Selected Psalms

Wisdom Of God

Psalm 33 Exultate, justi.

REJOICE in the LORD, O ye righteous; * for it becometh well the just to be thankful.

2Praise the LORD with harp; * sing praises unto him with the lute, and instrument of ten strings.

3Sing unto the LORD a new song; * sing praises lustily unto him with a good courage.

4For the word of the LORD is true; * and all his works are faithful.

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

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

7He gathereth the waters of the sea together, as it were upon an heap; * and layeth up the deep, as in a treasure-house.

8Let all the earth fear the LORD: * stand in awe of him, all ye that dwell in the world.

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

10The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought, * and maketh the devices of the people to be of none effect, and casteth out the counsels of princes.

11The counsel of the LORD shall endure for ever, * and the thoughts of his heart from generation to generation.

12Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord JEHOVAH; * and blessed are the folk that he hath chosen to him, to be his inheritance.

13The LORD looketh down from heaven, and beholdeth all the children of men; * from the habitation of his dwelling, he considereth all them that dwell on the earth.

14He fashioneth all the hearts of them, * and understandeth all their works.

15There is no king that can be saved by the multitude of an host; * neither is any mighty man delivered by much strength.

16A horse is counted but a vain thing to save a man; * neither shall he deliver any man by his great strength.

17Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, * and upon them that put their trust in his mercy;

18To deliver their soul from death, * and to feed them in the time of dearth.

19Our soul hath patiently tarried for the LORD; * for he is our help and our shield.

20For our heart shall rejoice in him; * because we have hoped in his holy Name.

21Let thy merciful kindness, O LORD, be upon us, * like as we do put our trust in thee.

Psalm 104 Benedic, anima mea.

PRAISE the LORD, O my soul: * O LORD my God, thou art become exceeding glorious; thou art clothed with majesty and honour.

2Thou deckest thyself with light as it were with a garment, * and spreadest out the heavens like a curtain.

3Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters, * and maketh the clouds his chariot, and walketh upon the wings of the wind.

4He maketh his angels winds, * and his ministers a flaming fire.

5He laid the foundations of the earth, * that it never should move at any time.

6Thou coveredst it with the deep like as with a garment; * the waters stand above the hills.

7At thy rebuke they flee; * at the voice of thy thunder they haste away.

8They go up as high as the hills, and down to the valleys beneath; * even unto the place which thou hast appointed for them.

9Thou hast set them their bounds, which they shall not pass, * neither turn again to cover the earth.

10He sendeth the springs into the rivers, * which run among the hills.

11All beasts of the field drink thereof, * and the wild asses quench their thirst.

12Beside them shall the fowls of the air have their habitation, * and sing among the branches.

13He watereth the hills from above; * the earth is filled with the fruit of thy works.

14He bringeth forth grass for the cattle, * and green herb for the service of men;

15That he may bring food out of the earth, and wine that maketh glad the heart of man; * and oil to make him a cheerful countenance, and bread to strengthen man's heart.

16The trees of the LORD also are full of sap; * even the cedars of Lebanon which he hath planted;

17Wherein the birds make their nests; * and the fir-trees are a dwelling for the stork.

18The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; * and so are the stony rocks for the conies.

19He appointed the moon for certain seasons, * and the sun knoweth his going down.

20Thou makest darkness that it may be night; * wherein all the beasts of the forest do move.

21The lions, roaring after their prey, * do seek their meat from God.

22The sun ariseth, and they get them away together, * and lay them down in their dens.

23Man goeth forth to his work, and to his labour, * until the evening.

24O LORD, how manifold are thy works! * in wisdom hast thou made them all; the earth is full of thy riches.

25So is the great and wide sea also; * wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.

26There go the ships, and there is that leviathan, * whom thou hast made to take his pastime therein.

27These wait all upon thee, * that thou mayest give them meat in due season.

28When thou givest it them, they gather it; * and when thou openest thy hand, they are filled with good.

29When thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: * when thou takest away their breath, they die, and are turned again to their dust.

30When thou lettest thy breath go forth, they shall be made; * and thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

31The glorious majesty of the LORD shall endure for ever; * the LORD shall rejoice in his works.

32The earth shall tremble at the look of him; * if he do but touch the hills, they shall smoke.

33I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live; * I will praise my God while I have my being.

34And so shall my words please him: * my joy shall be in the LORD.

35As for sinners, they shall be consumed out of the earth, * and the ungodly shall come to an end.

36Praise thou the LORD, O my soul. * Praise the LORD.

Psalm 111 Confitebor tibi.

I will give thanks unto the LORD with my whole heart, * secretly among the faithful, and in the congregation.

2The works of the LORD are great, * sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.

3His work is worthy to be praised and had in honour, * and his righteousness endureth for ever.

4The merciful and gracious LORD hath so done his marvellous works, * that they ought to be had in remembrance.

5He hath given meat unto them that fear him; * he shall ever be mindful of his covenant.

6He hath showed his people the power of his works, * that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.

7The works of his hands are verity and judgment; * all his commandments are true.

8They stand fast for ever and ever, * and are done in truth and equity.

9He sent redemption unto his people; * he hath commanded his covenant for ever; holy and reverend is his Name.

10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; * a good understanding have all they that do thereafter; his praise endureth for ever.

Psalm 113 Laudate, pueri

PRAISE the LORD, ye servants; * O praise the Name of the LORD.

2Blessed be the Name of the LORD * from this time forth for evermore.

