Psalms 45-50
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 45
1My heart is moved with a good theme; I address my verses to the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. 2You are the most handsome of the sons of mankind; Grace is poured upon Your lips; Therefore God has blessed You forever. 3Strap Your sword on Your thigh, Mighty One, In Your splendor and majesty! 4And in Your majesty ride on victoriously, For the cause of truth, humility, and righteousness; Let Your right hand teach You awesome things. 5Your arrows are sharp; The peoples fall under You; Your arrows are in the heart of the King’s enemies. 6Your throne, God, is forever and ever; The scepter of Your kingdom is a scepter of justice. 7You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of joy above Your companions. 8All Your garments are fragrant with myrrh, aloes, and cassia; From ivory palaces stringed instruments have made You joyful. 9Kings’ daughters are among Your noble women; At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir. 10Listen, daughter, look and incline your ear: Forget your people and your father’s house; 11Then the King will crave your beauty. Because He is your Lord, bow down to Him. 12The daughter of Tyre will come with a gift; The wealthy among the people will seek your favor. 13The King’s daughter is all glorious within; Her clothing is interwoven with gold. 14She will be brought to the King in colorful garments; The virgins, her companions who follow her, Will be brought to You. 15They will be brought with joy and rejoicing; They will enter into the King’s palace. 16In place of your fathers will be your sons; You shall make them princes in all the earth. 17I will make Your name known among all generations; Therefore the peoples will praise You forever and ever.Chapter 46
1 God is our refuge and strength, A very ready help in trouble. 2Therefore we will not fear, though the earth shakes And the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; 3Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah 4There is a river whose streams make the city of God happy, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. 5God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. 6The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth quaked. 7The Lord of armies is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah 8Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has inflicted horrific events on the earth. 9He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire. 10'Stop striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted on the earth.' 11The Lord of armies is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. SelahChapter 47
1Clap your hands, all you peoples; Shout to God with a voice of joy. 2For the Lord Most High is to be feared, A great King over all the earth. 3He subdues peoples under us And nations under our feet. 4He chooses our inheritance for us, The pride of Jacob whom He loves. Selah 5God has ascended with a shout, The Lord, with the sound of a trumpet. 6Sing praises to God, sing praises; Sing praises to our King, sing praises. 7For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with a psalm of wisdom. 8God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne. 9The princes of the people have assembled as the people of the God of Abraham, For the shields of the earth belong to God; He is highly exalted.Chapter 48
1Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised In the city of our God, His holy mountain. 2Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion in the far north, The city of the great King. 3In its palaces, God has made Himself known as a stronghold. 4For, behold, the kings arrived, They passed by together. 5They saw it, then they were amazed; They were terrified, they fled in a hurry. 6 Panic seized them there, Anguish, as that of a woman in childbirth. 7With the east wind You smash the ships of Tarshish. 8Just as we have heard, so have we seen In the city of the Lord of armies, in the city of our God; God will establish her forever. Selah 9We have thought over Your goodness, God, In the midst of Your temple. 10As is Your name, God, So is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness. 11Mount Zion shall be glad, The daughters of Judah shall rejoice Because of Your judgments. 12Walk around Zion and encircle her; Count her towers; 13Consider her ramparts; Go through her palaces, So that you may tell of her to the next generation. 14For such is God, Our God forever and ever; He will lead us until death.Chapter 49
1Hear this, all peoples; Listen, all inhabitants of the world, 2Both low and high, Rich and poor together. 3My mouth will speak wisdom, And the meditation of my heart will be understanding. 4I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will express my riddle on the harp. 5Why should I fear in days of adversity, When the injustice of those who betray me surrounds me, 6Those who trust in their wealth And boast in the abundance of their riches? 7No one can by any means redeem another Or give God a ransom for him— 8For the redemption of his soul is priceless, And he should cease imagining forever— 9That he might live on eternally, That he might not undergo decay. 10For he sees that even wise people die; The foolish and the stupid alike perish And leave their wealth to others. 11Their inner thought is that their houses are forever And their dwelling places to all generations; They have named their lands after their own names. 