THE BOOK OF PSALMS

Psalms 82-85

A Psalm of Asaph.

1 ¶ God presides in the divine assembly; he judges among the gods.

2 How long will you judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.

3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the needy and oppressed.

4 Deliver the weak and the needy: save them from the hand of the wicked.

5 They do not know, nor will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of kilter.

6 ¶ I have said, You are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.

7 But you will die like men, and fall like one of the princes.

8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for you will inherit all nations.

Psalm 83

A Song or Psalm of Asaph.

1 ¶ Do not keep silent, O God: do not hold your peace, and fail to act, O God.

2 For your enemies are raging: and those who hate you have lifted up their heads.

3 They discuss shrewd plots against your people, and plan against those you treasure.

4 They have said, Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation; so that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.

5 For they have all agreed on their plan: they are in league against you:

6 The tents of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;

7 Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;

8 Assyria has also joined with them: they lend support to the children of Lot. Selah.

9 ¶ Do to them what you did to the Midianites; to Sisera, and Jabin, at the brook Kishon:

10 Who perished at Endor: they became like dung for the earth.

11 Make their noblemen like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their leaders like Zebah, and like Zalmunna:

12 Who said, Let us take possession of the pastures of God for ourselves.

13 O my God, make them like tumbling brush; like straw before the wind.

14 As the fire consumes a forest, and as the flame sets the mountains ablaze;

15 So pursue them with your tempest, and terrify them with your storm.

16 Let their faces blush with shame; so that they will seek your name, O LORD.

17 Let them be ashamed and terrified forever; yea, let them die in disgrace:

18 So that men will know that you alone, whose name is JAHWEH, are the most high over all the earth.

Psalm 84

To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.

1 ¶ How pleasant is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!

2 My soul longs, yea, even faints for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh cries out for the living God.

3 Yea, the sparrow has found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.

4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house: who praise you continually. Selah.

5 Blessed is the man whose refuge is in you; whose heart is set on pilgrimage.

6 Passing through the valley of weeping they make it a place of springs; the rain also fills its pools.

7 They go from city to city, till each appears before God in Zion.

8 ¶ O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.

9 Look at our ruler, O God, and see the face of your anointed.

10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than live in the tents of wickedness.

11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD bestows grace and honor: he will not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly.

12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in you.

Psalm 85

To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.

1 ¶ LORD, you have been favorable to your land: you have brought back Jacob from captivity.

2 You have forgiven the iniquity of your people, you have covered all their sins. Selah.

3 You have withdrawn your wrath: you have turned from the fierceness of your anger.

4 Restore us, O God our savior, and cause your anger toward us to cease.

5 Will you be angry with us forever? will you pour out your anger to all generations?

6 Will you not revive us again: so that your people may rejoice in you?

7 Show us your mercy, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.

8 ¶ I want to hear what God the LORD will say: for he has promised peace to his people, who trust in him: but let them never turn back to folly.

9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.

10 Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

11 Truth will spring out of the earth; and righteousness will look down from heaven.

12 Yea, the LORD will give that which is good; and our land will yield her increase.

13 Righteousness will go before him; to prepare the way for his steps.