3The LORD’S Name is praised * from the rising up of the sun unto the going down of the same.

4The LORD is high above all nations, * and his glory above the heavens.

5Who is like unto the LORD our God, that hath his dwelling so high, * and yet humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven and earth!

6He taketh up the simple out of the dust, * and lifteth the poor out of the mire;

7That he may set him with the princes, * even with the princes of his people.

8He maketh the barren woman to keep house, * and to be a joyful mother of children.

Psalm 139 Domine, probasti.

O LORD, thou hast searched me out, and known me. * Thou knowest my down-sitting, and mine uprising; thou understandest my thoughts long before.

2Thou art about my path, and about my bed; * and art acquainted with all my ways.

3For lo, there is not a word in my tongue, * but thou, O LORD, knowest it altogether.

4Thou hast beset me behind and before, * and laid thine hand upon me.

5Such knowledge is too wonderful and excellent for me; * I cannot attain unto it.

6Whither shall I go then from thy Spirit? * or whither shall I go then from thy presence?

7If I climb up into heaven, thou art there; * if I go down to hell, thou art there also.

8If I take the wings of the morning, * and remain in the uttermost parts of the sea;

9Even there also shall thy hand lead me, * and thy right hand shall hold me.

10If I say, Peradventure the darkness shall cover me; * then shall my night be turned to day.

11Yea, the darkness is no darkness with thee, but the night is as clear as the day; * the darkness and light to thee are both alike.

12For my reins are thine; * thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

13I will give thanks unto thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: * marvellous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well.

14My bones are not hid from thee, * though I be made secretly, and fashioned beneath in the earth.

15Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being imperfect; * and in thy book were all my members written;

16Which day by day were fashioned, * when as yet there was none of them.

17How dear are thy counsels unto me, O God; * O how great is the sum of them!

18If I tell them, they are more in number than the sand: * when I wake up, I am present with thee.

19Wilt thou not slay the wicked, O God? * Depart from me, ye blood-thirsty men.

20For they speak unrighteously against thee; * and thine enemies take thy Name in vain.

21Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? * and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?

22Yea, I hate them right sore; * even as though they were mine enemies.

23Try me, O God, and seek the ground of my heart; * prove me, and examine my thoughts.

24Look well if there be any way of wickedness in me; * and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 145 Exaltabo te, Deus.

I will magnify thee, O God, my King; * and I will praise thy Name for ever and ever.

2Every day will I give thanks unto thee; * and praise thy Name for ever and ever.

3Great is the LORD, and marvellous worthy to be praised; * there is no end of his greatness.

4One generation shall praise thy works unto another, * and declare thy power.

5As for me, I will be talking of thy worship, * thy glory, thy praise, and wondrous works;

6So that men shall speak of the might of thy marvellous acts; * and I will also tell of thy greatness.

7The memorial of thine abundant kindness shall be showed; * and men shall sing of thy righteousness.

8The LORD is gracious and merciful; * long-suffering, and of great goodness.

9The LORD is loving unto every man; * and his mercy is over all his works.

10All thy works praise thee, O LORD; * and thy saints give thanks unto thee.

11They show the glory of thy kingdom, * and talk of thy power;

12That thy power, thy glory, and mightiness of thy kingdom, * might be known unto men.

13Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, * and thy dominion endureth throughout all ages.

14The LORD upholdeth all such as fall, * and lifteth up all those that are down.

15The eyes of all wait upon thee, O Lord; * and thou givest them their meat in due season.

16Thou openest thine hand, * and fillest all things living with plenteousness.

17The LORD is righteous in all his ways, * and holy in all his works.

18The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him; * yea, all such as call upon him faithfully.

19He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him; * he also will hear their cry, and will help them.

20The LORD preserveth all them that love him; * but scattereth abroad all the ungodly.

21My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD; * and let all flesh give thanks unto his holy Name for ever and ever.

Psalm 147 Laudate Dominum.

PRAISE the LORD, for it is a good thing to sing praises unto our God; * yea, a joyful and pleasant thing it is to be thankful.

2The LORD doth build up Jerusalem, * and gather together the outcasts of Israel.

3He healeth those that are broken in heart, * and giveth medicine to heal their sickness.

4He telleth the number of the stars, * and calleth them all by their names.

5Great is our Lord, and great is his power; * yea, and his wisdom is infinite.

6The LORD setteth up the meek, * and bringeth the ungodly down to the ground.

7O sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; * sing praises upon the harp unto our God:

8Who covereth the heaven with clouds, and prepareth rain for the earth; * and maketh the grass to grow upon the mountains, and herb for the use of men;

9Who giveth fodder unto the cattle, * and feedeth the young ravens that call upon him.

10He hath no pleasure in the strength of an horse; * neither delighteth he in any man's legs.

11But the LORD'S delight is in them that fear him, * and put their trust in his mercy.

12Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; * praise thy God, O Sion.

13For he hath made fast the bars of thy gates, * and hath blessed thy children within thee.

14He maketh peace in thy borders, * and filleth thee with the flour of wheat.

15He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth, * and his word runneth very swiftly.

16He giveth snow like wool, * and scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.

17He casteth forth his ice like morsels: * who is able to abide his frost?

18He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: * he bloweth with his wind, and the waters flow.

19He showeth his word unto Jacob, * his statutes and ordinances unto Israel.

20He hath not dealt so with any nation; * neither have the heathen knowledge of his laws.