Nehemiah Rebuilds the Walls of Jerusalem

Nehemiah Rebuilds the Walls of Jerusalem
Neh. 2:19 to 13:31; Malachi 1-4


Nehemiah supervises the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.


NEWS OF NEHEMIAH'S talk with the rulers and the priests spread rapidly among the Jews living in Jerusalem. And they rejoiced because God had sent this nobleman from the palace in Shushan to help them rebuild their city. The great work began at once, and nearly everybody seemed interested. Of course there were some who stood back to find fault; but they could not crush the zeal of the busy workers. Even the women wished to help in the building, and some of the rich women hired workers to build a part of the wall.
The high priest said he would rebuild the Sheep Gate. There were several other gates to rebuild, and soon there were several other persons promising to rebuild them.
So the Sheep Gate, and the Horse Gate, and the Fish Gate, and the Valley Gate, and the Water Gate, and every other gate of the broken-down wall was soon rising up in the same place where Nebuchadnezzar had burned the former gates many years before.
And some promised to repair the wall in front of their homes, while others promised to repair longer stretches. But before this work could be done, the people set to work clearing away the rubbish and gathering out the great stones. What a busy crowd of workers they were! Nehemiah rode around the walls on his horse and directed in the building.
When Sanballat and Tobiah, two enemies who lived near Jerusalem, heard that was taking place, they were very angry. They did not wish to see this great city rebuilt, for they feared that the Jews would no longer allow them to come into Jerusalem and oppress the people who lived there.
So they planned many ways to hinder the building of the wall. First they made fun of the Jews, and pretended that the wall was not strong enough to offer protection in times of danger.
They said, "If a fox should try to walk on the wall it would tumble down in ruins again."
But Nehemiah and his workers paid no attention to the jokes and jeers of their enemies. They kept right on with their great work, and would not stop to answer back.
Finally Sanballat and Tobiah saw they must do something else to hinder the work, so they wrote letters to Nehemiah, saying, "You have come to rebuild Jerusalem and set yourself up as a king over the city. Then you plan to rebel against the king of Persia."
But Nehemiah answered, "I have not come for such a purpose," and he kept on with the building.
Now the enemies were angry, and they planned to come and fight against the men of Jerusalem, and kill them. But Nehemiah heard about their plan, and he armed the men with swords and spears on every part of the wall. Some worked with one hand while they held a spear in the other hand. And all the while, both day and night, guards stood about to watch for the approach of the enemy.
At last the walls were built, but the doors of the gates were not yet set up. The enemies had been afraid to come and fight, for they had heard that Nehemiah and his workers were armed with swords and spears, so they planned to act friendly and call Nehemiah away from Jerusalem, on a business trip, to one of their cities.
Then perhaps they intended to kill him there. But Nehemiah would not go, for he said, "I am doing a great work, and I can not leave it to come down to your city."
After fifty-two days, or nearly two months, the entire wall was finished. And the people of Jerusalem were very thankful that Nehemiah had come to encourage them and to build up the broken wall of their ruined city. They saw he was interested in them, and soon they came to tell him about other things that troubled them. They explained why they were so poor and so discouraged.
Nehemiah listened to their words, and then he called the rulers and told them what the poor people had said. The rulers were ashamed because they had never tried to help these people. Now they promised Nehemiah that they would do better.
For twelve years Nehemiah stayed in Jerusalem and acted as governor of the city. Then he knew that Artaxerxes, the King, would be expecting him back in Shushan; for he had promised to return at that time.
So he appointed his brother Hanani and another man to rule the city while he should be absent, and then he hurried back to see the King. Artaxerxes permitted him to return the second time to Jerusalem, and Nehemiah's work on this second visit was more the work of restoring the customs that God had commanded by Moses for the people to obey.
Because of the faithful efforts of men like Nehemiah and Ezra, the priest, the Jews began to pay more heed to the teachings of God's law. They began to act more like a separate people, uninfluenced by their heathen neighbors, and they refused to worship idols any longer.
By and by other teachers rose among them, and these teachers wrote law-books, which they called "traditions." These teaching were very strict; but God was not pleased with them, for he had not commanded that they should be written and obeyed.
Malachi, the last of the prophets, came to speak God's words to the people while Nehemiah yet lived. This faithful prophet told the Jews about the coming of Jesus, the Savior, into the world, and he wrote his words in a book.
The Jews kept his book with the other books that Ezra, the priest, had given to them. And Malachi's writings are the last words we find in the Old testament.
Tomorrow: An Angel Visits Zacharias

The Land of Jerusalem

Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, was situated in the very heart of Judea, in the territory allotted to the tribe of Benjamin.

According to the earliest Jewish traditions Jerusalem is directly identified with the ancient Salem that the biblical Melchizedek, king of righteousness, dwelt in and the whom Abraham paid his tithe to (Gen 14; Heb 7).



The Jebusites

During the time of Joshua the city of Jerusalem was named Jebus or Jebusi, and a Canaanite people called the Jebusites dwelt there. Though Joshua had conquered the land there, he never fully drove out the Jebusites, and David had to actually take possession of the stronghold of Zion. Apparently there were some Jebusites who were still living in this area during the time of David, because we find David actually purchasing the ground on which the Temple would be built from Araunah the Jebusite.

Mount Moriah

The Lord had appeared to David at the threshing floor of the Jebusite and this is the exact spot where David instructed his son Solomon to build the house of the Lord, at Mount Moriah. This was also the place in Hebrew history were Abraham bound his son Isaac upon an altar in order to sacrifice him according to the word of the Lord, but an angel of the Lord held back his hand when he drew the knife, for this was only a test of Abraham's obedience and a wonderful picture of God's plan of redemption with the sacrificing of His own Son, the Jewish Messiah Jesus Christ.

Today in 2003 Mount Moriah, the top of the Temple hill, is where the Mosque of Omar, more correctly, the Dome of the Rock, now stands. The Arabs call it the Sakhrah Rock. It is a strangely shaped mass of rock, protruding 10 feet above the ground, and is about 50 feet in diameter. It is believed to be the actual site of the altar of burnt offering in Solomon's Temple. Jews, Christians, and Muslims, according to tradition have regarded it as "the stone of foundation," the Foundation Rock of which the Jews claim that it was the precise site of the Holy of Holies of Solomon's Temple and the place where God’s Schekinah glory appeared between the Cherubim, above the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat.

Geography

The city of Jerusalem rests on a limestone plateau 2500 feet above sea level. It is located in the central hill country, and is near the border of the Judean desert. It is far removed from any major trade routes. On the west side of Jerusalem are the Judean mountains, on the east side is the Judean desert which descends 4000 feet in 10 miles at the Dead Sea. The rugged terrain of Jerusalem was a definite military advantage, it was easy to defend because the city can only be reached on its northern side. The east, west, and southern sides had steep valleys.

Jerusalem’s Four Hills

Ps 87:1 "His foundation is in the holy mountains."

jerusalem-topography.jpg

Jerusalem rests upon four hills or mountains, but only two of them have biblical names, Mount Zion and Mount Moriah. Between these mountains there is a large valley that the Romans called the Tyropoean. Mount Zion was referred to geographically as the southwestern hill of Jerusalem. But Zion has much greater significance in the Bible and it is frequently mentioned as the place of the Temple and of the King. When David said that he would not rest until he "has found out a place for the Lord, a habitation for the mighty God of Jacob," the Lord replied with this Scripture:

Ps 132:13-14 "For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place: "This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it."

The hill on the north was called Bezetha, Or the New City. The hill on the east was called the Akra, or Fortress, the according to tradition this was the "stronghold of Zion."

Mount Zion is the largest of the hills in Jerusalem, it stands 2,550 feet high. Mount Zion is mentioned throughout the Old Testament but only once in the New Testament (Revelation 14:1). Mount Zion is located on the southwest side of Jerusalem between the Tyropoeon Valley and the Hinnom Valley and this is the location of the Upper City where the wealthy lived during the time of Jesus. This is also the hill where the Jebusites built a stronghold but were eventually conquered by David. David built palace here on Mount Zion it became the palace and home for the kings of Israel. David and most of his successors (14) were buried on Mount Zion (1 Kings 2:10; 9:43; 14:31).

Mount Moriah is located to the northeast of Mount Zion, in the southeast side of Jerusalem between the Kidron Valley and Tyropoeon Valley. It is 2440 feet high. The Bible sometimes calls Mount Moriah by the name of Zion as well. King Solomon increased the size of Mount Moriah who built a high platform and wall on three sides (east, south, and west) and this formed an extremely high summit on the southeast corner. This summit is where the Temple was built, the highest point was the location of the Holy of Holies, the same spot where Abraham was tested to offer his son Isaac (Gen. 22:2). The southern slope of Mount Moriah, extending from the southern wall down to the point where the three valleys meet, was called Ophel (Neh. 3:26, 27).

Mount Acra is located in Jerusalem on the north side of Mount Zion between the Tyropoeon Valley and the Hinnom Valley. it is interesting that Simon Maccabeus nearly filled up the Tyropoeon Valley which is located between Mount Bezetha and Mount Acra. He also reduced the height of Mount Acra in order to make it lower than Mount Moriah where the Temple stood. Antiochus Epiphanes, ruler of the Seleucid Empire built a fortress in Jerusalem on Mount Acra after he conquered the city in 168 BC. It was here that the Syrians governed the Jews. Later this fortified compound was destroyed by Simon Maccabeus. Mount Acra was important in the Maccabean Revolt and the formation of the Hasmonean Kingdom.

Mount Bezetha is located in Jerusalem west of Acra and in the first century it was north of the Antonia fortress. Mount Bezetha was not included in the city of Jerusalem until the first century after the third wall was built, and therefore received the name "New City."

Mount Calvary (Golgotha) was located near the Damascus Gate on the north side of the city. According to Catholic tradition Jesus was crucified at the site now called the Church of the Holy Sepulchre but recent investigations have confirmed the former view.

The Mount of Olives is located east of the Temple Mount just across the Kidron Valley. On the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives was the village of Bethany, the home of Mary and Martha and Lazarus. From here at the Mount of Olives Jesus looked over the beautiful city and wept because of Jerusalem's rebellious leaders. Overlooking the Temple on the Mount of Olives was the garden of Gethsemane, where Christ suffered his agony, betrayal and arrest. In the center of the mount the so-called Church of Ascension stands at about 2,682 feet high where it is traditionally taught that Christ ascended from here into heaven.

The Hill of Evil Counsel is located on the south side of Mount Zion on the other side of the Valley of Hinnom. This hill is the traditional place of Aceldama, the Field of Blood (Acts 1 :19).

Jerusalem’s Deep Valley’s

Jerusalem was surrounded on the west, south, and east by deep ravines the which are 200-400 feet deep and therefore made it impossible for an enemy to attack from either these directions. Therefore Herod's Jerusalem was considered unapproachable, except from the north side which was actually protected by the outermost wall which was over 100 feet high and had 90 towers according to Josephus.

The deep valley on the west and the southwest side of the city was called the valley of Hinnom (the abhorred place).

The deep valley on the east side of the city was called the valley of the Kidron, or Jehoshaphat, where the prophet Joel saw a futuristic vision where the nations of the world would be summoned for judgment. The place where these ravines met was called "Enrogel" or The Well of Joab (2 Sam 17:17).

These deep valley’s made the inhabitant’s of Jerusalem to feel safe and secure, as though God Himself were protecting it. It was so secure from an enemy attack that Titus, the Roman General who conquered Jerusalem in 70 A.D. said that "if it had not been for the internal dissensions, the city could never have been taken."

The Kidron Valley also called the Valley of Jehoshaphat formed the eastern boundary of the city of Jerusalem and a separation of Mount Zion from the Mount of Olives. The Bible also refers to the Kidron Valley as the King's Dale (2 Sam. 18:18).

The Tyropoean Valley also called the Valley of the Cheese Makers, joins the Kidron Valley on the south side of Mount Moriah and runs to the north between Mount Zion and Mount Moriah. The Tyropoean Valley separates at the north part causing a fork and Mount Acra is located between the forks.

