Psalms

I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

1I will thank the LORD at all times. I will always have praise for him on my lips.

2My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

2I am proud of the LORD with my whole self. People who are beaten down will hear it and be glad.

3O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

3Tell how great the LORD is along with me. Let us lift up his name together.

4I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

4I looked for the LORD, and he answered me. He rescued me from everything I was afraid of.

5They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

5People who look to him shine with joy. They will never have to hang their heads in shame.

6This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

6This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him. He saved him from all his troubles.

7The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

7The angel of the LORD sets up camp around those who honor him, and he rescues them.

8O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

8Taste and see that the LORD is good. Happy is the person who takes shelter in him.

9O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

9Honor the LORD, you who belong to him. Those who honor him lack nothing they need.

Note"Want" in the old wording means lack, not wish for. The verse says people who honor God do not go without.

10The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

10Young lions go without food and grow hungry. But those who look for the LORD will not lack any good thing.

Note"Suffer hunger" means go hungry. Even strong young lions can end up without food.

11Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

11Come, children, listen to me. I will teach you what it means to honor the LORD.

12What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?

12Is there anyone who loves life and wants many good days?

13Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

13Then keep your tongue from saying evil things, and your lips from telling lies.

14Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

14Turn away from evil and do good. Look for peace, and chase after it.

15The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

15The LORD watches over people who do what is right. He listens closely when they cry out.

16The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

16But the LORD sets himself against those who do evil. He will wipe away every memory of them from the earth.

17The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

17Those who do right cry out, and the LORD hears them. He rescues them from all their troubles.

18The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

18The LORD stays close to people whose hearts are broken. He saves those who are crushed inside.

19Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

19People who do right go through many hard things. But the LORD brings them safely through them all.

20He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

20He guards every one of their bones. Not a single one of them is broken.

21Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.

21Evil will kill the wicked. Those who hate people who do right will be found guilty.

Note"Desolate" in the old wording here means condemned, or found guilty, not lonely or empty.

22The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

22The LORD buys back the lives of those who serve him. No one who takes shelter in him will be found guilty.