12But man in his splendor will not endure; He is like the animals that perish. 13This is the way of those who are foolish, And of those after them who approve their words. Selah 14Like sheep they sink down to Sheol; Death will be their shepherd; And the upright will rule over them in the morning, And their form shall be for Sheol to consume So that they have no lofty home. 15But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, For He will receive me. Selah 16Do not be afraid when a person becomes rich, When the splendor of his house is increased; 17For when he dies, he will take nothing with him; His wealth will not descend after him. 18Though while he lives he congratulates himself— And though people praise you when you do well for yourself— 19 He will go to the generation of his fathers; They will never see the light. 20Mankind in its splendor, yet without understanding, Is like the animals that perish.Chapter 50
1 The Mighty One, God, the Lord, has spoken And summoned the earth, from the rising of the sun to its setting. 2Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God has shone. 3May our God come and not keep silent; Fire devours before Him, And a storm is violently raging around Him. 4He summons the heavens above, And the earth, to judge His people: 5'Gather My godly ones to Me, Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.' 6And the heavens declare His righteousness, For God Himself is judge. Selah 7'Hear, My people, and I will speak; Israel, I will testify against you; I am God, your God. 8I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices, And your burnt offerings are continually before Me. 9I will not take a bull from your house, Nor male goats from your folds. 10For every animal of the forest is Mine, The cattle on a thousand hills. 11I know every bird of the mountains, And everything that moves in the field is Mine. 12If I were hungry I would not tell you, For the world is Mine, and everything it contains. 13Shall I eat the flesh of bulls Or drink the blood of male goats? 14Offer God a sacrifice of thanksgiving And pay your vows to the Most High; 15Call upon Me on the day of trouble; I will rescue you, and you will honor Me.' 16But to the wicked God says, 'What right do you have to tell of My statutes And to take My covenant in your mouth? 17For you yourself hate discipline, And you throw My words behind you. 18When you see a thief, you become friends with him, And you associate with adulterers. 19You let your mouth loose in evil, And your tongue harnesses deceit. 20You sit and speak against your brother; You slander your own mother’s son. 21These things you have done and I kept silent; You thought that I was just like you; I will rebuke you and present the case before your eyes. 22'Now consider this, you who forget God, Or I will tear you in pieces, and there will be no one to save you. 23He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; And to him who sets his way properly I will show the salvation of God.'King James Version
Christian Standard Bible
2You are the most handsome of men; grace flows from your lips. Therefore God has blessed you forever.
3Mighty warrior, strap your sword at your side. In your majesty and splendor —
4in your splendor ride triumphantly in the cause of truth, humility, and justice. May your right hand show your awe-inspiring acts.
5Your sharpened arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies; the peoples fall under you.
6Your throne, God, is forever and ever; the scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of justice.
7You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy more than your companions.
8Myrrh, aloes, and cassia perfume all your garments; from ivory palaces harps bring you joy.
9Kings’ daughters are among your honored women; the queen, adorned with gold from Ophir, stands at your right hand.
10Listen, daughter, pay attention and consider: forget your people and your father’s house,
11and the king will desire your beauty. Bow down to him, for he is your lord.
12The daughter of Tyre, the wealthy people, will seek your favor with gifts.
13In her chamber, the royal daughter is all glorious, her clothing embroidered with gold.
14In colorful garments she is led to the king; after her, the virgins, her companions, are brought to you.
15They are led in with gladness and rejoicing; they enter the king’s palace.
16Your sons will succeed your ancestors; you will make them princes throughout the land.
17I will cause your name to be remembered for all generations; therefore the peoples will praise you forever and ever.
Chapter 46
1For the choir director. A song of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble. 2Therefore we will not be afraid, though the earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the seas,
3though its water roars and foams and the mountains quake with its turmoil. Selah
4There is a river— its streams delight the city of God, the holy dwelling place of the Most High.
5God is within her; she will not be toppled. God will help her when the morning dawns.
6Nations rage, kingdoms topple; the earth melts when he lifts his voice.
7The Lord of Armies is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah
8Come, see the works of the Lord, who brings devastation on the earth.
9He makes wars cease throughout the earth. He shatters bows and cuts spears to pieces; he sets wagons ablaze.
