The Living Bible (174 page)
Authors: Inc. Tyndale House Publishers
Tags: #BIBLES / Other Translations / Text
How dare you tell me, “Flee
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to the mountains for safety,” when I am trusting in the Lord?
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For the wicked have strung their bows, drawn their arrows tight against the bowstrings, and aimed from ambush at the people of God.
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“Law and order have collapsed,”
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we are told. “What can the righteous do but flee?”
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But the Lord is still in his holy temple; he still rules from heaven. He closely watches everything that happens here on earth.
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He puts the righteous and the wicked to the test; he hates those loving violence.
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He will rain down fire and brimstone on the wicked and scorch them with his burning wind.
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For God is good, and he loves goodness; the godly shall see his face.
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Lord! Help! Godly men are fast disappearing. Where in all the world can dependable men be found?
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Everyone deceives and flatters and lies. There is no sincerity left.
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But the Lord will not deal gently with people who act like that; he will destroy those proud liars who say, “We will lie to our heart’s content. Our lips are our own; who can stop us?”
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The Lord replies, “I will arise and defend the oppressed, the poor, the needy. I will rescue them as they have longed for me to do.”
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The Lord’s promise is sure. He speaks no careless word; all he says is purest truth, like silver seven times refined.
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O Lord, we know that you will forever preserve your own from the reach of evil men,
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although they prowl on every side and vileness is praised throughout the land.
How long will you forget me, Lord? Forever? How long will you look the other way when I am in need?
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How long must I be hiding daily anguish in my heart? How long shall my enemy have the upper hand?
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Answer me, O Lord my God; give me light in my darkness lest I die.
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Don’t let my enemies say, “We have conquered him!” Don’t let them gloat that I am down.
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But I will always trust in you and in your mercy and shall rejoice in your salvation.
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I will sing to the Lord because he has blessed me so richly.
That man is a fool who says to himself, “There is no God!” Anyone who talks like that is warped and evil and cannot really be a good person at all.
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The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who are wise, who want to please God.
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But no, all have strayed away; all are rotten with sin. Not one is good, not one!
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They eat my people like bread and wouldn’t think of praying! Don’t they really know any better?
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Terror shall grip them, for God is with those who love him.
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He is the refuge of the poor and humble when evildoers are oppressing them.
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Oh, that the time of their rescue were already here, that God would come from Zion now to save his people. What gladness when the Lord has rescued Israel!
Lord, who may go and find refuge and shelter in your tabernacle up on your holy hill?
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Anyone who leads a blameless life and is truly sincere.
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Anyone who refuses to slander others, does not listen to gossip, never harms his neighbor,
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speaks out against sin, criticizes those committing it, commends the faithful followers of the Lord, keeps a promise even if it ruins him,
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does not crush his debtors with high interest rates, and refuses to testify against the innocent despite the bribes offered him—such a man shall stand firm forever.
Save me, O God, because I have come to you for refuge.
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I said to him, “You are my Lord; I have no other help but yours.”
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I want the company of the godly men and women in the land; they are the true nobility.
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Those choosing other gods shall all be filled with sorrow; I will not offer the sacrifices they do or even speak the names of their gods.
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The Lord himself is my inheritance, my prize. He is my food and drink, my highest joy! He guards all that is mine.
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He sees that I am given pleasant brooks and meadows as my share!
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What a wonderful inheritance!
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I will bless the Lord who counsels me; he gives me wisdom in the night. He tells me what to do.
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I am always thinking of the Lord; and because he is so near, I never need to stumble or fall.
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Heart, body, and soul are filled with joy.
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For you will not leave me among the dead; you will not allow your beloved one to rot in the grave.
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You have let me experience the joys of life and the exquisite pleasures of your own eternal presence.
I am pleading for your help, O Lord; for I have been honest and have done what is right, and you must listen to my earnest cry!
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Publicly acquit me, Lord, for you are always fair.
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You have tested me and seen that I am good. You have come even in the night and found nothing amiss and know that I have told the truth.
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I have followed your commands and have not gone along with cruel and evil men.
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My feet have not slipped from your paths.
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Why am I praying like this? Because I know you will answer me, O God! Yes, listen as I pray.
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Show me your strong love in wonderful ways, O Savior of all those seeking your help against their foes.
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Protect me as you would the pupil of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings as you hover over me.
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My enemies encircle me with murder in their eyes.
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They are pitiless and arrogant. Listen to their boasting.
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They close in upon me and are ready to throw me to the ground.
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They are like lions eager to tear me apart, like young lions hiding and waiting their chance.
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Lord, arise and stand against them. Push them back! Come and save me from these men of the world whose only concern is earthly gain—these men whom you have filled with your treasures so that their children and grandchildren are rich and prosperous.
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But as for me, my contentment is not in wealth but in seeing you and knowing all is well between us. And when I awake in heaven, I will be fully satisfied, for I will see you face-to-face.