140
Protect me, O Yahweh, from the evil violent mercenaries and soldiers, the shock-troops of the creditors who are always ready for war; who toss flaming projectiles and catapult boulders; who spread nets out to catch me, and who set traps to spring upon me. They have pointy tongues like serpents, and they squirt poison out of their fangs. Think about it.
Steer me clear from the wicked enemies who wish to overthrow my goings. They have positioned all manner of cords and gins along the side of the road, for me to get snared in.
Be my hard helmet in the day of battle, O Yahweh God. As for those who encompass me about, let their own mischief backfire against them. Let the speech of their lips go and twist around to their rear and trip them from behind. Let burning coals fall upon them. Let them be cast into the fire. Let them fall in a pit, and never rise again.
141
O Yahweh, help my heart to avoid inclining toward any evil thing. Lead me away from the wicked men; let me not eat of their dainties.
Let a righteous man strike me: I shall consider it a kindness. Let him scold me: it will be like a pretty bird’s song.
When the judge who is corrupt falls in a stony place, let him meet my curse against him, and taste my sweet words.
Let my enemies get tangled in their own nets, while I escape.
142
When my spirit was overwhelmed by criticism from my adversaries, those who hate me discovered the path where I was known to walk, and in secret they laid out a booby trap to ensnare me.
I looked to my right for my helper, but not a soul dared admit to knowing me; none cared for my soul. So I cried to Yahweh, saying: “You be my helper. For no one else in the land of the living will do it. Hear my complaint; I am brought very low. Deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. Release my soul from prison, so that I may praise your name: it is too hard to praise your name while I am incarcerated. And replace all these wicked enemies who encompass me: instead, let only righteous people stand by me.”
143
Listen to me, O Yahweh; do not judge me.
The enemy smote my life down to the ground. He made me dwell in darkness, as those who have been long dead. This made my heart desolate. Now I thirst for you, like dry soil thirsts for rain.”
Act fast, dear LORD, for my spirit is failing. Don’t hide your face; I will not go down to the pit.
Lift up my soul unto your bosom; embrace me; kiss me. Then set me down in a beautiful meadow. And slay my enemies.
144
Thank you, Lord Yahweh, for teaching my fists to punch, and my hands to fight.
You are my goodness, my fortress, my high tower, my shield, and the man whom I trust. You subdue the people under me.
O Yahweh, why do you concern yourself with mortals? Look at us: we are nothing. Our lifespan lasts as long as a flash of your lightning.
Bow your heavens, Yahweh, and come down here. Touch our mountains, make them smoke.
Shoot out your fireballs of brimstone, destroy the cities.
Reach your hand down from above and save me from the deep waters. And take away these strange children who are always telling lies.
Let our sons grow up like plants and become tall redwoods. Let our daughters be like polished stones in a palace.
Happy is the household that has a god like you watching over it, O Yahweh.
Fill our warehouses with feed for our animals, so that our sheep may give birth to ten thousand lambs in the street; and so that our oxen may be strong to labor. I do not like to hear my livestock complaining.
145
My mouth shall speak the praise of Yahweh; let all flesh conform likewise and praise him forever.
Yahweh performs many terrible acts. He preserves all those who love him, but all the wicked he destroys.
146
Yahweh rescues the oppressed; he gives food to the hungry; he frees the prisoners.
Yahweh opens the eyes of the blind; he straightens up those who are bowed down; he loves the righteous.
Yahweh preserves strangers, foreigners, aliens, and immigrants; he relieves the orphans and widows; but the way of the wicked he turns upside down.
147
Praise Yahweh, because to do so is attractive.
Yahweh built Eldorado. He favors outcasts, wayfarers, and passersby.
He heals broken hearts, and binds up wounds.
He numbered all the stars in the sky, and gave them all unique names.
Yahweh covered heaven with clouds. He positioned the raindrops so that they are ready to fall, when the order comes; to help the grass grow on the mountains.
He feeds all the beasts, and the young ravens that cry.
But he takes no delight in warhorses. He is not pleased by a man who has strong legs.
Praise Yahweh, O Eldorado; praise the Hairy One, O caravan.
He has filled you with peace. He has filled you with the finest of wheat.
He has communicated with us all, and his word runs very swiftly on the air.
He gives snow like wool. He scatters hoarfrost like ashes.
He casts forth his ice like shards: Who can stand before his winter?
Then he speaks one curse, and it melts everything. It makes his wind blow, and his waters gush forth.
He does the same with all nations. Praise Yahweh God.
148
Praise Yahweh, all you people who live in the heights. Praise him, winged angels.
Praise him, Army of Heaven: praise him louder! we cannot hear you.
Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, stars of light.
Praise him, outer space above the heavens. Praise him, darkness above that.
Praise him, you water droplets that fall on the earth.
Let all these things praise Yahweh and Jesus his Logos, for God spoke, and his Logos ran and did all the work, and the world was created.
These things will last forever; they shall not pass away: they are nonbiodegradable.
Praise Yahweh, you dragons, and all deeps.
Fire and hail, snow and vapors, stormy wind fulfilling his command, mountains and hills, fruitful trees, all sequoia redwoods, beasts, cattle, flying fowls, creeping insects, and human beings of the earth, praise God.
149
Praise Yahweh’s name in the dance. Let us sing praises unto him with timbrel and harp. For Yahweh takes pleasure in his people: he will beautify those who are caring and compassionate. Let the lovemakers sing aloud to him on their beds. Let high praises be in their mouth, and the double-ended rod of God in their hand.
150
Praise the god Yahweh at his high place in his Firmament of Power.
For what shall we praise him? For his mighty acts. For his excellent greatness.
With what? With trumpet, psaltery, harp, and woodblocks. Praise him by doing the waltz and the lambada to stringed instruments and organs, with loud cymbals, castanets, and a maraca.
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