10"Stop your fighting, and know that I am God, exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth."
Chapter 47
1For the choir director. A psalm of the sons of Korah. Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with a jubilant cry. 2For the Lord, the Most High, is awe-inspiring, a great King over the whole earth. 3He subdues peoples under us and nations under our feet.
4He chooses for us our inheritance— the pride of Jacob, whom he loves. Selah
5God ascends among shouts of joy, the Lord, with the sound of trumpets.
6Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our King, sing praise!
7Sing a song of wisdom, for God is King of the whole earth.
8God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.
9The nobles of the peoples have assembled with the people of the God of Abraham. For the leaders of the earth belong to God; he is greatly exalted.
Chapter 48
1A song. A psalm of the sons of Korah. The Lord is great and highly praised in the city of our God. His holy mountain, 2rising splendidly, is the joy of the whole earth. Mount Zion—the summit of Zaphon— is the city of the great King.
3God is known as a stronghold in its citadels.
4Look! The kings assembled; they advanced together.
5They looked and froze with fear; they fled in terror.
6Trembling seized them there, agony like that of a woman in labor,
8Just as we heard, so we have seen in the city of the Lord of Armies, in the city of our God; God will establish it forever. Selah
9God, within your temple, we contemplate your faithful love.
10Like your name, God, so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with justice.
11Mount Zion is glad. Judah’s villages rejoice because of your judgments.
12Go around Zion, encircle it; count its towers,
13note its ramparts; tour its citadels so that you can tell a future generation:
14"This God, our God forever and ever— he will always lead us."
Chapter 49
1For the choir director. A psalm of the sons of Korah. Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who inhabit the world, 2both low and high, rich and poor together. 3My mouth speaks wisdom; my heart’s meditation brings understanding.
4I turn my ear to a proverb; I explain my riddle with a lyre.
5Why should I fear in times of trouble? The iniquity of my foes surrounds me.
6They trust in their wealth and boast of their abundant riches.
7Yet these cannot redeem a person or pay his ransom to God —
8since the price of redeeming him is too costly, one should forever stop trying —
9so that he may live forever and not see the Pit.
10For one can see that the wise die; the foolish and stupid also pass away. Then they leave their wealth to others.
11Their graves are their permanent homes, their dwellings from generation to generation, though they have named estates after themselves.
13This is the way of those who are arrogant, and of their followers, who approve of their words. Selah
14Like sheep they are headed for Sheol; Death will shepherd them. The upright will rule over them in the morning, and their form will waste away in Sheol, far from their lofty abode.
15But God will redeem me from the power of Sheol, for he will take me. Selah
16Do not be afraid when a person gets rich, when the wealth of his house increases.
17For when he dies, he will take nothing at all; his wealth will not follow him down.
18Though he blesses himself during his lifetime— and you are acclaimed when you do well for yourself —
19he will go to the generation of his fathers; they will never see the light.
20Mankind, with his assets but without understanding, is like the animals that perish.
Chapter 50
1A psalm of Asaph. The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks; he summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. 2From Zion, the perfection of beauty, God appears in radiance. 3Our God is coming; he will not be silent! Devouring fire precedes him, and a storm rages around him. 4On high, he summons heaven and earth in order to judge his people: 5"Gather my faithful ones to me, those who made a covenant with me by sacrifice."
6The heavens proclaim his righteousness, for God is the Judge. Selah
7"Listen, my people, and I will speak; I will testify against you, Israel. I am God, your God.
8I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices or for your burnt offerings, which are continually before me.
9I will not take a bull from your household or male goats from your pens,
10for every animal of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.
11I know every bird of the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine.
12If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and everything in it is mine.
13Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?
14Sacrifice a thank offering to God, and pay your vows to the Most High.
15Call on me in a day of trouble; I will rescue you, and you will honor me."
16But God says to the wicked: "What right do you have to recite my statutes and to take my covenant on your lips?
17You hate instruction and fling my words behind you.
18When you see a thief, you make friends with him, and you associate with adulterers.
19You unleash your mouth for evil and harness your tongue for deceit.
20You sit, maligning your brother, slandering your mother’s son.
