Psalms

Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.

1Be glad because of the LORD, you who do what is right. Praise is the fitting thing for honest people to offer.

Note"Comely" in the King James Version means fitting or suitable, not good-looking.

2Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.

2Praise the LORD with the harp. Make music to him on an instrument with ten strings.

3Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.

3Sing him a new song. Play well, and shout out loud for joy.

4For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.

4The word of the LORD is straight and true. Everything he does can be trusted.

5He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.

5He loves what is right and fair. The earth is full of the LORD's steady love.

6By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

6The LORD spoke, and the sky was made. The breath of his mouth made all the stars.

Note"All the host of them" means the stars. Older English called the stars the armies of the sky.

7He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.

7He piles the waters of the sea into a heap. He stores the deep waters away like grain in a barn.

8Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

8Let everyone on earth stand in awe of the LORD. Let all who live in the world honor him.

9For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.

9He spoke, and it happened. He gave the order, and it stood firm.

10The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.

10The LORD ruins the plans of the nations. He stops the schemes of the peoples from working.

Note"Heathen" in the King James Version simply means the other nations, the peoples outside Israel.

11The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

11But the plans of the LORD stand forever. What he decides lasts for all time to come.

12Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

12Happy is the nation whose God is the LORD. Happy are the people he chose to be his own.

13The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.

13The LORD looks down from heaven. He sees every single person.

14From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.

14From the place where he lives, he watches everyone who lives on earth.

15He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.

15He shapes the heart of each one of them. He pays attention to everything they do.

16There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.

16No king is saved by having a huge army. No strong soldier is rescued by his own great strength.

17An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.

17A warhorse is no real hope for safety. Even its great strength cannot rescue anyone.

18Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;

18Look: the LORD keeps his eye on those who honor him, on those who put their hope in his steady love.

Note"Mercy" here translates a Hebrew word for loyal, lasting love, not just pity or forgiveness.

19To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.

19He saves them from death. He keeps them alive when there is no food.

20Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.

20We wait for the LORD. He is our help and our shield.

21For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.

21Our hearts are glad because of him, because we have trusted his holy name.

22Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

22LORD, let your steady love rest on us, just as we put our hope in you.