God, for the waters are come into my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing; I am
come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying; my throat is dried; mine eyes
fail while I wait for my God.
Deliver me out of the mire and let me not sink. Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow
me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.
O God, thou knowest my foolishness, and my sins are not hid from Thee. Draw nigh unto my soul and redeem
it.
Seventy
I am poor and needy; make haste unto me, O God. Thou art my help and my deliverer; O Lord, make no
tarrying.
Seventy-One
In Thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be put into confusion. Now also, when I am old and grey-
headed, O God, forsake me not, until I have shewed Thy strength unto this generation, and Thy power to
everyone that is to come. Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.
Seventy-Two
Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be His glorious name
forever, and let the whole earth be filled with His glory.
Seventy-Three
I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They are not in trouble as other men,
neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth
them as a garment. They have more than heart could wish. They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning
oppression. Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
When I thought to know this, it was too painful to me, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I
their end. For lo, they that are far from Thee shall perish. But it is good for me to draw near to God.
Seventy-Four
God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth. Thou didst divide the sea by Thy strength.
Thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the water. Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest
him to be meat to the people inhabiting 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.
Thou hast set all the borders of the earth. Thou hast made summer and winter.
Have respect unto the covenant, for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty. O deliver
not the soul of Thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked. Forget not the congregation of Thy poor
forever.
Seventy-Five
Unto Thee, O God, do we give thanks; unto Thee do we give thanks, for that Thy name is near Thy wondrous
works declare.
Seventy-Six
Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven. The earth feared and was still when God arose to
judgment, to save all the meek of the earth.
Seventy-Seven
I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice, and He gave ear unto 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. I
remembered God and was troubled; I complained and my spirit was overwhelmed.
Will the Lord cast off forever, and will He be favorable no more? Is His mercy clean gone forever? Doth His
promise fail for evermore? Hath God forgotten to be gracious? Hath He, in anger, shut up His tender mercies?
And I said, “This is my infirmity. I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High. I will remember
the works of the Lord; surely I will remember Thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all Thy work, and talk
of Thy doings.”
Seventy-Eight
God established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they
should make them known to their children; that the generation to come might know them—even the children
which should be born, who should arise and declare them to their children, that they might set their hope in God,
and not forget the works of God, but keep the commandments. And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn
and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with
God.
Seventy-Nine
O remember not against us for iniquities; let Thy tender mercies speedily prevent us, for we are brought very
low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Thy name, and deliver us and purge away our sins for
Thy name’s sake.
Eighty
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock. Thou that dwellest between the
cherubims, shine forth. Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts; cause Thy face to shine, and we will be saved.
Eighty-One
“I am the Lord, Thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt. I removed his shoulder from the
burden; his hands were delivered from the pots. Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee. I answered thee
in the secret place of thunder; I proved thee at the waters of Meribah.”
“Open thy mouth wide and I will fill it. Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee—O Israel, if thou will
harken unto Me.”
Eighty-Two
Defend the poor and fatherless. Do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; rid them out
of the hand of the wicked. They know not, neither will they understand; they walk in darkness.
Eighty-Three
Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek Thy name, O Lord; that men may know that Thou, whose name
alone is Jehovah, are the most high over all the earth.
Eighty-Four
My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh crieth out for the living
God.
I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
Eighty-Five
I will hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace unto His people, and to His saints, but let them
not again turn to folly. Surely His salvation is nigh them that fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy
and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good, and our land shall
yield her increase.
Eighty-Six
Bow down Thine ear, O Lord; hear me, for I am poor and needy. Be merciful unto me, O Lord, for I cry unto
Thee daily. In the day of my trouble, I will call upon Thee, for Thou wilt answer me. For great is thy mercy
toward me; and Thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.
Eighty-Seven
All my springs are in Thee.
Eighty-Eight
My soul is full of troubles, and my life draweth nigh unto the grave. I am counted with them that go down into
the pit; I am as a man that hath no strength. Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom Thou
rememberest no more, and they are cut off from Thy hand. Thou has laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in
the deeps. O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before Thee; let my prayer come before
Thee; incline Thy ear unto my cry.
Eighty-Nine
Justice and judgment are the habitation of Thy throne; mercy and truth shall go before Thy face. Blessed is the
people that know the joyful sound; they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of Thy countenance.
Ninety
Lord, Thou has been our dwelling place in all the generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever
Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.
Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish Thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the
work of our hands established Thou it.
