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New International Version (NIV) |
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1 I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise.
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1 I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
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2 I live and breathe God; if things aren't going well, hear this and be happy:
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2 My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
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3 Join me in spreading the news; together let's get the word out.
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3 Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.
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4 God met me more than halfway, he freed me from my anxious fears.
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4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
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5 Look at him; give him your warmest smile. Never hide your feelings from him.
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5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
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6 When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot.
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6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
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7 God's angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray.
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7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
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8 Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see - how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him.
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8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
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9 Worship God if you want the best; worship opens doors to all his goodness.
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9 Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.
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10 Young lions on the prowl get hungry, but God-seekers are full of God.
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10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
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11 Come, children, listen closely; I'll give you a lesson in God worship.
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11 Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
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12 Who out there has a lust for life? Can't wait each day to come upon beauty?
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12 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,
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13 Guard your tongue from profanity, and no more lying through your teeth.
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13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.
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14 Turn your back on sin; do something good. Embrace peace - don't let it get away!
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14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
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15 God keeps an eye on his friends, his ears pick up every moan and groan.
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15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry;
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16 God won't put up with rebels; he'll cull them from the pack.
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16 the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
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17 Is anyone crying for help? God is listening, ready to rescue you.
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17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
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18 If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there; if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath.
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18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
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19 Disciples so often get into trouble; still, God is there every time.
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19 A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;
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20 He's your bodyguard, shielding every bone; not even a finger gets broken.
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20 he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.
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21 The wicked commit slow suicide; they waste their lives hating the good.
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21 Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
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22 God pays for each slave's freedom; no one who runs to him loses out.
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22 The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.
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| Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved. (The Message Bible Online) |
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |
