The Living Bible (195 page)
Authors: Inc. Tyndale House Publishers
Tags: #BIBLES / Other Translations / Text
O God of my praise, don’t stand silent and aloof
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while the wicked slander me and tell their lies.
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They have no reason to hate and fight me, yet they do!
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I love them, but even while I am praying for them, they are trying to destroy me.
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They return evil for good, and hatred for love.
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Show him how it feels!
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Let lies be told about him, and bring him to court before an unfair judge.
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When his case is called for judgment, let him be pronounced guilty. Count his prayers as sins.
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Let his years be few and brief; let others step forward to replace him.
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May his children become fatherless and his wife a widow; may they be evicted from the ruins of their home.
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May creditors seize his entire estate and strangers take all he has earned.
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Let no one be kind to him; let no one pity his fatherless children. May they die. May his family name be blotted out in a single generation.
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Punish the sins of his father and mother. Don’t overlook them.
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Think constantly about the evil things he has done, and cut off his name from the memory of man.
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For he refused all kindness to others, and persecuted those in need, and hounded brokenhearted ones to death.
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He loved to curse others; now you curse him. He never blessed others; now don’t you bless him.
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Cursing is as much a part of him as his clothing, or as the water he drinks, or the rich food he eats.
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Now may those curses return and cling to him like his clothing or his belt.
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This is the Lord’s punishment upon my enemies who tell lies about me and threaten me with death.
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But as for me, O Lord, deal with me as your child, as one who bears your name! Because you are so kind, O Lord, deliver me.
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I am slipping down the hill to death; I am shaken off from life as easily as a man brushes a grasshopper from his arm.
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My knees are weak from fasting, and I am skin and bones.
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I am a symbol of failure to all mankind; when they see me they shake their heads.
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Help me, O Lord my God! Save me because you are loving and kind.
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Do it publicly, so all will see that you yourself have done it.
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Then let them curse me if they like—I won’t mind that if you are blessing me! For then all their efforts to destroy me will fail, and I shall go right on rejoicing!
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Make them fail in everything they do. Clothe them with disgrace.
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But I will give repeated thanks to the Lord, praising him to everyone.
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For he stands beside the poor and hungry to save them from their enemies.
Jehovah said to my Lord the Messiah,
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“Rule as my regent—I will subdue your enemies and make them bow low before you.”
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Jehovah has established your throne
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in Jerusalem
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to rule over your enemies.
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In that day of your power your people shall come to you willingly, dressed in holy altar robes.
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And your strength shall be renewed day by day like morning dew.
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Jehovah has taken oath and will not rescind his vow that you are a priest forever like
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Melchizedek.
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God stands beside you to protect you. He will strike down many kings in the day of his anger.
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He will punish the nations and fill them with their dead. He will crush many heads.
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But he himself shall be refreshed from springs along the way.
Hallelujah! I want to express publicly before his people my heartfelt thanks to God for his mighty miracles. All who are thankful should ponder them with me.
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For his miracles demonstrate his honor, majesty, and eternal goodness.
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Who can forget the wonders he performs—deeds of mercy and of grace?
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He gives food to those who trust him; he never forgets his promises.
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He has shown his great power to his people by giving them the land of Israel, though it was the home of many nations living there.
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All he does is just and good, and all his laws are right,
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for they are formed from truth and goodness and stand firm forever.
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He has paid a full ransom for his people; now they are always free to come to Jehovah (what a holy, awe-inspiring name that is).
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How can men be wise? The only way to begin is by reverence for God. For growth in wisdom comes from obeying his laws. Praise his name forever.
Praise the Lord! For all who fear God and trust in him are blessed beyond expression. Yes, happy is the man who delights in doing his commands.
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His children shall be honored everywhere, for good men’s sons have a special heritage.
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He himself shall be wealthy, and his good deeds will never be forgotten.
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When darkness overtakes him, light will come bursting in. He is kind and merciful—
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and all goes well for the generous man who conducts his business fairly.
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Such a man will not be overthrown by evil circumstances. God’s constant care of him will make a deep impression on all who see it.
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He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen. For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him.
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That is why he is not afraid but can calmly face his foes.
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He gives generously to those in need. His deeds will never be forgotten.
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He shall have influence and honor.
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Evil-minded men will be infuriated when they see all this; they will gnash their teeth in anger and slink away, their hopes thwarted.
Hallelujah! O servants of Jehovah, praise his name.
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Blessed is his name forever and forever.
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Praise him from sunrise to sunset!
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For he is high above the nations; his glory is far greater than the heavens.
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Who can be compared with God enthroned on high?
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Far below him are the heavens and the earth; he stoops to look,
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and lifts the poor from the dirt and the hungry from the garbage dump,
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and sets them among princes!
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He gives children to the childless wife, so that she becomes a happy mother.
Hallelujah! Praise the Lord.