21You have done these things, and I kept silent; you thought I was just like you. But I will rebuke you and lay out the case before you.
22"Understand this, you who forget God, or I will tear you apart, and there will be no one to rescue you.
23Whoever sacrifices a thank offering honors me, and whoever orders his conduct, I will show him the salvation of God."
New Living Translation
2You are the most handsome of all. Gracious words stream from your lips. God himself has blessed you forever.
3Put on your sword, O mighty warrior! You are so glorious, so majestic!
4In your majesty, ride out to victory, defending truth, humility, and justice. Go forth to perform awe-inspiring deeds!
5Your arrows are sharp, piercing your enemies’ hearts. The nations fall beneath your feet.
6Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice.
7You love justice and hate evil. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.
8Myrrh, aloes, and cassia perfume your robes. In ivory palaces the music of strings entertains you.
9Kings’ daughters are among your noble women. At your right side stands the queen, wearing jewelry of finest gold from Ophir!
10Listen to me, O royal daughter; take to heart what I say. Forget your people and your family far away.
11For your royal husband delights in your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.
12The princess of Tyre will shower you with gifts. The wealthy will beg your favor.
13The bride, a princess, looks glorious in her golden gown.
14In her beautiful robes, she is led to the king, accompanied by her bridesmaids.
15What a joyful and enthusiastic procession as they enter the king’s palace!
16Your sons will become kings like their father. You will make them rulers over many lands.
17I will bring honor to your name in every generation. Therefore, the nations will praise you forever and ever.
Chapter 46
1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. 2So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.
4A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High.
5God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it.
6The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts!
8Come, see the glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world.
9He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
Chapter 47
1Come, everyone! Clap your hands! Shout to God with joyful praise! 2For the Lord Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth. 3He subdues the nations before us, putting our enemies beneath our feet.
5God has ascended with a mighty shout. The Lord has ascended with trumpets blaring.
6Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises!
7For God is the King over all the earth. Praise him with a psalm.
8God reigns above the nations, sitting on his holy throne.
9The rulers of the world have gathered together with the people of the God of Abraham. For all the kings of the earth belong to God. He is highly honored everywhere.
Chapter 48
1How great is the Lord, how deserving of praise, in the city of our God, which sits on his holy mountain! 2It is high and magnificent; the whole earth rejoices to see it! Mount Zion, the holy mountain, is the city of the great King! 3God himself is in Jerusalem’s towers, revealing himself as its defender.
4The kings of the earth joined forces and advanced against the city.
5But when they saw it, they were stunned; they were terrified and ran away.
6They were gripped with terror and writhed in pain like a woman in labor.
7You destroyed them like the mighty ships of Tarshish shattered by a powerful east wind.
9O God, we meditate on your unfailing love as we worship in your Temple.
10As your name deserves, O God, you will be praised to the ends of the earth. Your strong right hand is filled with victory.
11Let the people on Mount Zion rejoice. Let all the towns of Judah be glad because of your justice.
12Go, inspect the city of Jerusalem. Walk around and count the many towers.
13Take note of the fortified walls, and tour all the citadels, that you may describe them to future generations.
14For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and he will guide us until we die.
Chapter 49
1Listen to this, all you people! Pay attention, everyone in the world! 2High and low, rich and poor — listen! 3For my words are wise, and my thoughts are filled with insight. 4I listen carefully to many proverbs and solve riddles with inspiration from a harp.
5Why should I fear when trouble comes, when enemies surround me?
6They trust in their wealth and boast of great riches.
7Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death by paying a ransom to God.
8Redemption does not come so easily, for no one can ever pay enough
9to live forever and never see the grave.
10Those who are wise must finally die, just like the foolish and senseless, leaving all their wealth behind.
11The grave is their eternal home, where they will stay forever. They may name their estates after themselves,
12but their fame will not last. They will die, just like animals.
16So don’t be dismayed when the wicked grow rich and their homes become ever more splendid.
17For when they die, they take nothing with them. Their wealth will not follow them into the grave.
18In this life they consider themselves fortunate and are applauded for their success.
19But they will die like all before them and never again see the light of day.
20People who boast of their wealth don’t understand; they will die, just like animals.