The Hinnom Valley created a western and southern boundary for the city of Jerusalem. The southern part of the Valley of Hinnom was called Gehenna or Tophet, "the place of fire" (Jeremiah 7:31). It was here is in the Valley of Hinnom that Moloch was worshipped and therefore later became a garbage heap during the first century AD.


Jerusalem’s Surrounding Mountains

Beyond the valleys of Jerusalem were the mountains round about. The most famous mountain was the Mount of Olives which stood about 300 feet higher than the Temple Mount and over 100 feet higher than any part of the city. On the north side of the city stood the awesome Mizpeh of Benjamin. There was also Gibeon and Ramah and the ridge near Bethlehem in the distant east.

On the night when Jerusalem was captured by the Roman armies, it is told that the mountains "echoed back" the screams of the people who were being slaughtered and also the victorious shouts of the soldiers of Titus.

The Walls of Jerusalem

Jerusalem was also surrounded by massive walls.

Ps 51:18 "Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem."

David’s prayer was answered when his son Solomon build the wall of Jerusalem around the city, and repaired the breaches of the city of David. He also built the Millo (rampart), a fortification which apparently existed when it was inhabited by the Jebusites as with King Hezekiah:

2 Chron 32:4-5 "And he strengthened himself, built up all the wall that was broken, raised it up to the towers, and built another wall outside; also he repaired the Millo in the City of David, and made weapons and shields in abundance."

King Manasseh, after he repented built a wall around the city of David, on the west side of Gihon:

2 Chron 33:13-15 "Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God. After this he built a wall outside the City of David on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, as far as the entrance of the Fish Gate; and it enclosed Ophel, and he raised it to a very great height. Then he put military captains in all the fortified cities of Judah.

Also Nehemiah, after the Babylonian captivity, brought helpers including "Shallum and his daughters," and repaired the broken down walls of Jerusalem by "putting their necks to the work of the Lord."

By the time of Jesus, according to Josephus, there were three walls that surrounded Jerusalem, "90 towers stood in the first wall, 14 in the second, and 60 in the third." The third wall was built by Herod Agrippa I.

Click around the map to learn more about the walls, the towers, and fortifications.

The Gates of Jerusalem

The Gates of Jerusalem were also greater number. The Book of Nehemiah mentions the names of about 20 Gates. There was the Sheep-gate, the Fish-Gate, the Water-Gate, and the Dung-gate for Potters-gate which led to the potters field "Aceldama" the field of blood where Judas hung himself.

Easton's Bible Dictionary - Jerusalem

JERUSALEM
Called also Salem, Ariel, Jebus, the "city of God," the "holy city;" by the modern Arabs el-Khuds, meaning "the holy;" once "the city of Judah" (2 Chronicles 25:28). This name is in the original in the dual form, and means "possession of peace," or "foundation of peace." The dual form probably refers to the two mountains on which it was built, viz., Zion and Moriah; or, as some suppose, to the two parts of the city, the "upper" and the "lower city." Jerusalem is a "mountain city enthroned on a mountain fastness" (Compare Psalms 68:15,16; 87:1; 125:2; 76:1,2; 122:3). It stands on the edge of one of the highest table-lands in Palestine, and is surrounded on the south-eastern, the southern, and the western sides by deep and precipitous ravines.

It is first mentioned in Scripture under the name Salem (Genesis 14:18; Compare Psalms 76:2). When first mentioned under the name Jerusalem, Adonizedek was its king (Joshua 10:1). It is afterwards named among the cities of Benjamin (Judges 19:10; 1 Chronicles 11:4); but in the time of David it was divided between Benjamin and Judah. After the death of Joshua the city was taken and set on fire by the men of Judah (Judges 1:1-8); but the Jebusites were not wholly driven out of it. The city is not again mentioned till we are told that David brought the head of Goliath thither (1 Samuel 17:54). David afterwards led his forces against the Jebusites still residing within its walls, and drove them out, fixing his own dwelling on Zion, which he called "the city of David" (2 Samuel 5:5-9; 1 Chronicles 11:4-8). Here he built an altar to the Lord on the threshing-floor of Araunah the Jebusite (2 Samuel 24:15-25), and thither he brought up the ark of the covenant and placed it in the new tabernacle which he had prepared for it. Jerusalem now became the capital of the kingdom.

After the death of David, Solomon built the temple, a house for the name of the Lord, on Mount Moriah (B.C. 1010). He also greatly strengthened and adorned the city, and it became the great centre of all the civil and religious affairs of the nation (Deuteronomy 12:5; comp 12:14; 14:23; 16:11-16; Psalms 122).

After the disruption of the kingdom on the accession to the throne of Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, Jerusalem became the capital of the kingdom of the two tribes. It was subsequently often taken and retaken by the Egyptians, the Assyrians, and by the kings of Israel (2 Kings 14:13,14; 18:15,16; 23:33-35; 24:14; 2Chr 12:9; 26:9; 27:3,4; 29:3; 32:30; 33:11), till finally, for the abounding iniquities of the nation, after a siege of three years, it was taken and utterly destroyed, its walls razed to the ground, and its temple and palaces consumed by fire, by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon (2 Kings 25; 2Chr. 36; Jeremiah 39), B.C. 588. The desolation of the city and the land was completed by the retreat of the principal Jews into Egypt (Jeremiah 4044-44), and by the final carrying captive into Babylon of all that still remained in the land (52:3), so that it was left without an inhabitant (B.C. 582). Compare the predictions, Deuteronomy 28; Leviticus 26:14-39.

But the streets and walls of Jerusalem were again to be built, in troublous times (Daniel 9:16,19,25), after a captivity of seventy years. This restoration was begun B.C. 536, "in the first year of Cyrus" (Ezra 1:2,3,5-11). The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah contain the history of the re-building of the city and temple, and the restoration of the kingdom of the Jews, consisting of a portion of all the tribes. The kingdom thus constituted was for two centuries under the dominion of Persia, till B.C. 331; and thereafter, for about a century and a half, under the rulers of the Greek empire in Asia, till B.C. 167. For a century the Jews maintained their independence under native rulers, the Asmonean princes. At the close of this period they fell under the rule of Herod and of members of his family, but practically under Rome, till the time of the destruction of Jerusalem, A.D. 70. The city was then laid in ruins.

The modern Jerusalem by-and-by began to be built over the immense beds of rubbish resulting from the overthrow of the ancient city; and whilst it occupies certainly the same site, there are no evidences that even the lines of its streets are now what they were in the ancient city. Till A.D. 131 the Jews who still lingered about Jerusalem quietly submitted to the Roman sway. But in that year the emperor (Hadrian), in order to hold them in subjection, rebuilt and fortified the city. The Jews, however, took possession of it, having risen under the leadership of one Bar-Chohaba (i.e., "the son of the star") in revolt against the Romans. Some four years afterwards (A.D. 135), however, they were driven out of it with great slaughter, and the city was again destroyed; and over its ruins was built a Roman city called Aelia Capitolina, a name which it retained till it fell under the dominion of the Mohammedans, when it was called el-Khuds, i.e., "the holy."

In A.D. 326 Helena, mother of the emperor Constantine, made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem with the view of discovering the places mentioned in the life of our Lord. She caused a church to be built on what was then supposed to be the place of the nativity at Bethlehem. Constantine, animated by her example, searched for the holy sepulchre, and built over the supposed site a magnificent church, which was completed and dedicated A.D. 335. He relaxed the laws against the Jews till this time in force, and permitted them once a year to visit the city and wail over the desolation of "the holy and beautiful house."

In A.D. 614 the Persians, after defeating the Roman forces of the emperor Heraclius, took Jerusalem by storm, and retained it till A.D. 637, when it was taken by the Arabians under the Khalif Omar. It remained in their possession till it passed, in A.D. 960, under the dominion of the Fatimite khalifs of Egypt, and in A.D. 1073 under the Turcomans. In A.D. 1099 the crusader Godfrey of Bouillon took the city from the Moslems with great slaughter, and was elected king of Jerusalem. He converted the Mosque of Omar into a Christian cathedral. During the eighty-eight years which followed, many churches and convents were erected in the holy city. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was rebuilt during this period, and it alone remains to this day. In A.D. 1187 the sultan Saladin wrested the city from the Christians. From that time to the present day, with few intervals, Jerusalem has remained in the hands of the Moslems. It has, however, during that period been again and again taken and retaken, demolished in great part and rebuilt, no city in the world having passed through so many vicissitudes.

In the year 1850 the Greek and Latin monks residing in Jerusalem had a fierce dispute about the guardianship of what are called the "holy places." In this dispute the emperor Nicholas of Russia sided with the Greeks, and Louis Napoleon, the emperor of the French, with the Latins. This led the Turkish authorities to settle the question in a way unsatisfactory to Russia. Out of this there sprang the Crimean War, which was protracted and sanguinary, but which had important consequences in the way of breaking down the barriers of Turkish exclusiveness.

Modern Jerusalem "lies near the summit of a broad mountain-ridge, which extends without interruption from the plain of Esdraelon to a line drawn between the southern end of the Dead Sea and the southeastern corner of the Mediterranean." This high, uneven table-land is everywhere from 20 to 25 geographical miles in breadth. It was anciently known as the mountains of Ephraim and Judah.

"Jerusalem is a city of contrasts, and differs widely from Damascus, not merely because it is a stone town in mountains, whilst the latter is a mud city in a plain, but because while in Damascus Moslem religion and Oriental custom are unmixed with any foreign element, in Jerusalem every form of religion, every nationality of East and West, is represented at one time."

Jerusalem is first mentioned under that name in the Book of Joshua, and the Tell-el-Amarna collection of tablets includes six letters from its Amorite king to Egypt, recording the attack of the Abiri about B.C. 1480. The name is there spelt Uru-Salim ("city of peace"). Another monumental record in which the Holy City is named is that of Sennacherib's attack in B.C. 702. The "camp of the Assyrians" was still shown about A.D. 70, on the flat ground to the north-west, included in the new quarter of the city.

The city of David included both the upper city and Millo, and was surrounded by a wall built by David and Solomon, who appear to have restored the original Jebusite fortifications. The name Zion (or Sion) appears to have been, like Ariel ("the hearth of God"), a poetical term for Jerusalem, but in the Greek age was more specially used of the Temple hill. The priests' quarter grew up on Ophel, south of the Temple, where also was Solomon's Palace outside the original city of David. The walls of the city were extended by Jotham and Manasseh to include this suburb and the Temple (2 Chronicles 27:3; 33:14).

Jerusalem is now a town of some 50,000 inhabitants, with ancient mediaeval walls, partly on the old lines, but extending less far to the south. The traditional sites, as a rule, were first shown in the 4th and later centuries A.D., and have no authority. The results of excavation have, however, settled most of the disputed questions, the limits of the Temple area, and the course of the old walls having been traced.

Book of Psalm Chapter 132

Farther You are the potter, I am the clay



John 1

The Word Became Flesh

The Deity of Jesus Christ

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.  In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it
.

Colossians 1: 15

The Supremacy of the Son of God


15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.


Mark 15:33-38

The Death of Jesus


33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[a]

35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”

36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.

37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.


1 Peter 1:3

[ Praise to God for a Living Hope ] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 1:2-4 (in Context) 1 Peter 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations






Psalm 132

A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to worship the Lord.

1 Lord, remember David
    and all of the hard times he went through.
2 Lord, he took an oath.
    Mighty One of Jacob, he made a promise to you.
3 He said, “I won’t enter my house
    or go to bed.
4 I won’t let my eyes sleep.
    I won’t close my eyelids
5 until I find a place for the Lord.
    I want to build a house for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
6 Here are the words we heard in Ephrathah.
    We heard them again in the fields of Kiriath Jearim.
7 “Let us go to the Lord’s house.
    Let us worship at his feet.
8 Lord, rise up and come to your resting place.
    Come in together with the ark. It’s the sign of your power.
9 May your priests put on godliness as if it were their clothes.
    May your faithful people sing with joy.”
10 In honor of your servant David,
    don’t turn your back on your anointed king.
11 The Lord took an oath and made a promise to David.
    It is a firm promise that he will never break.
He said, “After you die,
    I will place one of your own sons on your throne.
12 If your sons keep my covenant
    and the laws I teach them,
then their sons will sit
    on your throne for ever and ever.”
13 The Lord has chosen Zion.
    That’s the place where he wants to live.
14 He has said, “This will be my resting place for ever and ever.
    Here I will sit on my throne, because that’s what I want.
15 I will greatly bless Zion with everything it needs.
    I will give plenty of food to the poor people living there.
16 I will put salvation on its priests as if it were their clothes.
    God’s faithful people will always sing with joy.
17 “Here in Jerusalem I will raise up a mighty king from the family of David.
    I will set up the lamp of David’s kingdom for my anointed king.
    Its flame will burn brightly forever.
18 I will put shame on his enemies as if it were their clothes.
    But the royal crown he wears will shine with glory.”

Book of Psalm Chapter 130

5   I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.


John 1

The Word Became Flesh

The Deity of Jesus Christ

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.  In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it
.

Colossians 1: 15

The Supremacy of the Son of God


15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.


Mark 15:33-38

The Death of Jesus


33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[a]

35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”

36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.

37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.


1 Peter 1:3

[ Praise to God for a Living Hope ] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 1:2-4 (in Context) 1 Peter 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations




Psalm 130

A song of ascents.

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
2     Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
    to my cry for mercy.
3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
    Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
    so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
    and in his word I put my hope.
6 I wait for the Lord
    more than watchmen wait for the morning,
    more than watchmen wait for the morning.
7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
    for with the Lord is unfailing love
    and with him is full redemption.
8 He himself will redeem Israel
    from all their sins.

Book of Psalm Chapter 129

Welcome to Psalm 129, I hope you enjoy reading this Psalm. But before we get right into Psalm 129 let us give homage to our Lord and savior Jesus Christ and after doing this we can read Book of Psalm .



8 May no one who passes by say to those who hate Zion, “May the blessing of the Lord be on you.
    We bless you in the name of the Lord.”



John 1

The Word Became Flesh

The Deity of Jesus Christ

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.  In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it
.

Colossians 1: 15

The Supremacy of the Son of God


15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.


Mark 15:33-38

The Death of Jesus


33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[a]

35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”

36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.

37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.


1 Peter 1:3

[ Praise to God for a Living Hope ] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 1:2-4 (in Context) 1 Peter 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations



Psalm 129

A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to worship the Lord.

1 Here is what Israel should say.
    Many times my enemies have beaten me down ever since I was a young nation.
2 Many times my enemies have beaten me down ever since I was a young nation,
    but they haven’t won the battle.
3 They have made deep wounds in my back.
    It looks like a field a farmer has plowed.
4 The Lord does what is right.
    Sinners had tied me up with ropes. But the Lord has set me free.
5 May all those who hate Zion
    be driven back in shame.
6 May they be like grass that grows on the roof of a house.
    It dries up before it can grow.
7 There isn’t enough of it to fill a person’s hand.
    There isn’t enough to tie up and carry away.
8 May no one who passes by say to those who hate Zion,
    “May the blessing of the Lord be on you.
    We bless you in the name of the Lord.”

Book of Psalm Chapter 128

Welcome to Psalm 128, I hope you enjoy reading this Psalm. But before we get right into Psalm 128 let us give homage to our Lord and savior Jesus Christ and after doing this we can read Book of Psalm .



2 Your work will give you what you need. Blessings and good things will come to you.



John 1

The Word Became Flesh

The Deity of Jesus Christ

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.  In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it
.

Colossians 1: 15

The Supremacy of the Son of God


15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.


Mark 15:33-38

The Death of Jesus


33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[a]

35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”

36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.

37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.


1 Peter 1:3

[ Praise to God for a Living Hope ] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 1:2-4 (in Context) 1 Peter 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations




New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
Psalm 128



1 Blessed are all those who have respect for the Lord.
    They live as he wants them to live.
2 Your work will give you what you need.
    Blessings and good things will come to you.
3 As a vine bears a lot of fruit,
    so your wife will have many children by you.
They will sit around your table
    like young olive trees.
4 Only a man who has respect for the Lord
    will be blessed like that.
5 May the Lord bless you from Zion.
    May you enjoy the good things that come to Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
6     May you live to see your grandchildren.
May Israel enjoy peace.

Book of Psalm Chapter 127

Welcome to Psalm 127, I hope you enjoy reading this Psalm. But before we get right into Psalm 127 let us give homage to our Lord and savior Jesus Christ and after doing this we can read Book of Psalm .


 1 If the Lord doesn't build a house, the work of its builders is useless.


John 1

The Word Became Flesh

The Deity of Jesus Christ

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.  In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it
.

Colossians 1: 15

The Supremacy of the Son of God


15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.


Mark 15:33-38

The Death of Jesus


33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[a]

35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”

36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.

37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.


1 Peter 1:3

[ Praise to God for a Living Hope ] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 1:2-4 (in Context) 1 Peter 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations




Psalm 127

A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to worship the Lord. A psalm of Solomon.

1 If the Lord doesn’t build a house,
    the work of its builders is useless.
If the Lord doesn’t watch over a city,
    it’s useless for those on guard duty to stand watch over it.
2 It’s useless for you to work from early morning
    until late at night
just to get food to eat.
    God provides for those he loves even while they sleep.
3 Children are a gift from the Lord.
    They are a reward from him.
4 Children who are born to people when they are young
    are like arrows in the hands of a soldier.
5 Blessed are those
    who have many children.
They won’t be put to shame
    when they go up against their enemies in court.

Book of Psalm Chapter 123

Welcome to Psalm 123, I hope you enjoy reading this Psalm. But before we get right into Psalm 123 let us give homage to our Lord and savior Jesus Christ and after doing this we can read Book of Psalm .


 1 I look up and pray to you. Your throne is in heaven


John 1

The Word Became Flesh

The Deity of Jesus Christ

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.  In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it
.