Ninety-One
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that
walketh in the darkness, nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and
ten thousand at thy right hand, but it shall not come nigh thee, because thou has made the Lord, which is my
refuge, even the most high, thy habitation. There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy
dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
Ninety-Two
It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto Thy name, O Most High; to shew that
the Lord is upright. He is my rock and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
Ninety-Three
The floods have lifted up, O Lord; the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods have lifted up their waves.
The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.
Ninety-Four
The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
Ninety-Five
O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For He is our God, and we are
the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.
Ninety-Six
Let the heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof. Let the field be joyful,
and all that is therein; then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord.
Ninety-Seven
Clouds of darkness are around him, and burneth up his enemies round about. His lightnings enlightened the
world; the earth saw and trembled. The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
For Thou, Lord, art high above all the earth; Thou art exalted far above all gods.
Ninety-Eight
O sing unto the Lord a new song; for He hath done marvelous things. Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills
be joyful together before the Lord. For He cometh to judge the earth; with righteousness shall He judge the
world, and the people with equity.
Ninety-Nine
The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble. The Lord sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.
One Hundred
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 this
people and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise; be
thankful unto Him and bless His name. For the Lord is good, His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endureth to
all generations.
One Hundred One
Whoso privily slandereth his neighbor, him I will cut off. Him that hath a high look and a proud heart will not I
suffer. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me. He that walketh in the
perfect way, he shall serve me. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house. He that telleth lies shall
not tarry in my sight.
One Hundred Two
Of old hast Thou laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Thy 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. But Thou are the same, and Thy years shall have no end.
One Hundred Three
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him. For He knoweth our frame; He
remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For
the wind passeth over it, and it is gone, and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the Lord
is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children’s children.
One Hundred Four
He sendeth the springs unto the valleys, which 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.
The glory of the Lord shall endure forever. The Lord shall rejoice in His works.
One Hundred Five
O give thanks unto the Lord. Call upon His name; make known his deed among the people. Glory ye in His holy
name. Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Remember His marvelous works that He hath done, His
wonders, and the judgments of His mouth.
One Hundred Six
Remember me, O Lord, with the favor that Thou bearest unto Thy people. O visit me with Thy salvation, that I
may see the good of Thy chosen; that I may rejoice in the gladness of Thy nation; that I may glory with mine
inheritance.
One Hundred Seven
Oh, that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For
He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. Such as sit in darkness and in the
shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron, because they rebelled against the words of God, and
contemned the counsel of the most High: therefore He brought down their heart with labor; they fell down, and
there was none to help. Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their
distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. Oh, that
men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!
One Hundred Eight
I will praise Thee, O Lord, among the people, and I will sing praises unto Thee among the nations. For Thy
mercy is great above the heavens, and Thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.
One Hundred Nine
As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him; as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him—because
he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken
in heart.
One Hundred Ten
Thy people shall be wiling in the day of Thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning;
Thou hast the dew of the youth.
One Hundred Eleven
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have they that do His commandments.
His praise endureth forever.
One Hundred Twelve
Unto the upright there ariseth a light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
A good man sheweth favor, and lendeth; he will surely guide his affairs with discretion. He shall not be afraid of
evil tidings; his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his
righteousness endureth forever.
One Hundred Thirteen
Who is like unto the Lord or God, who dwelleth on high? He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the
needy out of the dunghill, that He may set them with princes, even with the princes of their people. He maketh
the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord.
One Hundred Fourteen
Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob—which turned the rock
into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.
One Hundred Fifteen
Ye are blessed of the Lord, which made heaven and earth. The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s, but the
earth hath He given to the children of men.
One Hundred Sixteen
The Lord preserveth the simple; I was brought low and He helped me. The sorrows of death compassed me,
and the pains of hell gat hold upon me; I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of the Lord. O
Lord, I beseech Thee, deliver my soul.
Return unto thy rest, O my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with Thee. For Thou hast delivered my soul
from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.
One Hundred Seventeen
O praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise Him, all ye people. For His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the
truth of the Lord endureth forever. Praise ye the Lord.
One Hundred Eighteen
The first line of the second paragraph was quoted by Elizabeth I when she was informed she was now the Queen
of England.
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do unto me? It is better to trust in the Lord than to put
confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.
This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice
and be glad in it. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
One Hundred Nineteen
This psalm is very long and uniquely arranged. It is divided into stanzas of 8 lines each, and each stanza is
headed by a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. I have condensed each stanza.
Aleph – Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.
Beth – With my whole heart I have sought Thee; O let me not wander from Thy commandments.
Gimel – Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.
Daleth – I will run the way of Thy commandments, when Thou shalt enlarge my heart.
He – Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, and quicken Thou me in Thy way.
Vau – Let Thy mercies come also unto me, O Lord, even Thy salvation, according to Thy word.