Chapter 50
1The Lord, the Mighty One, is God, and he has spoken; he has summoned all humanity from where the sun rises to where it sets. 2From Mount Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines in glorious radiance. 3Our God approaches, and he is not silent. Fire devours everything in his way, and a great storm rages around him. 4He calls on the heavens above and earth below to witness the judgment of his people. 5'Bring my faithful people to me — those who made a covenant with me by giving sacrifices.'
7'O my people, listen as I speak. Here are my charges against you, O Israel: I am God, your God!
8I have no complaint about your sacrifices or the burnt offerings you constantly offer.
9But I do not need the bulls from your barns or the goats from your pens.
10For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills.
11I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine.
12If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for all the world is mine and everything in it.
13Do I eat the meat of bulls? Do I drink the blood of goats?
14Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High.
15Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.'
16But God says to the wicked: 'Why bother reciting my decrees and pretending to obey my covenant?
17For you refuse my discipline and treat my words like trash.
18When you see thieves, you approve of them, and you spend your time with adulterers.
19Your mouth is filled with wickedness, and your tongue is full of lies.
20You sit around and slander your brother — your own mother’s son.
21While you did all this, I remained silent, and you thought I didn’t care. But now I will rebuke you, listing all my charges against you.
22Repent, all of you who forget me, or I will tear you apart, and no one will help you.
23But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.'
English Standard Version
Chapter 45
1My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe. 2You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever. 3 Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendor and majesty! 4In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let your right hand teach you awesome deeds! 5Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king 's enemies; the peoples fall under you. 6 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; 7 you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions; 8your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad; 9daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor; at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir. 10Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear: forget your people and your father 's house, 11and the king will desire your beauty. Since he is your lord, bow to him. 12The people of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts, the richest of the people. 13All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold. 14 In many-colored robes she is led to the king, with her virgin companions following behind her. 15With joy and gladness they are led along as they enter the palace of the king. 16In place of your fathers shall be your sons; you will make them princes in all the earth. 17 I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore nations will praise you forever and ever.Chapter 46
1God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah 4There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. 6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. 10 "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. SelahChapter 47
1 Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! 2For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth. 3He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet. 4He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah 5God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. 6Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! 7For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm! 8God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne. 9 The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is highly exalted!Chapter 48
1 Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain, 2 beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King. 3Within her citadels God has made himself known as a fortress. 4For behold, the kings assembled; they came on together. 5As soon as they saw it, they were astounded; they were in panic; they took to flight. 6 Trembling took hold of them there, anguish as of a woman in labor. 7By the east wind you shattered the ships of Tarshish. 8As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God, which God will establish forever. Selah 9We have thought on your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple. 10As your name, O God, so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is filled with righteousness. 11Let Mount Zion be glad! Let the daughters of Judah rejoice because of your judgments! 12Walk about Zion, go around her, number her towers, 13consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation 14that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever.Chapter 49
1 Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, 2 both low and high, rich and poor together! 3My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. 4I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre. 5 Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, 6those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? 7Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, 8for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, 9that he should live on forever and never see the pit. 10For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others. 11Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names. 12Man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish. 13This is the path of those who have foolish confidence; yet after them people approve of their boasts. Selah 14Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; death shall be their shepherd, and the upright shall rule over them in the morning. Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell. 15But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah 16Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. 17 For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him. 18For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed — and though you get praise when you do well for yourself — 19his soul will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never again see light. 20 Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish.Chapter 50
1 The Mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. 2Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. 3Our God comes; he does not keep silence; before him is a devouring fire, around him a mighty tempest. 4 He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that he may judge his people: 5"Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!" 6 The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge! Selah 7 "Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, I will testify against you. I am God, your God. 8Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; your burnt offerings are continually before me. 9I will not accept a bull from your house or goats from your folds. 10For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. 11 I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. 12"If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine. 13Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? 14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, 15and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me." 16But to the wicked God says: "What right have you to recite my statutes or take my covenant on your lips? 17 For you hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you. 18If you see a thief, you are pleased with him, and you keep company with adulterers. 19"You give your mouth free rein for evil, and your tongue frames deceit. 20You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother 's son. 21These things you have done, and I have been silent; you thought that I was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you. 22"Mark this, then, you who forget God, lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver! 23The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!"New International Version
2You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever.