Colossians 1: 15

The Supremacy of the Son of God


15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.


Mark 15:33-38

The Death of Jesus


33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[a]

35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”

36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.

37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.


1 Peter 1:3

[ Praise to God for a Living Hope ] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 1:2-4 (in Context) 1 Peter 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

Psalm 123

A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to worship the Lord.

1 I look up and pray to you.
    Your throne is in heaven.
2 Slaves depend on their masters.
    Maids depend on the women they work for.
In the same way, we depend on the Lord our God.
    We wait for him to show us his favor.
3 Lord, show us your favor. Show us your favor,
    because people have made so much fun of us.
4 We have had to put up with a lot from those who are proud.
    They were always laughing at us.

Book of Psalm Chapter 122

Welcome to Psalm 122, I hope you enjoy reading this Psalm. But before we get right into Psalm 122 let us give homage to our Lord and savior Jesus Christ and after doing this we can read Book of Psalm .


 1  I was very glad when they said to me,  “Let us go up to the house of the Lord.”




John 1

The Word Became Flesh

The Deity of Jesus Christ


1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.  In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it
.

Colossians 1: 15

The Supremacy of the Son of God


15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.



1 Peter 1:3

[ Praise to God for a Living Hope ] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 1:2-4 (in Context) 1 Peter 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations



Mark 15:33-38

The Death of Jesus


33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[a]

35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”

36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.

37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.







Psalm 122

A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to worship the Lord. A psalm of David.

1 I was very glad when they said to me,
    “Let us go up to the house of the Lord.”
2 Jerusalem, our feet are standing
    inside your gates.
3 Jerusalem is built like a city
    where everything is close together.
4 The tribes of the Lord go there to praise his name.
    They do it in keeping with the law he gave to Israel.
5 The thrones of the family line of David are there.
    That’s where the people are judged.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Say,
    “May those who love you be secure.
7 May there be peace inside your walls.
    May your people be kept safe.”
8 I’m concerned for my family and friends.
    So I say to Jerusalem, “May you enjoy peace.”
9 I’m concerned about the house of the Lord our God.
    So I pray that things will go well with Jerusalem.

Book of Psalm Chapter 121

Welcome to Psalm 121, I hope you enjoy reading this Psalm. But before we get right into Psalm 121 let us give homage to our Lord and savior Jesus Christ and after doing this we can read Book of Psalm .


1 I look up to the hills. Where does my help come from?




John 1

The Word Became Flesh

The Deity of Jesus Christ
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.  In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it
.

Colossians 1: 15

The Supremacy of the Son of God


15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.



1 Peter 1:3

[ Praise to God for a Living Hope ] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 1:2-4 (in Context) 1 Peter 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations



Mark 15:33-38

The Death of Jesus


33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[a]

35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”

36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.

37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

Psalm 121
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
Psalm 121

A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to worship the Lord.

1 I look up to the hills.
    Where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord.
    He is the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He won’t let your foot slip.
    He who watches over you won’t get tired.
4 In fact, he who watches over Israel
    won’t get tired or go to sleep.
5 The Lord watches over you.
    The Lord is like a shade tree at your right hand.
6 The sun won’t harm you during the day.
    The moon won’t harm you during the night.
7 The Lord will keep you from every kind of harm.
    He will watch over your life.
8 The Lord will watch over your life no matter where you go,
    both now and forever.

Book of Psalm Chapter 120

Welcome to Psalm 120, I hope you enjoy reading this Psalm. But before we get right into Psalm 120 let us give homage to our Lord and savior Jesus Christ and after doing this we can read Book of Psalm .

1  I call out to the Lord when I’m in trouble, and he answers me.



John 1

The Word Became Flesh

The Deity of Jesus Christ
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.  In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it
.

Colossians 1: 15

The Supremacy of the Son of God


15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.



1 Peter 1:3

[ Praise to God for a Living Hope ] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 1:2-4 (in Context) 1 Peter 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations



Mark 15:33-38

The Death of Jesus


33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[a]

35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”

36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.

37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.




Psalm 120
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
Psalm 120

A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to worship the Lord.

1 I call out to the Lord when I’m in trouble,
    and he answers me.
2 Lord, save me from people whose lips tell lies.
    Save me from people whose tongues don’t tell the truth.
3 What will the Lord do to you, you lying tongue?
    And what more will he do?
4 He will punish you with the sharp arrows of a soldier.
    He will punish you with burning wood from a desert tree.
5 How terrible it is for me to live in the tents of the people of Meshech!
    How terrible to live in the tents of the people of Kedar!
6 I have lived too long
    among those who hate peace.
7 I want peace.
    But when I speak, they want war.

Book of Psalm Chapter 119

Welcome to Psalm 119, I hope you enjoy reading this Psalm. But before we get right into Psalm 119 let us give homage to our Lord and savior Jesus Christ and after doing this we can read Book of Psalm .
37 Turn my eyes away from things that are worthless.  Keep me alive as you have promised.




John 1

The Word Became Flesh

The Deity of Jesus Christ
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.  In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it
.

Colossians 1: 15

The Supremacy of the Son of God


15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.



1 Peter 1:3

[ Praise to God for a Living Hope ] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 1:2-4 (in Context) 1 Peter 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations



Mark 15:33-38

The Death of Jesus


33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[a]

35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”

36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.

37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.





Psalm 119

 Aleph

1 Blessed are those who live without blame.
    They live in keeping with the law of the Lord.
2 Blessed are those who obey his covenant laws.
    They trust in him with all their hearts.
3 They don’t do anything wrong.
    They live as he wants them to live.
4 You have given me rules
    that I must obey completely.
5 I hope I will always stand firm
    in following your orders.
6 Then I won’t be put to shame
    when I think about all of your commands.
7 I will praise you with an honest heart
    as I learn about how fair your decisions are.
8 I will obey your orders.
    Please don’t leave me all alone.
ב Beth

9 How can a young person keep his life pure?
    By living in keeping with your word.
10 I trust in you with all my heart.
    Don’t let me wander away from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
    so that I won’t sin against you.
12 Lord, I give praise to you.
    Teach me your orders.
13 With my lips I talk about
    all of the decisions you have made.
14 Following your covenant laws gives me joy
    just as great riches give joy to others.
15 I spend time thinking about your rules.
    I consider how you want me to live.
16 I take delight in your orders.
    I won’t fail to obey your word.