Zain – I have remembered Thy name, O Lord, in the night, and have kept Thy law.
Cheth – I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto Thy testimonies.
Teth – Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now have I kept Thy word.
Jod – Thy hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding, that I may learn Thy
commandments.
Caph – My soul fainteth for Thy salvation, but I hope in Thy word.
Lamed – I am Thine; save me, for I have sought Thy precepts.
Mem – I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep Thy word.
Nun – Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Samech – Thou art my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Thy word.
Ain – I am thy servant; give me understanding that I may know Thy testimonies.
Pe – Look Thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as Thou usest to do unto those that love Thy name.
Tzaddi – The righteousness of Thy testimonies is everlasting; give me understanding, and I shall live.
Koph – I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried; I hoped in Thy word.
Resh – Salvation is far from the wicked, for they seek not Thy statutes.
Schin – I hate and abhor lying, but Thy law do I love.
Tau – I have gone astray, like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget Thy commandments.
One Hundred Twenty
My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war.
One Hundred Twenty-One
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which
made heaven and earth.
One Hundred Twenty-Two
Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my breathern and companion’s sakes, I will
say now, “Peace be within thee.”
One Hundred Twenty-Three
Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of
her mistress, so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that He have mercy upon us.
One Hundred Twenty-Four
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
One Hundred Twenty-Five
They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever.
One Hundred Twenty-Six
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
One Hundred Twenty-Seven
Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchmen
waketh but in vain.
One Hundred Twenty-Eight
Blessed is everyone that feareth the Lord, that walketh in His ways.
One Hundred Twenty-Nine
The blessing of the Lord be upon you. We bless you in the name of the Lord.
One Hundred Thirty
Let Israel hope in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption.
One Hundred Thirty-One
Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty; neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too
high for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother.
One Hundred Thirty-Two
I will no give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, until I find out a place for the Lord, a habitation for
the mighty God of Jacob.
One Hundred Thirty-Three
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
One Hundred Thirty-Four
Behold, bless ye the Lord all ye servants of the Lord, which by night stand in the house of the Lord.
One Hundred Thirty-Five
Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did He in heaven and in earth, in the seas and all the deep places. He causeth
the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; He maketh lightnings for the rain; He bringeth the wind out of
His treasuries.
One Hundred Thirty-Six
O give thanks unto the God of heaven, for His mercy endureth forever.
One Hundred Thirty-Seven
How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land? If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her
cunning. It I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth.
One Hundred Thirty-Eight
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me. Thou shalt stretch forth Thine hand against the
wrath of mine enemies, and Thy right hand shall save me.
One Hundred Thirty-Nine
O Lord, Thou hast searched me, and known me. Whither shall I go from Thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee
from Thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art
there. Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked
way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
One Hundred Forty
Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man; preserve me from the violent man.
I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor. Surely the righteous shall
give thanks unto Thy name; the upright shall dwell in Thy presence.
One Hundred Forty-One
Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to
practice wicked works with men that work iniquity.
One Hundred Forty-Two
I cried unto Thee, O Lord. I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
One Hundred Forty-Three
The enemy hath persecuted my soul. He hath smitten my life down to the ground. He hath made me to dwell in
darkness, as those that have been long dead. Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me
is desolate. I stretch forth my hands unto Thee; my soul thirsteth after Thee, as a thirsty land.
One Hundred Forty-Four
Bow Thy heavens, O Lord, and come down. Touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
One Hundred Forty-Five
The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon Thee,
and Thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every
living thing.
One Hundred Forty-Six
Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God; which executeth
judgment for the oppressed; which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth the prisoners. The Lord
openeth the eyes of the blind. The Lord raiseth them that are bowed down. The Lord loveth the righteous. The
Lord preserveth the strangers. He relieveth the fatherless and widow. But the way of the wicked He turneth
upside down.
One Hundred Forty-Seven
He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names. Great is our Lord, and of great power; His
understanding is infinite.
One Hundred Forty-Eight
Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons and all deeps; fire and hail, snow and vapors, stormy wind—fulfilling
His word.
One Hundred Forty-Nine
Let them praise His name in the dance. Let them sing Praises unto Him with the timbrel and harp. For the Lord
taketh pleasure in his people. He will beautify the meek with salvation.
One Hundred Fifty
Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.
This work has been produced for the express enjoyment of the fans and customers of The Medieval Nun. This
work may be printed for private use and educational purposes only. This work may NOT be duplicated on the
world wide web or by electronic message (e-mail), in part or in full, nor may it be printed for commercial use, in
part or in full. Copyright 2008, Keri Peardon.
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