3Gird your sword on your side, you mighty one; clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.
4In your majesty ride forth victoriously in the cause of truth, humility and justice; let your right hand achieve awesome deeds.
5Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies; let the nations fall beneath your feet.
6Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
7You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.
8All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces adorned with ivory the music of the strings makes you glad.
9Daughters of kings are among your honored women; at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir.
10Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention: Forget your people and your father’s house.
11Let the king be enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.
12The city of Tyre will come with a gift, people of wealth will seek your favor.
13All glorious is the princess within her chamber; her gown is interwoven with gold.
14In embroidered garments she is led to the king; her virgin companions follow her— those brought to be with her.
16Your sons will take the place of your fathers; you will make them princes throughout the land.
17I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.
Chapter 46
1For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
4There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.
7The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
10He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
11The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Chapter 47
1For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. 2For the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth. 3He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet.
4He chose our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom he loved.
5God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets.
6Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.
7For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise.
8God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.
9The nobles of the nations assemble as the people of the God of Abraham, for the kings of the earth belong to God; he is greatly exalted.
Chapter 48
1A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah. Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain. 2Beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth, like the heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King.
3God is in her citadels; he has shown himself to be her fortress.
4When the kings joined forces, when they advanced together,
5they saw her and were astounded; they fled in terror.
6Trembling seized them there, pain like that of a woman in labor.
8As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of the Lord Almighty, in the city of our God: God makes her secure forever.
9Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.
10Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness.
11Mount Zion rejoices, the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments.
12Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towers,
13consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation.
14For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.
Chapter 49
1For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world, 2both low and high, rich and poor alike: 3My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the meditation of my heart will give you understanding.
4I will turn my ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle:
5Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me—
6those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches?
7No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them—
8the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough—
9so that they should live on forever and not see decay.
10For all can see that the wise die, that the foolish and the senseless also perish, leaving their wealth to others.
12People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish.
13This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings.
14They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd (but the upright will prevail over them in the morning). Their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions.
15But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself.
16Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases;
17for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them.
18Though while they live they count themselves blessed— and people praise you when you prosper—
19they will join those who have gone before them, who will never again see the light of life.
20People who have wealth but lack understanding are like the beasts that perish.
Chapter 50
1A psalm of Asaph. The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to where it sets. 2From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth. 3Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages. 4He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people: 5"Gather to me this consecrated people, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice."
6And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for he is a God of justice.
7"Listen, my people, and I will speak; I will testify against you, Israel: I am God, your God.
8I bring no charges against you concerning your sacrifices or concerning your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.
9I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens,
10for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.
11I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine.
12If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.
13Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?
14"Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High,
15and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me."
16But to the wicked person, God says: "What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips?
17You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you.
18When you see a thief, you join with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers.
19You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit.
20You sit and testify against your brother and slander your own mother’s son.
21When you did these things and I kept silent, you thought I was exactly like you. But I now arraign you and set my accusations before you.
22"Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:
23Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless I will show my salvation."
New King James Version
Chapter 45
1{To the Chief Musician. Set to “The Lilies.” A Contemplation of the sons of Korah. A Song of Love.} My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. 2You are fairer than the sons of men; Grace is poured upon Your lips; Therefore God has blessed You forever. 3Gird Your sword upon Your thigh, O Mighty One, With Your glory and Your majesty. 4 And in Your majesty ride prosperously because of truth, humility, and righteousness; And Your right hand shall teach You awesome things. 5Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the King’s enemies; The peoples fall under You. 6 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. 7You love righteousness and hate wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions. 8All Your garments are scented with myrrh and aloes and cassia, Out of the ivory palaces, by which they have made You glad. 9 Kings’ daughters are among Your honorable women; At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir. 10Listen, O daughter, Consider and incline your ear; Forget your own people also, and your father’s house; 11So the King will greatly desire your beauty; Because He is your Lord, worship Him. 12And the daughter of Tyre will come with a gift; The rich among the people will seek your favor. 13The royal daughter is all glorious within the palace; Her clothing is woven with gold. 14 She shall be brought to the King in robes of many colors; The virgins, her companions who follow her, shall be brought to You. 15With gladness and rejoicing they shall be brought; They shall enter the King’s palace. 16Instead of Your fathers shall be Your sons, Whom You shall make princes in all the earth. 17 I will make Your name to be remembered in all generations; Therefore the people shall praise You forever and ever.Chapter 46
1{To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A Song for Alamoth.} God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
5God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
8Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire.
10Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
Chapter 47
1{To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.} Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! 2For the Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth. 3 He will subdue the peoples under us, And the nations under our feet.
5 God has gone up with a shout, The Lord with the sound of a trumpet.
6Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
7 For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding.
8 God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.
9The princes of the people have gathered together, The people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; He is greatly exalted.
Chapter 48
1{A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.} Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised In the city of our God, In His holy mountain. 2 Beautiful in elevation, The joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, The city of the great King. 3God is in her palaces; He is known as her refuge. 4For behold, the kings assembled, They passed by together. 5They saw it, and so they marveled; They were troubled, they hastened away. 6Fear took hold of them there, And pain, as of a woman in birth pangs, 7 As when You break the ships of Tarshish With an east wind.
9We have thought, O God, on Your lovingkindness, In the midst of Your temple.
10According to Your name, O God, So is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness.
11Let Mount Zion rejoice, Let the daughters of Judah be glad, Because of Your judgments.
12Walk about Zion, And go all around her. Count her towers;
13Mark well her bulwarks; Consider her palaces; That you may tell it to the generation following.
14For this is God, Our God forever and ever; He will be our guide Even to death.
Chapter 49
1{To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.} Hear this, all peoples; Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, 2Both low and high, Rich and poor together. 3My mouth shall speak wisdom, And the meditation of my heart shall give understanding. 4I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will disclose my dark saying on the harp. 5Why should I fear in the days of evil, When the iniquity at my heels surrounds me? 6Those who trust in their wealth And boast in the multitude of their riches, 7None of them can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him— 8For the redemption of their souls is costly, And it shall cease forever— 9That he should continue to live eternally, And not see the Pit. 10For he sees wise men die; Likewise the fool and the senseless person perish, And leave their wealth to others. 11Their inner thought is that their houses will last forever, Their dwelling places to all generations; They call their lands after their own names. 12Nevertheless man, though in honor, does not remain; He is like the beasts that perish.
16Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, When the glory of his house is increased;
17For when he dies he shall carry nothing away; His glory shall not descend after him.
18Though while he lives he blesses himself (For men will praise you when you do well for yourself),
19He shall go to the generation of his fathers; They shall never see light.
20A man who is in honor, yet does not understand, Is like the beasts that perish.
Chapter 50
1{A Psalm of Asaph.} The Mighty One, God the Lord, Has spoken and called the earth From the rising of the sun to its going down. 2Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God will shine forth. 3Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; A fire shall devour before Him, And it shall be very tempestuous all around Him. 4 He shall call to the heavens from above, And to the earth, that He may judge His people: 5“Gather My saints together to Me, Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.”
7“Hear, O My people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you; I am God, your God!
8 I will not rebuke you for your sacrifices Or your burnt offerings, Which are continually before Me.
9 I will not take a bull from your house, Nor goats out of your folds.
10For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle on a thousand hills.
11I know all the birds of the mountains, And the wild beasts of the field are Mine.
12“If I were hungry, I would not tell you; For the world is Mine, and all its fullness.
13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls, Or drink the blood of goats?
14 Offer to God thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High.
15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”
16But to the wicked God says: “What right have you to declare My statutes, Or take My covenant in your mouth,
17 Seeing you hate instruction And cast My words behind you?
18When you saw a thief, you consented with him, And have been a partaker with adulterers.
19You give your mouth to evil, And your tongue frames deceit.
20You sit and speak against your brother; You slander your own mother’s son.
21These things you have done, and I kept silent; You thought that I was altogether like you; But I will rebuke you, And set them in order before your eyes.
22“Now consider this, you who forget God, Lest I tear you in pieces, And there be none to deliver:
23Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.”