ג Gimel

17 Be good to me, and I will live.
    I will obey your word.
18 Open my eyes so that I can see
    the wonderful truths in your law.
19 I’m a stranger on earth.
    Don’t hide your commands from me.
20 My heart is filled with longing
    for your laws at all times.
21 You correct proud people. They are under your curse.
    They wander away from your commands.
22 I obey your covenant laws.
    So don’t let evil people laugh at me or hate me.
23 Even if rulers sit together and tell lies about me,
    I will spend time thinking about your orders.
24 Your covenant laws are my delight.
    They give me wise advice.
ד
Daleth

25 I lie in the dust. I’m about to die.
    Keep me alive as you have promised.
26 I told you how I’ve lived, and you gave me your answer.
    Teach me your orders.
27 Help me understand what your rules can teach me.
    Then I’ll spend time thinking about the miracles you have done.
28 My sadness has worn me out.
    Give me strength as you have promised.
29 Keep me from cheating and telling lies.
    Be kind and teach me your law.
30 I have chosen to be faithful to you.
    I put my trust in your laws.
31 Lord, I’m careful to obey your covenant laws.
    Don’t let me be put to shame.
32 I am quick to follow your commands,
    because you have set my heart free.

ה He

33 Lord, teach me to follow your orders.
    Then I will obey them to the very end.
34 Help me understand your law. Then I will follow it
    and obey it with all my heart.
35 Teach me to live as you command,
    because that makes me very happy.
36 Make me want to follow your covenant laws
    instead of wanting to gain things only for myself.
37 Turn my eyes away from things that are worthless.
    Keep me alive as you have promised.
38 Keep your promise to me.
    Then other people will have respect for you.
39 Please don’t let me be put to shame.
    Your laws are good.
40 I really want to follow your rules.
    Keep me alive, because you do what is right.
ו Waw

41 Lord, show me your faithful love.
    Save me as you have promised.
42 Then I will answer those who make fun of me,
    because I trust in your word.
43 Help me always to tell the truth about how faithful you are.
    I have put my hope in your laws.
44 I will always obey your law,
    for ever and ever.
45 I will lead a full and happy life,
    because I’ve tried to obey your rules.
46 I will talk about your covenant laws to kings.
    I will not be put to shame.
47 I take delight in obeying your commands
    because I love them.
48 I praise your commands, and I love them.
    I spend time thinking about your orders.

ז Zayin

49 Remember what you have said to me.
    You have given me hope.
50 Even when I suffer, I am comforted
    because you promised to keep me alive.
51 Proud people are always making fun of me.
    But I don’t turn away from your law.
52 Lord, I remember the laws you gave long ago.
    I find comfort in them.
53 I am very angry
    because evil people have turned away from your law.
54 No matter where I live,
    I sing about your orders.
55 Lord, during the night I remember who you are.
    That’s why I keep your law.
56 I have really done my best
    to obey your rules.

ח Heth

57 Lord, you are everything I need.
    I have promised to obey your words.
58 I have looked to you with all my heart.
    Be kind to me as you have promised.
59 I have thought about the way I live.
    And I have decided to follow your covenant laws.
60 I won’t waste any time.
    I will be quick to obey your commands.
61 Evil people may tie me up with ropes.
    But I won’t forget to obey your law.
62 At midnight I get up to give you thanks
    because your decisions are very fair.
63 I’m a friend to everyone who has respect for you.
    I’m a friend to everyone who follows your rules.
64 Lord, the earth is filled with your love.
    Teach me your orders.

ט Teth

65 Lord, be good to me
    as you have promised.
66 Increase my knowledge and give me good sense,
    because I believe in your commands.
67 Before I went through suffering, I went down the wrong path.
    But now I obey your word.
68 You are good, and what you do is good.
    Teach me your orders.
69 Proud people have spread lies about me and have taken away my good name.
    But I follow your rules with all my heart.
70 Their hearts are hard and stubborn. They don’t feel anything.
    But I take delight in your law.
71 It was good for me to suffer.
    That’s what helped me to understand your orders.
72 The law you gave is worth more to me
    than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
י Yodh

73 You made me and formed me with your own hands.
    Give me understanding so that I can learn your commands.
74 May those who have respect for you be filled with joy when they see me.
    I have put my hope in your word.
75 Lord, I know that your laws are right.
    You were faithful to your promise when you made me suffer.
76 May your faithful love comfort me
    as you have promised me.
77 Show me your tender love so that I can live.
    I take delight in your law.
78 Proud people have treated me badly without any reason. May they be put to shame.
    I will spend time thinking about your rules.
79 May those who have respect for you come to me.
    Then I can teach them your covenant laws.
80 May my heart be without blame as I follow your orders.
    Then I won’t be put to shame.

כ Kaph

81 I deeply long for you to save me.
    I have put my hope in your word.
82 My eyes grow tired looking for what you have promised.
    I say, “When will you comfort me?”
83 I’m as useless as a wineskin that smoke has dried up.
    But I don’t forget to follow your orders.
84 How long do I have to wait?
    When will you punish those who attack me?
85 Proud people do what is against your law.
    They dig pits for me to fall into.
86 All of your commands can be trusted.
    Help me, because people attack me without any reason.
87 They almost wiped me off the face of the earth.
    But I have not turned away from your rules.
88 Keep me alive, because you love me.
    Then I will obey the covenant laws you have given.

ל Lamedh

89 Lord, your word lasts forever.
    It stands firm in the heavens.
90 You will be faithful for all time to come.
    You made the earth, and it continues to exist.
91 Your laws continue to this very day,
    because all things serve you.
92 If I had not taken delight in your law,
    I would have died because of my suffering.
93 I will never forget your rules.
    You have kept me alive, because I obey them.
94 Save me, because I belong to you.
    I’ve tried to obey your rules.
95 Sinful people are waiting to destroy me.
    But I will spend time thinking about your covenant laws.
96 I’ve learned that everything has its limits.
    But your commands are perfect. They are always there when I need them.
מ Mem

97 Lord, I really love your law!
    All day long I spend time thinking about it.
98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
    because your commands are always in my heart.
99 I know more than all of my teachers do,
    because I spend time thinking about your covenant laws.
100 I understand more than the elders do,
    because I obey your rules.
101 I’ve kept my feet from every path that sinners take
    so that I might obey your word.
102 I haven’t turned away from your laws,
    because you yourself have taught me.
103 Your words are very sweet to my taste!
    They are sweeter than honey to me.
104 I gain understanding from your rules.
    So I hate every path that sinners take.

נ Nun

105 Your word is like a lamp that shows me the way.
    It is like a light that guides me.
106 I have taken an oath. I have promised
    to follow your laws, because they are right.
107 I have suffered very much.
    Lord, keep me alive as you have promised.
108 Lord, accept the praise I freely give you.
    Teach me your laws.
109 I keep putting my life in danger.
    But I won’t forget to obey your law.
110 Evil people have set a trap for me.
    But I haven’t wandered away from your rules.
111 Your covenant laws are your gift to me forever.
    They fill my heart with joy.
112 I have decided to obey your orders
    to the very end.

ס Samekh

113 I hate people who can’t make up their minds.
    But I love your law.
114 You are my place of safety.
    You are like a shield that keeps me safe.
    I have put my hope in your word.
115 Get away from me, you who do evil!
    Then I can do what my God commands me to do.
116 Keep me going as you have promised. Then I will live.
    Don’t let me lose all hope.
117 Take good care of me, and I will be saved.
    I will always honor your orders.
118 You turn your back on all those who wander away from your orders.
    They lie and cheat, but it doesn’t amount to anything.
119 You throw away all of the sinners on earth as if they were trash.
    So I love your covenant laws.
120 My body trembles because I have respect for you.
    I have great respect for your laws.

ע Ayin

121 I have done what is right and fair.
    So don’t leave me to those who beat me down.
122 Make sure that everything goes well with me.
    Don’t let proud people beat me down.
123 My eyes grow tired as I look to you to save me.
    Please save me as you have promised.
124 Be good to me, because you love me.
    Teach me your orders.
125 I serve you. Help me to understand what is right.
    Then I will understand your covenant laws.
126 Lord, it’s time for you to act.
    People are breaking your law.
127 I love your commands more than gold.
    I love them more than pure gold.
128 I consider all of your rules to be right.
    So I hate every path that sinners take.

פ Pe

129 Your covenant laws are wonderful.
    So I obey them.
130 When your words are made clear, they bring light.
    They bring understanding to childish people.
131 I open my mouth and pant like a dog,
    because I long to know your commands.
132 Turn to me and show me your favor.
    That’s what you’ve always done for those who love you.
133 Teach me how to live as you have promised.
    Don’t let any sin be my master.
134 Set me free from men who beat me down.
    Then I will obey your rules.
135 Let your face smile on me with favor.
    Teach me your orders.
136 Streams of tears flow from my eyes,
    because people don’t obey your law.

צ Tsadhe

137 Lord, you do what is fair.
    And your laws are right.
138 The laws you have made are fair.
    They can be completely trusted.
139 My anger is wearing me out,
    because my enemies don’t pay any attention to your words.
140 Your promises have proved to be true.
    I love them.
141 I’m not important. People look down on me.
    But I don’t forget to obey your rules.
142 You always do what is right.
    And your law is true.
143 I’ve had my share of trouble and suffering.
    But I take delight in your commands.
144 Your covenant laws are always right.
    Help me to understand them. Then I will live.

ק Qoph

145 Lord, I call out to you with all my heart.
    Answer me, and I will obey your orders.
146 I call out to you.
    Save me, and I will keep your covenant laws.
147 I get up before the sun rises. I cry out for help.
    I’ve put my hope in your word.
148 My eyes stay open all night long.
    I spend my time thinking about your promises.
149 Listen to me, because you love me.
    Lord, keep me alive as you have promised.
150 Those who think up evil plans are near.
    They have wandered far away from your law.
151 But Lord, you are near.
    All your commands are true.
152 Long ago I learned from your covenant laws
    that you made them to last forever.

ר Resh

153 Look at how I’m suffering!
    Save me, because I haven’t forgotten to obey your law.
154 Stand up for me and set me free.
    Keep me alive as you have promised.
155 Those who are evil are far from being saved.
    They don’t want to obey your orders.
156 Lord, you have deep concern for me.
    Keep me alive as you have promised.
157 Many enemies attack me.
    But I haven’t turned away from your covenant laws.
158 I get very angry when I see people who aren’t faithful to you.
    They don’t obey your word.
159 See how I love your rules!
    Lord, keep me alive, because you love me.
160 All your words are true.
    All your laws are right. They last forever.

ש Sin and Shin

161 Rulers attack me without any reason.
    But my heart trembles because of your word.
162 I’m filled with joy because of your promise.
    It’s like finding a great fortune.
163 I hate lies with a deep hatred.
    But I love your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you
    for your laws, because they are right.
165 Those who love your law enjoy great peace.
    Nothing can make them trip and fall.
166 Lord, I wait for you to save me.
    I follow your commands.
167 I obey your covenant laws,
    because I love them greatly.
168 I obey your rules and your covenant laws,
    because you know all about how I live.

ת Taw

169 Lord, may you hear my cry.
    Give me understanding, just as you said you would.
170 May you hear my prayer.
    Save me, just as you promised.
171 May my lips pour out praise to you,
    because you teach me your orders.
172 May my tongue sing about your word,
    because all of your commands are right.
173 May your hand be ready to help me,
    because I have chosen to obey your rules.
174 Lord, I long for you to save me.
    I take delight in your law.
175 Let me live so that I can praise you.
    May your laws keep me going.
176 Like a lost sheep, I’ve gone down the wrong path.
    Come and look for me,
    because I haven’t forgotten to obey your commands.