1
These are David's last words: The voice of the son of Jesse, the voice of the man God took to the top, Whom the God of Jacob made king, and Israel's most popular singer!
2
God's Spirit spoke through me, his words took shape on my tongue.
3
The God of Israel spoke to me, Israel's Rock-Mountain said, "Whoever governs fairly and well, who rules in the Fear-of-God,
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Is like first light at daybreak without a cloud in the sky, Like green grass carpeting earth, glistening under fresh rain.
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And this is just how my regime has been, for God guaranteed his covenant with me, Spelled it out plainly and kept every promised word - My entire salvation, my every desire.
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But the devil's henchmen are like thorns culled and piled as trash;
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Better not try to touch them; keep your distance with a rake or hoe. They'll make a glorious bonfire!
8
This is the listing of David's top men. Josheb-Basshebeth, the Tahkemonite. He was chief of the Three. He once put his spear to work against eight hundred - killed them all in a day.
9
Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite was the next of the elite Three. He was with David when the Philistines poked fun at them at Pas Dammim. When the Philistines drew up for battle, Israel retreated.